Pontevedra

:"For other meanings, see Pontevedra (disambiguation)."Spanish city

---

image_skyline_size = 285px
image_skyline_caption =
native_name = Pontevedra
spanish_name = Pontevedra
nickname =
city_motto = Pontevedra boa vila
city_motto_means = The good town of Pontevedra


image_flag_size = 115px
image_coat_of_arms = Escudo_de_Pontevedra.svg
image_coat_of_arms_size = 90px
image_city_

image_city_map_size = 280px
image_city_map_caption = Location of Pontevedra
lat_long = 42°26'1.03"N 8°38'52.99"W
time_zone = UCT +1
time_zone_summer = UCT +2
founded = circa 1stC BC
native_language = Galician
community = Galicia
community_link = Galicia (Spain)
province = Pontevedra
province_link = Pontevedra (province)
comarca = Pontevedra
comarca_link = Pontevedra (region)
divisions =
neighborhoods =
mayor = Miguel Anxo Fernández Lores
political_party = BNG
political_party_link = Bloque Nacionalista Galego
area = 118.3
altitude = 20
population = 80,202
date-population = 2007
population-ranking =
density = 677.9
date-density = 2007
website = http://www.pontevedra.eu/
postal_code = 36002, 36003
area_code = 986

Pontevedra is a city in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of both the "comarca" (county) and province of Pontevedra, in Galicia (Spain). It is also the capital of its own municipality which is, in fact, often considered as an extension of the actual city. Pontevedra is the provincial district court seat.

Geography

Location and subdivisions

The municipality of Pontevedra is located between 42°20' and 42°30' north and 8°33' and 8°41' west, in the southwestern Galician coast, an area popularly known as "Rias Baixas". The municipality covers 118.3 km² and is about 20 km wide from north to south.

The city sits at the end of the ria that bears its name, occupying the valleys of the Lérez and Tomeza rivers. It extends southwards to the mouth of river Verdugo in Ponte Sampaio. It is surrounded by four mountainous regions divided by two faults, one stretching north-south and one from northeast to southwest.

To the north it borders the municipalities of Barro, Moraña and Campo Lameiro; to the east, Cotobade and Ponte Caldelas; to the south, Soutomaior, Vilaboa and Marín, and to the west, Poio and the ria, leading to the Atlantic Ocean.

The parishes of Pontevedra are: Alba, Bora, Campañó, A Canicouva, Cerponzóns, Lérez, Lourizán, Marcón, Mourente, Ponte Sampaio, Pontevedra e Eiriña, Salcedo, San Xosé, Santa María de Xeve, Tomeza, Verducido, Virxe do Camiño, Xeve.

The neighbourhoods or main areas of Pontevedra are: O Burgo, Monteporreiro, Campolongo, Mollabao, A Seca, Salgueiriños, A Parda, Eduardo Pondal. A Caeira, although officially located in the municipality of Poio, is often considered as just another neighbourhood of Pontevedra.

Climate

The climate is temperate Atlantic Oceanic.

The average temperature is 15°C, with a yearly oscillation of 10°C (10°C of average in January for minimum, to 20°C average in July for maximum). Its proximity to the sea and, most importantly, the calming effect of the ria, make temperatures pleasant for most of the year. Yet, like all the Galician coast, Pontevedra is subject to occasional Atlantic storms in Winter. These are characterised by a quick drop in temperature, rain and gales.

Overall Pontevedra is rainy, especially at the end of Autumn and Winter, with an annual average precipitation of 1,700-1,900 mm, and around 102 rainy days per year. Summer is dry generally speaking, but the odd rain may happen. [ [http://www.meteogalicia.es/galego/observacion/informesclima/informesclima.asp "Meteogalicia"] (Galician Meteorological Centre). Access date 29 September 2008]

Population

The municipality of Pontevedra is composed of the city of Pontevedra and fifteen rural parishes in close proximity, with a total population of 80,202 (as of June 2007). [http://ige.eu/igebdt/esq.jsp?paxina=002003001&c=-1&ruta=fichas%2Fbdmunicipal_tablas.jsp%3FESP%3D36038 Statistical Profile for Pontevedra (municipality)] , from the Galician Institute of Statistics. Access date 18 Sept. 2008] This results in a relative high density of population of 677.9 inhabitants per square kilometre. About two-thirds of the population live in the city, and one-third in the rural parishes.

The population of Pontevedra is mature where generational replacement is not necessarily assured, although the city has been slowly but gradually growing in recent years. In the breakdown it shows 15.93% of senior citizens, 69% between 15 and 65 years, and just 15.01% under the 15 years of age. The natality rate (9.8‰) is only +1.8 over the mortality rate (8‰). The migrational balance is slightly positive (+350 people in 2006).

