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39-526: With a total area of 1,980 square kilometres (760 square miles), Gipuzkoa is the smallest province of Spain . The province has 89 municipalities and a population of 720,592 inhabitants (2018), from which more than half live in the Donostia-San Sebastián metropolitan area . Apart from the capital, other important cities are Irun , Errenteria , Zarautz , Mondragón , Eibar , Hondarribia , Oñati , Tolosa , Beasain and Pasaia . Gipuzkoa

78-402: A karstic lithological appearance, i.e. parts of the calcareous ( calcium carbonate , limestone) rock outcrops have been dissolved away in water. Left behind are limestone pavements—areas where the limestone has formed etched, pitted or fluted rock pinnacles and ridges between which are deep grooves, sinkholes or dolinas, caves, underground rivers, and gullies. An example, now open to

117-673: A Catholic province, its patron saints are the Society of Jesus ' Ignatius of Loyola , a native of this province born in the neighborhood of Loyola ( Azpeitia ), and Our Lady of Arantzazu . The region has produced many famous Basque athletes for example: Jose Maria Olazabal (golfer), José Ángel Iribar , Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso (footballers), Abraham Olano and Domingo Perurena (cyclists), Edurne Pasaban and Alberto Iñurrategi (mountaineers), Iñaki Urdangarin (handball player), Maite Zúñiga (runner) and Paulino Uzcudun (boxer). Professional tennis player Garbiñe Muguruza 's father

156-494: A deal about the definitive layout was struck. In January 2010, following a scheme drawn up by the regional government of Gipuzkoa to improve provisions for the ever-increasing road traffic, the Maltzaga-Urbina AP-1 motorway stretch leading to Gasteiz was completed, providing likewise access to the industrial areas of Arrasate and Bergara , the gateway to Álava by village Landa. AP-1 and N-1 E-5 are connected by

195-788: A highway east to west from Bergara and Beasain . European traffic to south of Spain avoids Donostia 's metropolitan area by means of the southern outer road ring. The AVE high-speed rail is currently under construction, with an Y-type layout and links to the SNCF network in Hendaia (NE), Vitoria (SE), Bilbao (W) and Pamplona (S) to be completed by 2022. Contractors were appointed, works are in place although past schedule, while strong opposition (ecologists, Basque leftist nationalists,...) and serious financial tensions made its future uncertain. The only airport in Gipuzkoa serving just domestic flights

234-520: A local mythology of legends, folk beliefs and tales, which is dependent on the nature of the landscape has emerged. The ethnographer and historian, José Miguel de Barandiarán, was born in the local town, Ataun. Also called 'Aralarko San Migel Santutegia' and 'Santuario de San Miguel de Aralar' in Spanish, San Miguel is a Romanesque church located in the southern part of the range near the town of Uharte-Arakil and Mount Altxueta (1343m). Records about

273-520: A visitor centre marks the park's main entrance. It operates in the former miquelete (Gipuzkoan military police) barracks. The Aia hamlet (access via Aia road, NA120) nestles on the southern slopes of the range. The range is mountainous with large limestone massifs (formations resulting from movement of the Earth's crust into faults and flexures). This is typical of the Basque region . The range has

312-596: Is a mountain range in the Basque Mountains of the Southern Basque Country . The part of the range lying in Gipuzkoa was established as a conservation area called Aralar Natural Park in 1994. In addition to its natural features, scenery, recreational use and habitation, the range is home to a number of Basque mythology milestones and legends. The Basque word, 'Aralar' may stem from

351-461: Is a conservation area on the border of Gipuzkoa and Navarre in the Aralar Range . The rivers of Gipuzkoa are distinctly different from other Bay of Biscay rivers. They arise in the hilly Basque inland landscape ( Basque Mountains ), flow in a south- north direction, forming close, narrow valleys before joining the ocean. The rivers extend for a short length with only a small fluctuation in

390-468: Is a simple fascia and no capitals. The church has three apses at the atrium, three barrel vaulted naves and a central polygonal dome. The altar front, featuring Our Lady, is enamelled. Nearby, in a grotto, there is a 12th-century shrine to San Miguel. Legend holds that in a case of mistaken identity a crusader knight, the lord Teodosio of Goni, accidentally killed his own parents. In penance, he chained himself alone on Mount Aralar. An apparition dedicated to

429-568: Is also a native of Gipuzkoa. List of Spanish provinces by area This is a list of the provinces of Spain by population and area. All provinces and islands of Spain by GDP and GDP per capita in 2015. (in mil. of Euro) (mil. of US$ PPP) capita (in Euro) capita (in US$ PPP) Aralar Natural Park The Aralar Range ( Basque pronunciation: [aˈɾalar] )

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468-417: Is apparent, including traditional dances and singing, bertsolaritza , trikiti and txistu music, baserris dotting the rural landscape, town festivals, and its signature heavy sculptures (stone, steel, iron) from the industrial tradition, all blending with the latest Basque, Spanish and international pop culture events and design trends centred in major urban areas ( Donostia , Tolosa, etc.). Traditionally

