L ocated between the Cantabrian coastline and the Aizkorri mountains, Gipuzkoa is a series of sixty nearly parallel valleys with their six corresponding rivers. At the points where these rivers flow into the sea, is where the most important centres of population in this area are located.
A series of traditionally important tourist towns, with Donostia-San Sebastián heading the list, are to be found on the coast of Gipuzkoa. Although Donostia-San Sebastián and its outlying region is heavily populated, the distribution of Gipuzkoa´s population is relatively homogenous, since industry has developd quite uniformly throughout the province.

T he area from Irún to Donostia-San Sebastián comprising the land surrounded by the Bidasoa, Oiartzun and Urumea rivers, is densely populated. Pasaia boasts the largest port in Gipuzkoa, located on the mouth of the Oiartzun river.

D onostia-San Sebastian, sits on either side of the mouth of the Urumea river on an unmistakable crescent bay, and has spread out into both the Urumea river valley and the hillsides sorrounding the city centre. Donostia-San Sebastian, capital of Gipuzkoa, has a long history of tourism and is the centre of a basically industrial region. Just over 180,000 inhabitants equalling half the population of the entire province, are concentrated here.

T ogether with the Parte Vieja, or Old Quarter, the beaches are undoubtedly the city's major traditional tourist attraction. In recent years, the two beaches of La Concha and Ondarreta, which curl along the bay hugging the city centre, have been joined by a third, Zurriola, a long stretch of sand with the new Kursaal conference centre perched on its edge.

T he Hotel María Cristina and the Victoria Eugenia theatre are probably the best known of the city's numerous landmark buildings. Inaugurated in 1912, the theatre provides the venue for two of the most outstanding events in San Sebastián's year-long cultural calendar, the Quincena Musical (Music Fortnight) and the International Film Festival.

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Basque Country with pleasure

Source: Presidency of the Government - General Secretariat for Communication