* Elected Mayor: Fernández Lores (BNG).

* Elected Mayor: Fernández Lores (BNG).

Health, education and culture

Pontevedra is well provided with quality private and public clinics and health centres, where the Montecelo Hospital [Hospital Montecelo de Pontevedra, Mourente s/n, 36071 Pontevedra, Galicia. Ph ([phone]] stands out as the largest health centre in the "comarca" and one of the largest in the province. This hospital is renowned by its oncology department. Public health is regulated by the Galician Health Service ("Servizo Galego de Saúde" [http://www.sergas.eu - SERGAS] ).

The city houses a number of university departments, acting as a branch of the University of Vigo. [ [http://guiacomunicacion.xunta.es/node/1243 Pontevedra Campus] , of the University of Vigo] [ [http://www.uvigo.es/centros/index.gl.htm University of Vigo] , listing of campuses and departments] Namely these are: Nursing, Forestry Technical Engineering [http://www.forestales.uvigo.es/] , Physiotherapy [http://webs.uvigo.es/webeuf/] , [http://webs.uvigo.es/feduc/ Educational Sciences and Sport] , [http://www.csc.uvigo.es/ Social, Media and Communication Sciences] . Yet, many come to Pontevedra to complete their studies in Fine Arts [http://webs.uvigo.es/belasartes/home.html] , as this is the only location in Galicia where this discipline can be studied at university level.

Pontevedra also hosts a branch of the Spanish national distance university, the UNED. [ [http://www.uned.es/ca-pontevedra/ UNED - Pontevedra Campus] ] The city has its own Official School of Languages ( [http://centros.edu.xunta.es/eoidepontevedra/ EOI Pontevedra] ), regulated by the Galician Department of Education. [http://www.edu.xunta.es/portal]

Cultural infrastructure in Pontevedra is mainly represented by two venues: The "Teatro Principal", in the old town, with a capacity of 434 seated spectators; [http://www.turgalicia.es/sit/ficha_datos.asp?ordRs=2&ctre=&crec=15951&full=S&cidi=I&premium=] and the Auditorium-Congress Hall, a modern complex composed by an auditorium with capacity for 772 seated people, a large congress hall, and a number of meeting rooms and smaller halls. [http://www.turgalicia.es/sit/ficha_datos.asp?ordRs=2&ctre=&crec=15950&full=S&cidi=I&premium=] In addition, every year the City Council organises a series of free, open and public activities, such as a Jazz festival [http://www.jazzpontevedra.com] , open air cinema sessions, a medieval fair reenactment, [ [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7307273595531677921 Video of the "Feira Franca"] (medieval fair recreation in Pontevedra). Access date 20 Sept. 2008. Approx. running time 22 minutes] and other festivities that normally take place in the streets and public squares of the old town.

ights

An ancient town and medieval port, Pontevedra has been described as a "definitive old Galician town". Sights include the pilgrim chapel in the "Praza da Peregrina", the historic "Zona Monumental" (old city), the "Praza de Leña", the market, and the "Alameda", a promenade along the ria. Pontevedra has a large pedestrian centre (the old town and surroundings) which, together with a number of parks and public squares, makes the city quite pleasant for strolling. In recent years most historical buildings and streets have been either re-built or revamped, providing for a well preserved urban landscape.

ports

Despite its relative small size, Pontevedra has a long sporting tradition, with a number of teams competing professionally in different categories. For example:

* Football: "Pontevedra CF", playing in the Spanish "Second B" division.
* Handball: "SD Teucro", playing in the Spanish Liga ASOBAL (first division). There is also a minor handball team called "BM Cisne".
* Indoor football: "Leis", playing in the Spanish second division of the Spanish indoor football professional league (LNFS).
* Rugby: "Mareantes", playing in group A of the Spanish first division.
* Volleyball: "C. Durán" (amateur).
* Waterpolo: "CN Pontevedra", playing in the Galician Waterpolo League.
* Fencing: "Club Escola Hungaresa de Esgrima de Pontevedra", founded in 2007, this is the only fencing club in Galicia specialised in sabre. Members of this club compete regularly in the Galician leagues and in the Spanish Sabre Championship.

Pontevedra is the seat of the "Centro Galego de Tecnificación Deportiva" (High Performance Sporting Centre of Galicia), and it also hosts a number of rowing and canoeing clubs. In fact, world and Olympic canoeing champion David Cal used to train in the ria of Pontevedra.

