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Despite the
fact that over
the last few
years, the
shoals of the
Cantabrian Sea
have been
depleted
somewhat, more
than half of
the coastal
village's
populations
still make
their living
from the sea.
A large part
of the catch
is still
caught with
hook and
sinker and as
any fish
expert will
tell you, this
is the only
way to
guarantee the
freshest of
fish. Tourism
has taken a
hold of the
area but has
yet to spoil
the area.
Great measures
have been
taken to
preserve the
beauty of the
coastline. |
Nature
Mountains
with
high
peaks,
perpetual
snow,
lakes
and
narrow
passes
are
provided
by
the
Picos
de
Europa,
just
40km
from
the
coast.
As
you
head
for
the
valleys
inland
of
the
mountains,
you
come
across
vast
green
and
forested
areas.
On
the
coast
where
the
scenery
becomes
more
intense
you
will
find
an
almost
never-ending
line
of
beaches
and
cliffs.
The
region
has
some
of
Spain's
best
natural
parks.
The
mountains
known
as
the
Picos
de
Europa
stand
towering
over
a
region
of
fast
flowing
rivers,
vast
orchards
and
tiny
farmhouses.
Inland
the
area
is
rich
in
minerals.
Oviedo,
the
capital
of
Asturias
is
home
to
about
200,000
people
and
is
known
for
its
university
and
its
industry.
The
beauty
of
the
area
is
envied
by
many
Spanish
city
dwellers. |
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History
Asturias is a prehistoric land as the many cave paintings illustrate and was inhabited by the Iron-age Celtic tribes who fought off the Romans and the Moors. It was in Asturias that the first proper resistance to the Moors began. The whole region is scattered with impressive historical sites and monuments, many of them pre-Romanesque. A fine example is the Cathedral in Oviedo, built during the 15th and 16th century, a magnificent example of late Gothic architecture.
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Sports
The variety of
sporting
activities
here is huge,
from fishing
to horse
riding and
hiking,
climbing to
skiing and
white-water
sports. There
are also many
good golf
courses. Green
Spain is fast
becoming a new
industry in
itself in the
form of Éco-tourism´.
Freshwater
fishing
particularly
for trout and
salmon is
excellent in
the many
rivers, lakes
and
reservoirs.
Sailing,
windsurfing
and skin
diving can be
practiced
anywhere along
the coast and
yacht harbours
such as that
at Gijon are
particularly
good. |
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Gastronomy
Asturian
cooking is
well known for
its fine and
simple
ingredients.
The best known
dishes include
la fabada
(stew made
from large
beans).
Seafood from
the Bay of
Biscay
features
highly in the
menu, as do a
number of
locally
produced
cheeses, all
washed down
with locally
produced
cider. |
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The local
tourist office
can be
contacted on
(+34) 985 213
385.
Pre-historic
sites to see
There are many
pre-historic
sites worthy
of a visit
throughout
Asturias,
especially in
the east of
the region,
around Cangas
de Onís and
Llanes. The
Bustillo Cave
in Ribadesella,
La Peña Cave
in San Roman
de Candamo and
the Llonín
Cave in
Peñamellera
feature some
excellent cave
paintings. The
tourist board
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