Vigo
Encyclopedia
Vigo (ˈbiɣo, ˈbiħo or ˈbixo; ˈbiɣo) is a city and municipality in north-west Spain
, in Galicia, situated on the ria
of the same name on the Atlantic Ocean
.
In 2010 there were 16,735 foreigners living in the city, representing a 5,6% of the total population. The main nationalities are Portuguese
(16%), Brazilians (11%) and Colombians
(7%).
By language, according to 2008 data, 7% of the population speak always in Galician, 43% speak always in Spanish and the rest use both interchangeably. This makes Vigo the least Galician-speaking city in Galicia.
) and a Roman
settlement. It is generally accepted that the name Vigo is derived from the Latin
word vicus.
The standard pronunciation of Vigo in both Galician
and Spanish
is ˈbiɣo.
the small village of Vigo was part of the territory of Portuguese speaking neighbouring towns, particularly Tui
, and suffered several Viking attacks. However, the number of inhabitants was so small that, historically, Vigo was not considered to be a real village until around the 15th century, when the earliest records began.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the city was attacked several times. In 1585 and 1589 Francis Drake
raided the city and temporarily occupied it, leaving many buildings burnt. Several decades later a Turkish
fleet tried to attack the city. As a result the walls of the city were built in 1656 during the reign of Philip IV of Spain
. They are still partially preserved.
During this time, and in spite of the attacks, the city of Vigo developed its earliest commerce, and was given several privileges by the kings of Spain
.
In 1702 the Battle of Vigo Bay
occurred, and in 1719, because a Spanish
fleet which departed from Vigo attempted to invade Scotland
in support of the Jacobites
, the city was occupied for ten days by a British force
.
In 1808 the French Army
annexed Spain to the Napoleonic Empire, although Vigo remained unconquered until January, 1809. Vigo was also the first city of Galicia to be freed from French
rule in what is now celebrated as the Reconquista (reconquest from French in the context of the Peninsular War
) on 28 March each year.
The city grew very rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries. This resulted in continuous urban planning changes, making Vigo less structured than other Galician towns.
(Köppen climate classification
Cfb); however, the summers tend to be warmer (and drier) and the winters milder than most areas of similar classification. In actuality, with its noticeable drying trend in the summer, Vigo's climate is more similar to the variant of the oceanic climate commonly seen in the Pacific Northwest
region of North America; though with noticeably warmer winters. Substantial rainfall throughout the year prevents it from being classified as a Mediterranean climate
, even though there is a drying trend in summer.
The average annual temperature in Vigo is 15 °C (59 °F). Compared many other Galician towns, Vigo experiences warmer summer temperatures and milder winters. This is due to its sheltered location, surrounded by mountains inland and the Illas Cíes out in the bay towards the sea.
with flights to Paris
, London
, Brussels
and several domestic destinations. Due to increased passenger numbers in recent years, the terminal with the parking facilities are being expanded to provide the airport with a capacity of four million people by year.
A ferry service operates between the Port of Vigo and Cíes Islands
, part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park
, the only National Park in Galicia. The main beach in the central island was declared best beach in the world in 2007 by the British newspaper The Guardian
. European route E01
goes through the town. This highway goes south through Lisbon
and north to the A Coruña
area. A-52 goes inland, east to Ourense
. Also at the center of the city is undertaking the construction of the AVE train station to connect the city with high speed. It has commissioned the development of a blueprint and a feasibility study for possible construction of a metro. Meanwhile, urban transport is carried out through buses by Vitrasa progestin, which has the largest number of buses northwest Spain.
. Following the May 22, 2011 municipal elections the mayor
of Vigo is Abel Caballero
of the Socialist Party of Galicia
(PSdeG). The city council is governed by the Socialist Party of Galicia
(11 councilors, to the Popular Party of Galicia 13 and the Galician Nationalist Bloc 3).
Vigo is one of the leading industrial areas in Galicia, with car factories, shipyards, and auxiliary industry. Situated in Vigo is Galicia's leading employer, PSA Peugeot Citroën
, which in 2007 produced a total of 545,000 vehicles, of which more than 82% were sold outside Spain.
