Galicia (Spain)

Coordinates: 42°30′N 8°06′W / 42.5°N 8.1°W / 42.5; -8.1
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Galicia
Galiza  (Galician)
Flag of Galicia
Coat-of-arms of Galicia
Map of Galicia
Location of Galicia in Iberia
Coordinates: 42°30′N 8°06′W / 42.5°N 8.1°W / 42.5; -8.1
Country Spain
CapitalSantiago de Compostela
ProvincesA Coruña, Lugo, Ourense, and Pontevedra
Government
 • TypeDevolved government in a constitutional monarchy
 • BodyXunta de Galicia
 • PresidentAlberto Núñez Feijóo (PPdeG)

Galicia or Galiza is a nationality in Spain that became a Spanish autonomous community in 1978. It is in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It shares borders with Portugal to the South and the communities of Castile and León and Asturias to the east.

History[change | change source]

Galicia is a green country with Celtic features. Since re-gaining autonomy in 1978, Galicia has been governed by the Xunta de Galicia (government of Galicia). Galicia was strictly governed from 1990 until 2005, during the Manuel Fraga years. The Xunta de Galicia was then under a socialist president Emilio Perez Touriño, who had made Galicia more liberal than ever before, until 2009. From March 2009 Partido Popular (right-wing party) won power and the new president is Alberto Núñez Feijoo, who won a second term as president in 2012.

Language[change | change source]

Galicia has one main language:Galician "galego". It has many similarities with Portuguese. Galego and Portuguese have the same origin. Spanish is also spoken in Galicia, but mainly as a second language.

Cuisine[change | change source]

Galicia is very famous for its fishing industry and seafood remains an important part of its cuisine. A very popular dish in Galicia is polbo á feira, ("polbo" means octopus). There are many restaurants that serve seafood in Galicia.