507-547: Is the San Sebastian Airport located in Hondarribia , while the air transportation needs are usually served by the nearby Bilbao and Biarritz airports. Gipuzkera , a dialect of the Basque language spoken in most of the region, shows a considerable vitality and holds a prominent position among other dialects. A 2021 survey found that 51.8% of the population spoke Basque. The Basque cultural element

546-463: Is the province of the Basque Country in which the Basque language is the most extensively used since 49.1% of its population spoke Basque in 2006. The first recorded name of the province was Ipuscoa in a document from the year 1025. During the following years, and in various documents, several similar names appear, such as Ipuzcoa , Ipuçcha , Ipuzka , among others. The full etymology

585-648: The Royal Academy of the Basque Language , and it is commonly used in official documents in that language. The Basque spelling is also mandatory in official texts from the various Spanish public administrations, even in documents written in Spanish. It is the spelling most frequently used by the Spanish-language media in the Basque Country . It is also the spelling used in the Basque version of

624-720: The Spanish constitution and in the Basque version of the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country . Gipuzkoa is also the only official spelling approved for the historical territory by the Juntas Generales of the province. Guipúzcoa is the spelling in Spanish, and it has been determined by the Association of Spanish Language Academies as being the only correct use outside official Spanish documents in which

663-471: The Atlantic basin. The historical population is given in the following chart: Gipuzkoa has an oceanic climate , characterized by its low variation in temperature, with cool summers, moderate winters and abundant rain throughout the year. The climate promotes the growth of lush vegetation. The area is windy for most of the year with those from the north-northwest bringing significant moisture from

702-697: The Basque spelling is mandatory. It is also the Spanish spelling used in the Spanish version of the Constitution and in the Spanish version of the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country. At 1,980 km (764 sq mi) Gipuzkoa is the smallest province in Spain . The province has 88 municipalities and 709,607 inhabitants (2011), a quarter of whom live in the capital, San Sebastián . Other important towns are Irun , Errenteria , Zarautz , Arrasate , Oñati with an old university, Eibar , Tolosa which

741-484: The Bilbao-Behobia A-8 E-70 motorway had been completed, with the new road cutting across the valleys east to west and turning into the main axis between Donostia and Bilbao, besides enabling heavy load traffic to access the west and south of Spain as a toll road. The regional railway network Euskotren Trena also follows along the coast from east to west, while it proves impractical for long distance on

780-860: The Karst geological forms, some waterways are underground . The waterways contribute to the economy of the region, for example, in the production of hydroelectric power. The Basque region, generally, has a temperate oceanic climate. The climate of the Aralar range transitions between the Eastern Cantabrian climate of Gipuzkoa and the Continental-Mediterranean climate of the Barranca corridor ( Navarre ). The mountains, however, do create their own micro-climate with more intense rainfall and greater cloud cover. Mists can make hiking in

819-706: The Oyarzun, the Urumea, the Oria, the Urola and the Deva. Their agricultural utility, as a consequence of the rainfall, is minimal, although they have been the basis of an industry that has ended up contaminating its waters. The predominant vegetation, also conditioned by the climate, is the boreal forest, with deciduous species that alternate with meadows. The region's communication layout is in step with its geographical features, with

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858-589: The archangel Michael appeared and released him. The apparition left an image, a figure with a glass (or crystal) head and face and a helmet adorned with a cross. The image was disfigured by the French in 1797. In the park there is also the Our Lady of Remedios Hermitage. There are a number of trails, landmarks and unique destinations in the ranges. The karst features are suitable for caving. Between May and November, livestock, especially latxa sheep which provide

897-583: The church date from the 11th century (1032) and it contributes to the history of Christianity in northern Spain—San Miguel is an iconic and one of the oldest saints of the Basques. The chapel was built by the lord of Goñi and consecrated 1098. However, there was an earlier 9th century structure on the same site in the Carolingian style. After a fire in the 10th century, the church was rebuilt with two aisles. The pillars are cruciform (one round). There

936-591: The coast. Currently, the main road cutting through Gipuzkoa largely follows that layout, i.e. the N-1 E-5 from Irun to Donostia and on to Altsasu all along the Oria River for the most part (gateway to Navarre through the pass of Etxegarate). Also, the major Irun-Madrid railway runs close to the river up to its very origin on the slopes of Aizkorri at train stop Otzaurte in Zegama . By 1973 engineering works for

975-539: The element of ruggedness of the range. Two examples are the Txindoki relief and the Ataun dome structure. Sandstone is found to the north and south of the range. Glaciated areas with small frontal moraines at one to two km from the cirque have been found. Many streams originate in the range. Between the peaks, there are four large basins: Agauntza , Zaldibia , Ibiur and Amezketa in which streams can form. Due to

1014-641: The grounds of its tortuous layout and as it serves small towns. The railway network reaches the border town Hendaia before it changes to SNCF . Within the Donostialdea region, the San Sebastián Metro provides service. The stretch of the A-15 motorway serving Gipuzkoa and Pamplona opened in 1995 embroiled in controversy under protest and an attack campaign led by ecologists, Basque leftist nationalists and eventually ETA. Conflict resolved after