Vigo has the largest fishing
port in Europe as well, the home port of the world's largest fishing company, Pescanova
and the most important center of the Galician canned fish industry. The headquarters of the European Fisheries Agency
are placed in here.
The publishing industry, especially in Galician, is very prominent in the city, with Editorial Galaxia and Editorial Xerais among others.
is situated in a mountainous area on the outskirts of the city. It is an important center for studies related to ocean-based industries. The university has other campus
es in Pontevedra
and Ourense
. The campus of Vigo is a modern project of the architect
Enric Miralles
.
"A movida viguesa" was a hedonistic cultural movement that took place in Vigo during the 1980s triggered by the explosion of liberties after the death of dictator Francisco Franco
. The most important artists of this postmodern movement were musicians; particularly punk and new wave bands such as Siniestro Total
, Golpes Bajos
, Aerolíneas Federales
, Semen Up or Os Resentidos
.
At the moment, the city still has notorious bands like Iván Ferreiro
(ex-singer of Los Piratas) and Mon.
The locally produced award-winning feature movie Mondays In The Sun (original title Los lunes al sol) depicts the life of several men who have lost their work at the Port of Vigo
. This film is not based on a single individual's experiences but on the perceived collective experiences of many local port workers.
, the oldest newspaper in Spain still in circulation, and the Atlántico Diario
. It has one local television station, Televigo, which covers news and current events in the Vigo metropolitan area.
, more commonly referred to today by its sponsorship name of Celta Indepo. They currently compete in the top category of women's championship. They won the championship three times.
, which currently (2011–12) plays in Second Division.
offer a privileged environment for the practice of the nautical sports. Institutions as the Real Club Nautico de Vigo (RCNV), founded in 1906, and the Liceo Marítimo de Bouzas (LMB), founded in 1907, are good examples of promotion of the nautical sports, especially sailing.
The RCNV organizes important events like the Atlantic Week, that in September 2006 received the World Championship of the Platu 25 class. The RCNV also organizes every year in August one of the races with more sailboats of the Iberian peninsula: the Regata Rías Baixas, that in the 2006 edition included the participation of 130 sailboats of different nationalities.
The LMB is a yacht club that agglutinates around 400 associates. The LMB has a long and intense activity in sailing and recreational fishing. The LMB organizes two important regattas of the Galician calendar of sail: the Regata Vila de Bouzas and a Regata de Solitarios y a Dos.
The Regata Vila de Bouzas honors the neighborhood where is located the LMB. The Regata de Solitarios y a Dos is sponsored by the firm Aister and is for crews of one and two members. It is a difficult race with two steps. One step consists of a race through the coastal inside the bay of Vigo and the other step is longer race around the Cies Islands
(and/or Ons Islands). Likewise, the LMB has schools of sailing and fishing. Yearly it organizes a cephalopods fishing competition.
, Argentina Lorient
, France Porto
, Portugal Caracas
, Venezuela Santa Cristina de la Polvorosa
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, in Galicia, situated on the ria
Ria
A ria is a coastal inlet formed by the partial submergence of an unglaciated river valley. It is a drowned river valley that remains open to the sea. Typically, rias have a dendritic, treelike outline although they can be straight and without significant branches. This pattern is inherited from the...
of the same name on the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
.
Population
The city of Vigo has 297,124 inhabitants, with an extended metropolitan population of 468,654, making it the 14th-largest metropolitan area of Spain.In 2010 there were 16,735 foreigners living in the city, representing a 5,6% of the total population. The main nationalities are Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
(16%), Brazilians (11%) and Colombians
Colombians
Colombians may refer to:* Citizens of Colombia, a country in South America.* Ethnic Colombians** Colombian people, persons from Colombia or of Colombian ancestry...
(7%).
By language, according to 2008 data, 7% of the population speak always in Galician, 43% speak always in Spanish and the rest use both interchangeably. This makes Vigo the least Galician-speaking city in Galicia.
Toponym
The urban area of Vigo is built over both a hill-fort (CastroCastros in Spain
A Castro is a fortified settlement, usually pre-Roman, some from late Bronze Age and Iron Age, the oldest research associated with the Celtic culture...
) and a Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
settlement. It is generally accepted that the name Vigo is derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
word vicus.