Twinnings

Pontevedra is twinned with [ [http://www.secri.salvador.ba.gov.br/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=47 SECRI, Salvador da Bahia] ] [ [http://www.igadi.org/ti/005/os_irmanamentos_dos_concellos_de_galicia.htm List of sister cities of Galician municipalities (by IGADI)] ]

* Merlo, Argentina
* Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
* San José, Costa Rica
* Nafpaktos, Greece
* Barcelos, Portugal
* Gondomar, Portugal
* Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal

Local celebrities

* Paio Gomes Charinho (1225-1295), poet and troubadour.
* Pedro Mariño de Lobeira (1528-1594), "conquistador" and chronicler of the Arauco War in the Kingdom of Chile.
* Xoán Manuel Pintos Villar (1811-1876), writer, author and editor of the first publication in modern Galician.
* Perfecto Feijoo (1858-1935), medical doctor and musician.
* Manuel Portela Valladares (1867-1952), politician.
* A.D.R. Castelao (1886-1950), writer, artist and politician, often considered as the most influential figure in Galician contemporary history. Although he was not born in Pontevedra, Castelao expressed a clear wish to be considered an "adoptive son of the city" and to be buried there. [ [http://www.concellopontevedra.eu/castelao-pontevedra/ruta.html Castelao in a letter to the President of the Pontevedra Centre in Buenos Aires, 1947] ]
* Manuel Varela Radío (1873-1962), medical doctor and academic.
* Valentín Paz Andrade (1898-1987), magistrate, politician and writer.
* Xosé Filgueira Valverde (1906-1996), historian and writer.
* Alejandro de la Sota (1913-1996), architect.
* Pío Cabanillas (1923-1991), politician.
* César Portela (1937- ), architect.
* Fina Casalderrey (1951- ), writer.
* Víctor Fernández Freixanes (1957- ), journalist, writer and publisher.
* [http://akas.imdb.com/name/nm0520826 Francis Lorenzo] (1960- ), actor.

Trivia

One of Christopher Columbus' ships, the nao "Santa Maria", originally named "La Gallega" ("The Galician"), was built in Pontevedra.

Pontevedra is on the route of the Way of Saint James, namely its southern or "Portuguese" branch. The Church of Peregrina, with a most peculiar scallop-shaped plant, was and still is an unavoidable stop for all pilgrims and visitors.

Pontevedra has the second largest "old town" in Galicia, only after Santiago de Compostela.

ee also

*Asociación pola defensa da ría
*List of municipalities in Pontevedra
*Pontevedra apparitions
*Rias Baixas
*Pontevedra (comarca)
*Pontevedra (province)
*Galicia

External links

* [http://www.pontevedra.eu/ Concello de Pontevedra] - Official site of the local government (in Galician and Spanish, with summarised versions in English and French)
* [http://www.turismoenpontevedra.com/ Turismo en Pontevedra] - Official site of the Pontevedra tourist board, maintained by the local government (in Galician, English, Spanish and French)
* [http://www.riasbaixas.depo.es/web2005/index.php?id_idioma=3 Rias Baixas] - Official site of the Rias Baixas tourist board (in Galician, English and Spanish)
* [http://www.depontevedra.es/ Deputación de Pontevedra] - Official site of the provincial government of Pontevedra (in Galician)
* [http://diariodepontevedra.galiciae.com/ Diario de Pontevedra] - local newspaper of Pontevedra (mostly in Spanish, with some articles in Galician)
* [http://www.pazodacultura.org/ Pazo da Cultura] - Offical site of the Auditorium-Congress Hall complex and "Teatro Principal", maintained by the local government (in Galician and Spanish)

References

* Calo Lourido, F. et al. (2003): "Pontevedra e o mar. Simposio de historia marítima do século XII ao XVI". Concello de Pontevedra, Pontevedra
* De la Peña, A. (1996): "Historia de Pontevedra". Vía Láctea, A Coruña
* Díaz Martínez, C. et al. (2001): "A memoria de Pontevedra". Edicións Xerais, Vigo
* Fariña Jamardo, X. (2000): "La capitalidad de Pontevedra", in "Historia de las Rías", vol. 2, p. 489-504. Faro de Vigo, Vigo
* García-Braña, C. et al. (1988): "Pontevedra, planteamiento histórico y urbanístico", Deputación Provincial de Pontevedra, Servizo de Publicacións, Pontevedra
* Juega Puig, J. et al. (1996): "Historia de Pontevedra". Via Láctea, A Coruña
* Juega Puig, J. (2000): "As ruas de Pontevedra". Deputación Provincial de Pontevedra, Servizo de Publicacións, Pontevedra
* López y López Rios, B. (1990): "Pontevedra, de la leyenda a la historia". Deputación Provincial de Pontevedra, Servizo de Publicacións, Pontevedra

Notes