1053-656: The main lines of infrastructure along a north -south axis up to recent times along the rivers heading to the ocean. Accordingly, the inland Way of St. James , i.e. the Tunnel Route penetrated the province via Irun and turned south-west along the Oria River towards the provincial limits at the tunnel of San Adrian. This stretch was in operation up to 1765 when the Royal Road moved to the western Deba Valley. A minor St. James route crossed Gipuzkoa east to west along

1092-436: The milk for Idiazabal cheese, dairy cattle and a herd of wild horses, graze in the park's public pastures. Although the ranges are generally uninhabited, some people of Aralar follow a nomadic life, tending their animals. Through the summer months, the sheep graze in the higher terrain. Pastoral huts have been built in these areas for shepherds. The animals winter near the villages. Approximately 5112 people live in villages in

1131-464: The ocean. Rainfall is abundant due to the wind direction and hilly region of the province, with rainfall ranging between 1200 and 1700 mm per year. Cloud cover is also high. The climate is oceanic, with few thermal fluctuations and abundant rainfall (1400 mm per year). The rainfall and relief have a hydrography defined by rivers of short length, although large and regular; The main ones are the Bidasoa,

1170-522: The park more dangerous. Megalithic monuments indicate prehistoric habitation of the range. These monuments include tumuli , stone circles and menhirs . There are 17 on the Gipuzkoan side and 44 on the Navarrese side of the range. Archaeological evidence suggests Neolithic pastoralism. For example, primary forests, now restricted to the fringes of the range have been replaced by pastures. Also,

1209-471: The part of Gipuzkoans. Some mountains have an emblematic or iconic significance in the local tradition, their summits being topped with crosses, memorials and mountaineer postboxes. In addition, pilgrimages which have gradually lost their former religious zeal and taken on a more secular slant are sometimes held to their summits. Some renowned mountains are Aiako Harria , Hernio , Txindoki , Aizkorri and Izarraitz , amongst others. The Aralar Natural Park

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1248-474: The public, is the cavern of Mendukillo in the village of Astitz . This cracked, permeable geologic milieu has provided the perfect grounds for a wide range of mythological accounts and characters. The materials that dominate are clay , marl , sandstone and limestone . Except for quaternary period coatings, all the materials are from the Jurassic and Cretaceous eras. The original limestone reefs create

1287-501: The range include griffons , Egyptian vultures , golden eagles , and bearded vultures , Alpine choughs , wood pigeons and black woodpeckers . The range is known for its beech forests. In times past, beech pollards have been used to make charcoal. There are also groves of rowan and hawthorne and Cantabrian holm oak. This plateau feature is created by the peaks of Jentilbaratza, Aizkoate, Aizkorrandi, Arastortz, Agautz, Leizadi, Asundi, Loibideko Mailoak and Ikarandieta. Txindoki

1326-465: The range; Abaltzisketa (290), Amezketa (1075), Ataun (1822), Zaldibia (1696) and Bedaio (229). They work in agriculture, in industries in larger towns and in tourism. Animals of the range include European mink , roe deer , wild boar and various small and medium mammals such as Pyrenean desmans and the European snow voles . There are amphibians such as the alpine newts . The varieties of birds of

1365-523: The two provinces. Pamplona lies approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the south east. The Spanish coastline at the Cantabrian Sea (the southern Bay of Biscay ) and the town of San Sebastian are approximately the same distance to the north north-east. The border between Spain and France is approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi) to the north-east. Villages located at the foot of the range include Beasain , Arbizu and Ataun. At Lizarrusti,

1404-460: The volume of water thanks to the stable rainfall all year round, and they show an abrupt drop between origin and mouth as far as the length of the river is concerned. From west to east the rivers are the Deba , Urola , Oria , Urumea , Oiartzun and Bidasoa . Except for a narrow strip extending east from the hamlet Otzaurte ( Zegama ) and the tunnel of San Adrian , the province drains its waters to

1443-412: The word Gipuzkoa has not been fully ascertained, but links have been made with the Basque word Giputz , containing the root ip- which is related to the word ipar (north), ipurdi (back) and ipuin (tale). According to this, ipuzko (one of the several first known denominations) might refer to something "to the north" or "in the north". Gipuzkoa is the Basque spelling recommended by

1482-417: The words '(h)aran', meaning 'valley' and 'larre', meaning 'graze-land'. In Spanish , the range is also called Sierra de Aralar . The range covers 20,800 hectares (208 km ). 10,971 hectares (109.71 km ) is conservation area. The range is located in the Basque Country of northern Spain, straddling the boundaries of south-eastern Gipuzkoa and north-western Navarre . The range effectively separates

1521-480: Was the provincial capital for a short time, Beasain , Pasaia , the main port and Hondarribia , an old fort town across from the French Atlantic coast. Gipuzkoa is hilly and green linking mountain and sea, and heavily populated with numerous urban nuclei that dot the whole territory. The conspicuous presence of hills and rugged terrain has added to a special leaning towards hiking , nature and mountains on

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