The standard pronunciation of Vigo in both Galician
Galician language
Galician is a language of the Western Ibero-Romance branch, spoken in Galicia, an autonomous community located in northwestern Spain, where it is co-official with Castilian Spanish, as well as in border zones of the neighbouring territories of Asturias and Castile and León.Modern Galician and...
and Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
is ˈbiɣo.
History
During the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
the small village of Vigo was part of the territory of Portuguese speaking neighbouring towns, particularly Tui
Tui, Galicia
Tui , in Spanish Tuy, is a town in Galicia , in the province of Pontevedra. It is located on the left bank of the Minho River, facing the Portuguese town of Valença....
, and suffered several Viking attacks. However, the number of inhabitants was so small that, historically, Vigo was not considered to be a real village until around the 15th century, when the earliest records began.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the city was attacked several times. In 1585 and 1589 Francis Drake
Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral was an English sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver, and politician of the Elizabethan era. Elizabeth I of England awarded Drake a knighthood in 1581. He was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He also carried out the...
raided the city and temporarily occupied it, leaving many buildings burnt. Several decades later a Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
fleet tried to attack the city. As a result the walls of the city were built in 1656 during the reign of Philip IV of Spain
Philip IV of Spain
Philip IV was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal until 1640...
. They are still partially preserved.
During this time, and in spite of the attacks, the city of Vigo developed its earliest commerce, and was given several privileges by the kings of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
In 1702 the Battle of Vigo Bay
Battle of Vigo Bay
The Battle of Vigo Bay, also known as the Battle of Rande , was a naval engagement fought on 23 October 1702 during the opening years of the War of the Spanish Succession. The engagement followed an Anglo-Dutch attempt to capture the Spanish port of Cádiz in September in an effort to secure a naval...
occurred, and in 1719, because a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
fleet which departed from Vigo attempted to invade Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in support of the Jacobites
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
, the city was occupied for ten days by a British force
Capture of Vigo
The Capture of Vigo occurred in 1719 during the War of the Quadruple Alliance when a British expedition landed on the Spanish coast and seized the settlement of Vigo which they occupied for ten days before withdrawing...
.
In 1808 the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
annexed Spain to the Napoleonic Empire, although Vigo remained unconquered until January, 1809. Vigo was also the first city of Galicia to be freed from French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
rule in what is now celebrated as the Reconquista (reconquest from French in the context of the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
) on 28 March each year.
The city grew very rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries. This resulted in continuous urban planning changes, making Vigo less structured than other Galician towns.
Climate
Vigo's climate is usually classified as oceanicOceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Cfb); however, the summers tend to be warmer (and drier) and the winters milder than most areas of similar classification. In actuality, with its noticeable drying trend in the summer, Vigo's climate is more similar to the variant of the oceanic climate commonly seen in the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
region of North America; though with noticeably warmer winters. Substantial rainfall throughout the year prevents it from being classified as a Mediterranean climate
Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
, even though there is a drying trend in summer.
The average annual temperature in Vigo is 15 °C (59 °F). Compared many other Galician towns, Vigo experiences warmer summer temperatures and milder winters. This is due to its sheltered location, surrounded by mountains inland and the Illas Cíes out in the bay towards the sea.
