Baiona, Pontevedra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Baiona
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Town and municipality
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View of the port from the Montereal castle.
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| Nickname(s):
Baiona
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Situation of Baiona within Galicia
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  Galicia |
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| Province | Pontevedra | ||
| Comarca | Vigo | ||
| Parroquias | Baiona, Baredo, Baíña, Belesar, Sabaris | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 35.35 km2 (13.65 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 12,134 | ||
| • Density | 343.25/km2 (889.02/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CET) | ||
| Website | Official website: http://www.baiona.org/ | ||
Baiona is a charming town and municipality located in the Pontevedra province of Galicia, Spain. It's part of the Vigo area.
This town is a popular spot for tourists. It has a beautiful old town with buildings from the Middle Ages. Baiona is right by the sea, at the entrance of the Vigo Bay. While about 12,000 people live there normally, the population can grow to around 45,000 in the summer because of all the visitors!
Baiona is also on the Portuguese Way, which is a famous walking route of the Camino de Santiago. About 30,000 hikers walk through the town each year. Besides tourism, fishing is another very important activity for the town's economy.
Contents
Baiona's History
Baiona has a very long and interesting history. It was founded way back in 140 BC by someone named Diomedes of Aetolia. Over time, the town had many different names, like Stuciana and Erizana.
Important Moments in Baiona's Past
- Royal Charter: In 1201, King Alfonso IX of Leon gave Baiona a special royal charter. This was like a formal document that gave the town certain rights and freedoms.
- King Ferdinand I: In 1370, King Ferdinand I of Portugal lived in Baiona for a while. He even made it his base of operations before he had to go back to Portugal.
- Pedro Madruga: In 1474, a powerful person named Don Pedro Alvarez de Soutomaior, also known as Pedro Madruga, took control of Baiona.
- Columbus's Ship Arrives: One of the most famous events happened on March 1, 1493. The ship Pinta, which was part of Columbus's journey to the New World (America), returned to Europe. It arrived in Baiona first! This made Baiona's port the very first in Europe to hear the news about the discovery of America. Today, you can visit a replica of the Pinta ship in Baiona. The town celebrates this amazing event every year.
- Defending Against Pirates: In 1585, the people of Baiona bravely fought off an attack by a famous privateer (a type of pirate) named Francis Drake. Five years later, Philip II of Spain sent a large fleet to protect the coast of Galicia from other pirates.
Population of Baiona
The number of people living in Baiona has changed a lot over the years. In 1877, there were about 5,398 residents. By 1970, the population had grown to around 8,644 people. In 1980, it reached over 10,000 residents. By 2010, the population was about 11,940 people. This shows how the town has grown and changed over more than a century.
Baiona's Economy
The main way Baiona makes money is through tourism. Many people visit the town, especially in the summer.
Key Economic Activities
- Hotels and Resorts: The Parador de Baiona is a very famous hotel in the town. It's part of a special network of state-owned hotels in Spain.
- Shopping: There are many shops and businesses that cater to both locals and tourists.
- Farming: Some people in Baiona still do small-scale farming to grow food for themselves and to sell locally.
- Fishing: Fishing is a traditional and important activity. The town's location by the sea makes it perfect for coastal fishing.
- Construction: Building and repairing homes and other structures also provides jobs in the town.
Places to Visit in Baiona
Baiona has several interesting places that visitors, including kids, would enjoy exploring.
Parador of Baiona
The Parador of Baiona is a fantastic example of how history can be preserved. It's a grand hotel and restaurant located on a small peninsula. The entire area is surrounded by a strong stone wall. From here, you can see amazing views of the Rias Baixas (a type of coastal inlet) and the beautiful Cies Islands. It's like stepping back in time!
Monte Real Yacht Club Baiona
Right next to the Parador, you'll find the Monte Real Yacht Club Baiona. This club was started in 1965. It's a very active place that hosts international sailing races. It also has a sailing school where you can learn to sail. The yacht club brings many people who love boats and the sea to Baiona.
Images for kids
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Montereal castle, a historic fortress in Baiona.
See also
In Spanish: Bayona (España) para niños
