Bizkaia

Bizkaia, known in Spanish as Biscay, is the most populous province of the Basque Autonomous Community in northern Spain. Its capital and largest city is Bilbao, a major economic and cultural center. The province also includes other sizable urban areas such as Barakaldo and Getxo, as well as rural towns in the interior.

Geographically, Bizkaia lies on the north coast along the Bay of Biscay, with a varied landscape that ranges from the coastal plain to wooded valleys and mountains in the interior. The Nervión River runs through Bilbao and forms the estuary that gave rise to the city’s port. The Urdaibai estuary in the western part of the province is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognized for its ecological importance and biodiversity.

Historically, Bizkaia developed as part of the medieval Biscayan territories and later became part of the Crown of Castile. Following Spain’s transition to democracy, it became a province within the Basque Country under the 1979 Statute of Autonomy. The provincial administration is the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia, which governs from Bilbao.

The economy of Bizkaia has deep industrial roots, particularly in steelmaking, shipbuilding, and port activities centered on Bilbao. In recent decades the province has diversified toward services, logistics, technology, and tourism. Cultural landmarks include the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the historic Casco Viejo (Old Quarter), and the coastal and rural landscapes of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, reflecting a blend of industrial heritage and contemporary culture. The Basque language, Euskara, coexists with Spanish, with bilingual signage and education common in many areas.