Districts
Vigo is administratively divided into 21 districts (parroquias), which are further subdivided into wards (barrios)- Alcabre: Ameixeira, Barreiro, Carregal, Castañal, Cristo, Forte, Gándara, Igrexa, Pardaíña, Roade, Sobreira, Viñagrande
- Beade: Babio, Balde, Carballo do Pazo, Coutada, Gándara, Porto, A Pena, Quintián, O Seixo, A Venda, Sáa
- Bembrive: Baruxans, Carballal, Chans, Xestoso, Mosteiro, Outeiro, San Cibrán, Segade, Areeiro, Eifonso, Mouteira, Recaré, Xesteira
- Bouzas
- Cabral: Becerreira, Carballal, Sello, Figueiras
- Candeán: Igrexa, Candeán de Arriba, Rabadeira, Fonte Oscura
- Castrelos: Alvite, Castreliños, Costa, Chantada, Espedrigada o Pereiró, A Pousa, Falcoa, Macal, Pazó, Portoloureiro, Viloura
- Coia
- Comesaña: Casas, Cocheiros, Comesaña, Eidos, Igrexa, Muíños, Pazo, Pedra Branca, Pedreira, Pereiras, Ponte, Romeu, Rodeira, Sanin, Tombo, Viña da Veiga
- Coruxo: Roteas, Río, Molans, Cean, Fontela, Breadouro, Silveira, Combro, Calzada, Cotarelo, Romeu, Verdeal, Melcas, Taberna, Burdes, Abade, Igrexa, Quintas, Carballal, Rozo, Coto de Arriba, Coto de Abaixo, Carrasqueira, Muiños, Gándara, Longra, Luz, Bouzas, Tarrío, Gato, San Lourenzo, Torre de Abaixo, Torre de Arriba, Laxes, Viño, Pedreira, Parrocha, Fragoselo, Tintureira
- Freixeiro: Mantelas, A Salgueira, Riobó
- Lavadores: Arriero, A Bagunda, Barreiro, Cambeses, A Ceboleira, O Couto, Gandariña, Gandarón, Naia, Pardavila, Riomaio, San Paio de Abaixo, San Paio, Igrexa
- Matamá: Balsa, Balvis, Barxa, Beirán, Campos, Carapuxa, Carneiras, Dehesa, Castro, Igrexa, Lagarella, Moo, Outeiro, Parada, Pazos, Pereiro, Revolta, Rivas, Ribelas, Roupeiro, San Amaro, Vilar
- Navia: Devesa, Gándara, Goberna, Pereiras, Quintela, Redondo, Samil, Tomada, Torre, Xuncal
- Oia: Bouzo, Cabo Estai, Canido Praia, Carretera Cortada, Cerqueiro, Cruceiro, Curras, Eiras, Estea, Esteriz, Estomada, Figueiras, Gontade, Grades, Hermida, Igrexa, Loureiro, Estación, Lantexa, Lavandeira, Liñares, A Maris, Matoca, Mide, Oia, Outeiro, Poza, Rochas, Rozo, Senra de Arriba, Senra de Abaixo, Silval, Toxal, Toucido, Verdella, Xistro
- Saiáns: Carballido, Cal do Outeiro, Garcias, Aral, Fontán, Gándara, Cova da Becha, Curbeira, Horta, Orxas, Castañal, Borreiros, Portiño, Tomada, San Xurxo, Capela, Misarelas, Estea, Pinal, Budiases, Souto, Cova da Barxa, Domeira, Cachoa, Dovesa, Fortiñon, Gondufe, Volta, Vilaverde
- San Paio
- San Xoán do Monte
- Sárdoma
- Teis: Cacharela, Mouta, Ferreira, Paradela, Fervenza, Ríos, Travesán, Presa, Chumba, Igrexa, Trapa, Arnel, Praixal, Rorís, Balbarda, A Guía, Oliveira, Espiñeiro, Frian, Santa Tegra, Bellavista, Calzada, Coutadas, Os Caños, Tovel, A Rabuda, Guixar, Barrio das Frores, Montecelo
- Valadares
- Vigo centro
- Zamáns
Metropolitan area
The following villages are in the Vigo metropolitan area:- Babío (1,214 p.)
- Saa (1,296 p.)
- Penís (1,079 p.)
- Fonte Escura (1,242 p.)
- Pereiró (4,284 p.)
- Ponte (1,564 p.)
- Freixeiro (2,456 p.)
- Mantelas (1,595 p.)
- Salgueira (1,268 p.)
- Bagunda (2,762 p.)
- Bouciña (1,823 p.)
- Barreiro (1,383 p.)
- Ceboleira (2,989 p.)
- Pardavila (4,128 p.)
- Garrida (1,245 p.)
Main sights
- Casco Vello (historic center)
- Porta do Sol, Policarpo Sanz and Alameda area (modern center)
- Príncipe and Urzaiz Streets (commercial area)
- Celtic Castro ruins
- Castro fortressCastro fortress-History:The fortress of the Castro was built in 1665 during a war in front of Portugal trying to protect the city from the continuous attacks coming from the British navy allies of Portugal....
Museums
- Naturnova Museum: Museum dedicated to environment. Interactive contents.
