Bermeo

Last updated
Bermeo
Municipality
Bermeo Euskal Herria1.JPG
Bandera de Bermeo.svg
Flag
Escudo de Bermeo.svg
Coat of arms
Basque Country location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Bermeo
Location of Bermeo in the Basque Country
Spain location map with provinces.svg
Red pog.svg
Bermeo
Bermeo (Spain)
Coordinates: 43°25′12″N2°43′35″W / 43.42000°N 2.72639°W / 43.42000; -2.72639
Country Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
Autonomous community Flag of the Basque Country.svg  Basque Country
Province Biscay
Comarca Busturialdea
Founded1236
Government
 •  Mayor Aritz Abaroa Cantauriense (EAJ-PNV)
Area
 • Total34.12 km2 (13.17 sq mi)
Elevation
 (AMSL)
11 m (36 ft)
Population
 (2018) [1]
 • Total16,688
 • Density490/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Demonym bermeotar
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
48370
Area code +34 (Spain)
Official language(s) Basque, Spanish
Website Official website

Bermeo is a town and municipality in the comarca of Busturialdea. It is in the province of Biscay, which is part of the autonomous region of the Basque Country in northern Spain.

Contents

With a population of 16,765, it is the most important fishing port in the Basque Country.[ citation needed ] The town was founded in 1236, and is the largest in Busturialdea. Bermeo was the provincial capital of Biscay from 1476 to 1602.

Tourist attractions include the island of Gaztelugatxe, the Ercilla Tower (a fishing museum), San Juan Gate and the port. Bermeo is connected by Euskotren Trena and BizkaiBus to Bilbao. It has a number of neighbourhoods: Arana, Artike, Agirre, San Andres, Almike, Arronategi, San Migel, Demiku, Mañu and San Pelaio.

History

Bermeo's history dates back to the monastery of San Juan of Gaztelugatxe in 1051. In 1082, it is mentioned by Don Lope lñiguez as "Sancti Michaelis Arcangeli in Portu of Vermelio". Ferdinand II of Aragon named the town the capital of Biscay on 31 July 1476, a position it held until 1602. Many documents have been destroyed by fire; notable fires occurred in 1297, 1347, 1360, 1422 and 1504. The founding of Bilbao in 1300 also coincided with decline in Bermeo.

Bermeoko portu zaharra.jpg
Bermeo's marina

Climate

The town has an oceanic climate, with heavy rains in spring and late fall. The average annual minimum temperature is about 9 °C (48 °F), and the maximum is about 19 °C (66 °F). The record maximum temperature is 45 °C (113 °F), and the record minimum is -9 °C (16 °F).

Climate data for Bermeo
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)13.2
(55.8)		14.5
(58.1)		15.9
(60.6)		16.8
(62.2)		20.1
(68.2)		22.6
(72.7)		25.2
(77.4)		25.5
(77.9)		24.4
(75.9)		20.8
(69.4)		16.4
(61.5)		14
(57)		19.1
(66.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)4.7
(40.5)		5.1
(41.2)		5.7
(42.3)		7.1
(44.8)		10.1
(50.2)		12.6
(54.7)		14.8
(58.6)		15.2
(59.4)		13.2
(55.8)		10.8
(51.4)		7.6
(45.7)		6
(43)		9.4
(48.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)126
(5.0)		97
(3.8)		94
(3.7)		124
(4.9)		90
(3.5)		64
(2.5)		62
(2.4)		82
(3.2)		74
(2.9)		121
(4.8)		141
(5.6)		116
(4.6)		1,195
(47.0)
Source: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología [2]
Izaro Island and Cape Ogono Bermeo.jpg
Izaro Island and Cape Ogoño
Northwest: Bay of Biscay North: Bay of Biscay Northeast: Bay of Biscay
West: Bakio Rosa de los vientos.svg East: Elantxobe
Southwest Mungia and Meñaka South: Arrieta Southeast: Busturia and Mundaka

Population

As a result of increased immigration due to industrialisation during the 1960s, the population grew rapidly. Although it began to decline during the 1990s, the population has increased again since 2000.

Bermeo population, 1704–2013
170417841850190019251960196519701975198119861991199620012004
1,4083,7115,3779,63613,55615,84617,38417,48518,31218,33317,92317,17616,93816,90117,429
200720082010201120122013
17,06917,02617,07817,14417,15917,057

Economy

Itzulera by Casto Solano Bermeo fisher sculpture.JPG
Itzulera by Casto Solano

Bermeo's economy is based on fishing, and its port is the town's chief source of revenue. It has a fleet of deep-sea vessels, and Bermeo's coastal fisheries are among the region's most important. In addition to fishing, diesel engines and generators are manufactured and the commercial port receives raw materials. Bermeo also has connections with the timber and undersea-gas industries.

Transportation

Bermeo is connected by road to Mungia (18 km [11 mi] away) by the BI-631 road and to Gernika-Lumo (14 km [8.7 mi] away) by the BI-2235. The BI-3101 connects the town with Bakio, 12 km (7.5 mi) away. The capital, Bilbao (33 km [21 mi] away), is reached by the BI-631 and the BI-2235.

BizkaiBus connects Bermeo with Guernica, Amorebieta-Etxano, Bilbao, Derio and Bakio. Euskotren Trena connects the town directly with Bilbao, Guernica, Amorebieta-Etxano, Biscay and Gipuzkoa. Bermeo also has taxi and Bermibusa (urban bus) service.

Attractions

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Gaztelugatxe Connected.jpg
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

On the road to Bakio is the lighthouse of Matxitxako, on the cape of the same name. Further along is Akatz Island, next to Gaztelugatxe (an island with the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe monastery). During the 14th century a castle topped the island, which was replaced by the monastery. On 29 August a mass celebrates the feast of San Juan. The island is a protected area.

Akatz Island Aketx Gaztelugatxeko Donienetik 2006-07-06.JPG
Akatz Island

Akatz Island, a small island next to Gaztelugatxe, has little vegetation but a significant nesting-bird population. On its cape is the Matxitxako lighthouse, which has good views of the coast and from which cetaceans may be seen. Izaro Island is part of the Urdaibai Reserve.

Bermeo's old town has many houses painted in different colours and narrow streets with squares. Aritzatxu is a small beach.

Ercilla Tower is the only remaining tower of 30 towers which defended Bermeo during the Middle Ages. In the old port, it was built at the end of the 15th century and housed the Ercilla family (including Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga, author of The Araucana). In addition to its military use, it housed fishermen and warehoused fish. It was renovated in 1948 with Gothic arches as the Fisherman's Museum; additional renovation was done in 1984 and 1985.

Kikunbera house Bermeo kinkunbera house.JPG
Kikunbera house

Bermeo's town hall, in Sabino Arana Goiri Square, was built in 1732. With two clocks on its facade, it is one of the town's Artistic Historical Monuments.

The Kikunbera house, in Basque Rationalist style, was designed to resemble a ship and has been an Artistic Historical Monument since 1995. Batzoki is a modernist building by Pedro Ispizua.

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References

  1. ↑ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. ↑ "Valores Climatológicos Normales. Bilbao / Aeropuerto. Periodo 1971–2000". aemet.es . Archived from the original on 29 June 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2009.


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