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Ayamonte
General view of the town and the San Salvador church
General view of the town and the San Salvador church
Flag of Ayamonte
Flag
Coat of arms of Ayamonte
Coat of arms
Ayamonte is located in Spain
Ayamonte
Ayamonte
Location in Spain
Ayamonte is located in Andalusia
Ayamonte
Ayamonte
Location in Andalusia
Country Spain
Autonomous community Andalusia
Province Huelva
Area
 • Total 142 km2 (55 sq mi)
Elevation
63 m (207 ft)
Population
 (2018)
 • Total 20,883
 • Density 147.1/km2 (380.9/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Ayamontino, na
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
21400
Website ayto-ayamonte.es

Ayamonte is a charming town in Spain. It is located in the province of Huelva, which is part of Andalusia. This town sits right on the border with Portugal. It is also found at the mouth of the Guadiana River. In 2015, about 20,357 people lived here.

History of Ayamonte

Ayamonte has a very long history. Some ancient stone structures called megaliths have been found here. These huge stone monuments are thought to be from around 5,000 years BC.

The town was taken from Muslim rule in 1240. This happened during the time of Sancho II of Portugal. Later, it was given to the Order of Santiago, a group of knights. Ayamonte officially became part of the Crown of Castile in 1263.

People in Ayamonte have been fishing for a long time. They also used to preserve fish like tuna and sardines by salting them. This was important even in the Middle Ages. The town faced tough times in the 1600s. There was a war with Portugal and also many sicknesses like the plague. In the 1700s, new merchants came to Ayamonte. They helped boost the local fish canning and salt industries.

Exploring Ayamonte's Location

The town of Ayamonte has a lovely old part. It is like a medieval quarter with many narrow streets. You can find many historical buildings there. This central area is special because cars are not allowed. It is a car-free zone.

Ayamonte also has a beautiful beach area called Isla Canela. You can get there by driving over a raised road. This road crosses the Marismas del Guadiana. The marismas are salt marshes. They are a special place for wildlife. Many water birds live there, including herons and flamingos.

Isla Canela has many kilometers of sandy beaches. It is a great spot for water sports. You can try windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing. There are also several golf courses nearby. One of them is even built right into the Marismas.

Getting Around Ayamonte

For a long time, the ferry between Ayamonte and Vila Real de Santo António was the main way to cross between Spain and Portugal. Now, there is a modern bridge over the Guadiana River. This bridge connects the main roads of both countries. It is located north of the town. However, the ferry still runs. It is a fun and cheap way to travel between the two countries.

Culture and Fun in Ayamonte

Ayamonte is well-known for its local celebrations. These are called the "Fiestas de las Angustias." They honor the town's patron saint, "Nuestra Señora de las Angustias." These festivities happen at the beginning of September. It is a time of great joy for the people of Ayamonte. Many people from other parts of Andalusia and Portugal also come to celebrate.

The celebrations feature music from local bands. One is the "Banda Ciudad de Ayamonte." Another is the "Banda da Sociedade Filarmónica Progresso e Labor Samouquense." This band comes from the Portuguese village of Samouco.

Historical Sights to See

Ayamonte has several interesting historical places to visit:

  • The Baluarte de las Angustias is a fortification from the 1500s.
  • The Nuestra Señora de las Angustias church also dates back to the 1500s.
  • The Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes church was built in the 1600s.
  • The Plaza de la Laguna is a square from the 1700s. It is famous for its beautiful azulejo tiles. These are decorative ceramic tiles.

Gallery

Climate in Ayamonte

Ayamonte has a Hot-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has mild winters that are a bit humid. The summers are dry and can be warm to hot. Autumn is usually the wettest time of the year.

Population of Ayamonte

Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1999 16,980 —    
2000 16,939 −0.2%
2001 17,084 +0.9%
2002 17,292 +1.2%
2003 17,402 +0.6%
2004 17,623 +1.3%
2005 18,001 +2.1%
2006 18,636 +3.5%
2007 19,380 +4.0%
2008 19,738 +1.8%
2009 20,334 +3.0%
2010 20,597 +1.3%
2011 20,763 +0.8%
2012 20,968 +1.0%
2013 20,406 −2.7%
2014 19,690 −3.5%
2015 20,357 +3.4%
2016 20,629 +1.3%
2017 20,714 +0.4%
2018 20,883 +0.8%
2019 20,946 +0.3%
2020 21,104 +0.8%
2021 21,510 +1.9%
2022 21,725 +1.0%
2023 21,645 −0.4%
2024 20,597 −4.8%
Source: [1] [2]

Famous People from Ayamonte

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ayamonte para niños

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