- Museum of the Sea: Museum dedicated to the Sea, and to tinned food and to naval. Important building designed by famous architects Aldo RossiAldo RossiAldo Rossi was an Italian architect and designer who accomplished the unusual feat of achieving international recognition in four distinct areas: theory, drawing, architecture and product design.-Early life:...
and Cesar Portela. - Museum of Contemporary Art, VigoMuseum of Contemporary Art, VigoThe Museum of Contemporary Art, Vigo is an art museum in Vigo, Spain. It displays changing exhibitions of contemporary art, but has no permanent collection....
: One of the most important museums of Contemporary Art in Spain. - Museum of Castrelos.
- Verbum, Casa das palabras. A museum dedicated to lenguages and communication. Important building designed by famous architect Cesar Portela.
Transportation
Vigo is served by Vigo-Peinador AirportVigo-Peinador Airport
Vigo Airport is east from the centre of Vigo, and is situated in the municipalities of Redondela, Vigo and Mos, Spain. In 2010, 1.093.571 passengers and 901 tonnes of goods passed through the airport.- History :...
with flights to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
and several domestic destinations. Due to increased passenger numbers in recent years, the terminal with the parking facilities are being expanded to provide the airport with a capacity of four million people by year.
A ferry service operates between the Port of Vigo and Cíes Islands
Cíes Islands
The Cíes Islands are an archipelago off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia , in the mouth of the Ría de Vigo. They belong to the parish of San Francisco de Afora, in the municipality of Vigo...
, part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park
Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park
The Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park is the only national park located in the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain. It comprises the archipelagos of Cíes, Ons, Sálvora and Cortegada.- External links :* *...
, the only National Park in Galicia. The main beach in the central island was declared best beach in the world in 2007 by the British newspaper The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
. European route E01
European route E01
The European route E 01 is a series of roads in Europe, part of the United Nations International E-road network, running from Larne, Northern Ireland to Seville, Spain. There is a sea crossing between Rosslare Harbour, in Ireland, and Ferrol, but no ferry service...
goes through the town. This highway goes south through Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
and north to the A Coruña
A Coruña
A Coruña or La Coruña is a city and municipality of Galicia, Spain. It is the second-largest city in the autonomous community and seventeenth overall in the country...
area. A-52 goes inland, east to Ourense
Ourense
Ourense is a city in northwestern Spain, the capital of the province of the same name in Galicia. Its population of 108,674 accounts for 30% of the population of the province and makes it the third largest city of Galicia.-Population:...
. Also at the center of the city is undertaking the construction of the AVE train station to connect the city with high speed. It has commissioned the development of a blueprint and a feasibility study for possible construction of a metro. Meanwhile, urban transport is carried out through buses by Vitrasa progestin, which has the largest number of buses northwest Spain.
Governance
The city is governed by a mayor-council form of governmentMayor-council government
The mayor–council government system, sometimes called the mayor–commission government system, is one of the two most common forms of local government for municipalities...
. Following the May 22, 2011 municipal elections the mayor
Alcalde
Alcalde , or Alcalde ordinario, is the traditional Spanish municipal magistrate, who had both judicial and administrative functions. An alcalde was, in the absence of a corregidor, the presiding officer of the Castilian cabildo and judge of first instance of a town...
of Vigo is Abel Caballero
Abel Caballero
Abel Ramón Caballero Álvarez is a Spanish professor of Economics and the current Mayor of Vigo.Caballero had previously served in the Spanish Congress of Deputies representing A Coruña Province from 1982 to 1986 and Pontevedra Province from 1986 to 1997.-External links:*...
of the Socialist Party of Galicia
Socialist Party of Galicia
The Socialist Party of Galicia is a centre-left political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party . It defines itself as a Galicianist and social democratic party.-External links:Official*...
(PSdeG). The city council is governed by the Socialist Party of Galicia
Socialist Party of Galicia
The Socialist Party of Galicia is a centre-left political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party . It defines itself as a Galicianist and social democratic party.-External links:Official*...
(11 councilors, to the Popular Party of Galicia 13 and the Galician Nationalist Bloc 3).
