Asturias is part of the central north coast and is backed by
the spectacular Picos de Europa, a group of mountains that straddles
Asturias and neighbouring Cantabria. Asturias is a rural region
where cottage crafts are kept alive in villages in remote mountain
valleys and forested foothills. The Christian kingdom of Asturias
was founded in the 8th century when many pre-Romanesque churches
were built around the capital Oviedo, some still stand today.
The Costa Verde or "Green Coast" is aptly named with
attractive sandy coves ideal for bathing , dramatic cliffs and
pretty fishing villages, while inland are lush meadows, eucalyptus
and pine forests backed by mountains offering rock climbing and
hiking. The area is home to rare species of flora and fauna.
Gijon is situated along the Asturian
coast and close to the other main Asturian cities, Oviedo and
Aviles. The A-66 motorway, A-8 and the AS-1 are the main highway
accesses. By train, Gijon has a daily service to Madrid, La Coruna,
Santander, and Barcelona.
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Gijon is a coastal industrial city
and major seaport exporting large quantities of coal and iron.
It was an important regional Roman city, although the area has
been settled since earliest history. The name was originally
applied to a small peninsula presently referred to as Cimadevilla,
the sailor's quarter, literally "top of village," between
two beaches, one of which has a recreational port today. The
main port, one of the largest in the north of Spain, is called
"El Musel". In the city there are Roman baths, 14th,
15th and 16th century palaces and a 15th century church to visit.
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