Galicia

Galicia is an autonomous community in the northwestern corner of Spain and a historic region on the Iberian Peninsula. It comprises four provinces—A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense, and Pontevedra—with its capital at Santiago de Compostela. The region is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and by Portugal to the south, and its northern coast faces the Cantabrian Sea. Galicia is noted for its rugged coastline with numerous rías, green landscapes, and a mix of low mountains and rolling hills. The climate is oceanic, featuring mild temperatures and abundant rainfall throughout the year.

Galician, or Galego, is the regional language and is co-official with Spanish in Galicia. The culture blends Celtic and Iberian influences, with distinctive music, crafts, and cuisine centered on seafood and dairy products. The city of Santiago de Compostela is the destination of the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage route that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of St. James. The regional economy has long depended on fishing and related industries; today it also emphasizes manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and services. Galicia’s ports, fisheries, and agribusiness contribute significantly to the economy.

Historically, Galicia formed a medieval kingdom and later became part of the Crown of Castile; the modern autonomous community was established under Spain’s transition to democracy, with a Statute of Autonomy approved in 1981. The name Galicia is also used for other historic regions in Europe, but this article focuses on the autonomous community in Spain.