Economy
PSA Peugeot Citroën
PSA Peugeot Citroën is a French manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot and Citroën marques. Headquartered in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, PSA is the second largest automaker based in Europe and the number eight in the world.-History:In December 1974 Peugeot S.A....
, which in 2007 produced a total of 545,000 vehicles, of which more than 82% were sold outside Spain.
Vigo has the largest fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
port in Europe as well, the home port of the world's largest fishing company, Pescanova
Pescanova
Pescanova Alimentación, S.A. is a Spanish fishing company based in Redondela, Galicia. Its base of operations is the port of Vigo.The Pescanova Group operates in 21 countries with approximately 3,400 employees...
and the most important center of the Galician canned fish industry. The headquarters of the European Fisheries Agency
European Fisheries Agency
European Fisheries Agency will have its headquarters in Vigo, Galicia Spain. On March 14, 2005 the European Union Agriculture ministers reached a political agreement on establishing a Community Fisheries Control Agency which will be tasked with coordinating fishing controls in Community waters.The...
are placed in here.
The publishing industry, especially in Galician, is very prominent in the city, with Editorial Galaxia and Editorial Xerais among others.
Education
The University of VigoUniversity of Vigo
The University of Vigo is a public university located in the city of Vigo, Galicia, Spain. There are three campuses:* Lagoas-Marcosende, between the municipalities of Vigo and Mos;* A Xunqueira, in Pontevedra;* As Lagoas, in Ourense;...
is situated in a mountainous area on the outskirts of the city. It is an important center for studies related to ocean-based industries. The university has other campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
es in Pontevedra
Pontevedra
Pontevedra is a city in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of both the comarca and province of Pontevedra, in Galicia . It is also the capital of its own municipality which is, in fact, often considered as an extension of the actual city...
and Ourense
Ourense
Ourense is a city in northwestern Spain, the capital of the province of the same name in Galicia. Its population of 108,674 accounts for 30% of the population of the province and makes it the third largest city of Galicia.-Population:...
. The campus of Vigo is a modern project of the architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
Enric Miralles
Enric Miralles
Enric Miralles Moya was a Spanish Catalan architect. He graduated from the School of Architecture of Barcelona at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in 1978. After establishing his reputation with a number of collaborations with his first wife Carme Pinós, the couple separated in 1991...
.
Arts and entertainment
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
. The most important artists of this postmodern movement were musicians; particularly punk and new wave bands such as Siniestro Total
Siniestro Total
Siniestro Total is a Galician punk rock group from Vigo . It was founded in 1981 by Julián Hernández, Alberto Torrado and Miguel Costas. After many changes in personnel, current members are Julián Hernández, Javier Soto, Óscar G...
, Golpes Bajos
Golpes Bajos
Golpes Bajos was a 1980s pop group in Spain, a part of the so-called "Edad de Oro del Pop Español", i.e. "The Golden Age of Spanish Pop Music". They were active from 1982–1986, with a final reunion tour in 1997-1998.-History:...
, Aerolíneas Federales
Aerolineas Federales
Aerolíneas Federales was a Spanish pop/rock band from the decade of the 80's. It was formed in Vigo, Galicia.-History:Formed in Vigo in 1981 by Miguel Costas and his friends Flechi and Silvino. In their beginnings, they worked with guitar, bass and beatbox. By 1983, the group incorporate a drum-kit...
, Semen Up or Os Resentidos
Os Resentidos
Os Resentidos was a Galician rock band founded in the year 1984 by Antón Reixa, Alberto Torrado, and Javier Soto. Javier later left the band, being replaced by Xabier Debesa. Os Resentidos disbanded in 1994....
.
At the moment, the city still has notorious bands like Iván Ferreiro
Iván Ferreiro
Iván Ferreiro is a Spanish singer-songwriter born in Vigo, Galicia in 1970. He was the voice, leader and composer of the popular pop-rock band Los Piratas....
(ex-singer of Los Piratas) and Mon.
The locally produced award-winning feature movie Mondays In The Sun (original title Los lunes al sol) depicts the life of several men who have lost their work at the Port of Vigo
Port of Vigo
Port of Vigo located in Vigo, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain is the biggest fishing port in the world and one of the busiest in transportation. It is also home of the world's largest fishing company, Pescanova...
