Galdames
Galdames | |
|---|---|
 View from Serantes | |
 Coat of arms | |
  Galdames Location of Galdames within the Basque Country | |
| Coordinates: 43°15′18″N 3°5′47″W / 43.25500°N 3.09639°W | |
| Country | Spain |
| Autonomous community | Basque Country |
| Province | Biscay |
| Comarca | Enkarterri |
| Government | |
| • Alcalde | Carlos Avellanal Villanueva (EAJ-PNV) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 44.36 km2 (17.13 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 166 m (545 ft) |
| Population (2018)[1] | |
| • Total | 829 |
| • Density | 19/km2 (48/sq mi) |
| Demonym | galdamestarra |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 48191 |
| Official language(s) | Basque, Spanish |
| Website | Official website |
 | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Basque. (June 2010) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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Galdames (Basque pronunciation: [ɡaldames̺]) is a town, valley, and municipality located in the Biscay province of the autonomous community of Basque Country, Spain.
Main sights are Santa Maria Magdalena and Arenaza caves, both situated in Triano mountain range and the latter containing stalactites and rest of mining operations. Medieval Tower of Loizaga is located in Concejuelo ward, nowadays site of a museum of classic automobiles.[2]
History
The town of Galdames was first mentioned in a document dating to 1214. During the Middle Ages, Galdames was the home of various important lords and their families. The towers of the local Loizaga, Atxurriaga and Larrea people bear witness to this.
The Council of Galdames claimed the right to be a member of the Lordship of Biscay, which it received in 1672. In 1740 the council separated from the Lordship of Biscay before rejoining in 1800.
During the First Carlist War, the followers of Baldomero Espartero burned the forests surrounding San Pedro Galdames. From the 19th to mid-20th centuries, the town prospered due to the mineral wealth located beneath the valley.
In 1946, a group of Maquis returned from the Cantabrian mountains to Bizkaia and constructed a sheltered in the cave of Uraiaga and the surrounding mines.[3]
Geography
The municipality of Galdames is centred around the valley of Galdames, a WNW-ESE oriented valley which lies within the Basque Mountains. Notable peaks overlooking the valley include Pico Mayor to the northeast, Ganeran to the east, Luxar to the south, and Larrea to the southwest.
Galdames Creek flows north-westward through the valley before meeting the Barbadun River in Montellano. From there, the Barbadun River flows northward into Muskiz.
Demography
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 2,886 | — |
| 1910 | 3,856 | +33.6% |
| 1920 | 3,854 | −0.1% |
| 1930 | 3,335 | −13.5% |
| 1940 | 3,022 | −9.4% |
| 1950 | 2,312 | −23.5% |
| 1960 | 1,892 | −18.2% |
| 1970 | 1,249 | −34.0% |
| 1981 | 812 | −35.0% |
| 1991 | 799 | −1.6% |
| 2001 | 799 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 851 | +6.5% |
| 2021 | 831 | −2.4% |
| Source: [citation needed] | ||
Despite being located west of Biscay near Bilbao, Galdames didn't have the same population growth that other municipalities in the area - such as Barakaldo, Sestao, and Portugalete - had during the second half of the 20th century. Contrary to regional trends, the population of Galdames declined significantly between 1920 and 1981 before stabilizing.
As of 2021, Galdames has a population of 831, which is only about 21.6% of its population in 1920.
Neighborhoods
Galdames is administratively divided into 8 neighborhoods or wards, with San Pedro Galdames being the most populous:[4]
- Atxuriaga (La Aceña)
- Concejuelo
- Humaran
- Larrea
- Montellano
- San Esteban Galdames
- San Pedro Galdames
- Txabarri
References
- ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
- ^ Ainhoa Arozamena & Manu Castaño. "Auñamendi Encyclopedia: Galdames" (in Spanish). Eusko Ikaskuntza. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
- ^ Makiak Boluetan (1946)
- ^ Euskaltzaindia. "Euskal Onomastikaren Datutegia (EODA): Galdames" (in Basque). Euskaltzaindia. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
External links
Media related to Galdames at Wikimedia Commons
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