. This film is not based on a single individual's experiences but on the perceived collective experiences of many local port workers.
Media
Vigo has two daily newspapers; the Faro de VigoFaro de Vigo
Faro de Vigo is a Galician newspaper from Vigo. It is the oldest Spanish newspaper still in circulation. Its headquarters are located in Chapela, Redondela...
, the oldest newspaper in Spain still in circulation, and the Atlántico Diario
Atlántico Diario
Atlántico Diario is a Spanish language daily newspaper for the Vigo metropolitan area of Galicia in Spain....
. It has one local television station, Televigo, which covers news and current events in the Vigo metropolitan area.
Sport
Basketball
Vigo has one of the most important women's basketball team, CeltaCelta
Celta may refer to:*CELTA, An English teaching certificate "Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults"*Celta de Vigo, A Spanish football club*Chevrolet Celta, A low cost supermini produced by General Motors do Brasil....
, more commonly referred to today by its sponsorship name of Celta Indepo. They currently compete in the top category of women's championship. They won the championship three times.
Football
Vigo has a football team, Real Club Celta de VigoCelta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
, which currently (2011–12) plays in Second Division.
Sailing
The Rías BaixasRías Baixas
The Rías Baixas are a part of Costa del Marisco facing the Atlantic Ocean in the southern part of the Galicia region of Spain. They consist of the southern part of the Province of Coruña and the entire Province of Pontevedra...
offer a privileged environment for the practice of the nautical sports. Institutions as the Real Club Nautico de Vigo (RCNV), founded in 1906, and the Liceo Marítimo de Bouzas (LMB), founded in 1907, are good examples of promotion of the nautical sports, especially sailing.
The RCNV organizes important events like the Atlantic Week, that in September 2006 received the World Championship of the Platu 25 class. The RCNV also organizes every year in August one of the races with more sailboats of the Iberian peninsula: the Regata Rías Baixas, that in the 2006 edition included the participation of 130 sailboats of different nationalities.
The LMB is a yacht club that agglutinates around 400 associates. The LMB has a long and intense activity in sailing and recreational fishing. The LMB organizes two important regattas of the Galician calendar of sail: the Regata Vila de Bouzas and a Regata de Solitarios y a Dos.
The Regata Vila de Bouzas honors the neighborhood where is located the LMB. The Regata de Solitarios y a Dos is sponsored by the firm Aister and is for crews of one and two members. It is a difficult race with two steps. One step consists of a race through the coastal inside the bay of Vigo and the other step is longer race around the Cies Islands
Cíes Islands
The Cíes Islands are an archipelago off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia , in the mouth of the Ría de Vigo. They belong to the parish of San Francisco de Afora, in the municipality of Vigo...
(and/or Ons Islands). Likewise, the LMB has schools of sailing and fishing. Yearly it organizes a cephalopods fishing competition.
Notable people
- Antonio Fernández, painter
- Antonio M. PérezAntonio M. PerezAntonio M. Pérez is a Spanish businessman, the current CEO of Eastman Kodak Company, based in Rochester, USA.Pérez was born at Vigo, Spain and studied electronic engineering, marketing and business in Spain and France....
, CEO of Eastman KodakEastman KodakEastman Kodak Company is a multinational imaging and photographic equipment, materials and services company headquarted in Rochester, New York, United States. It was founded by George Eastman in 1892.... - Martín CodaxMartín CodaxMartín Codax or Martim Codax was a Galician medieval jogral , possibly from Vigo, Galicia in present day Spain. He may have been active during the middle of the thirteenth century, judging from scriptological analysis...
, poet - Ernesto Bao Curuxeira, painter
- Marina González Alonso, Gold medal Table Tennis Beijing 08
Sister cities
Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina Lorient
Lorient
Lorient, or L'Orient, is a commune and a seaport in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France.-History:At the beginning of the 17th century, merchants who were trading with India had established warehouses in Port-Louis...
, France Porto
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
, Portugal Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
, Venezuela Santa Cristina de la Polvorosa
Santa Cristina de la Polvorosa
Santa Cristina de la Polvorosa is a municipality located in the province of Zamora, Castile and León, Spain....
, Spain