CANTABRIA

comunidad autnoma (autonomous community) and historic region of Spain, coextensive with the northern Spanish provincia of Cantabria, formerly called Santander. The community was established by the statute of autonomy of Dec. 30, 1981. The Cantabri, an Iberian tribe with a strong Celtic element, dominated the region until 19 BC. The region has been associated with Old Castile (q.v.). Cantabria borders the Bay of Biscay to the north. The rolling coastal hills rise gradually into the Cantabrian Mountains. Almost one-half of the land lies above 2,000 feet (600 m), and only a fourth lies under 650 feet (200 m). Cantabria is bounded by the Asturian province of Oviedo to the west. The valleys of Besaya and Pas connect Cantabria with the provinces of Palencia to the southwest and Burgos to the southeast. Karstic tablelands mark the southeastern border of Cantabria, which is linked to the Meseta Central and is drained by the Ebro. Vizcaya lies to the east. An oceanic climate prevails. Annual precipitation is high, exceeding 40 inches (1,000 mm), and fairly regular; precipitation tapers off toward the Ebro basin. The population is heavily concentrated along the coastal areas. More than one-third of the population lives in the city of Santander, which has grown at the expense of the older centres of Castro-Urdiales, Laredo, Trasmiera, and San Vicente de la Barquera. The rural population tends to be widely scattered, living in isolated farmsteads or small hamlets. Employment is fairly evenly distributed among the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors, but agriculture accounts for only a small percentage of Cantabria's gross domestic product. Cattle and sheep husbandry is the dominant agricultural activity. Mining is a major industry and centres on the deposits of lead, zinc, and pyrites around Reocn. Cantabria produces a large portion of Spain's zinc and is also a chief producer of pyrites. Iron and graphite are also mined. Torrelavega has become Cantabria's leading industrial centre, producing chemicals and synthetic fibres. Reinosa and Santander are major metallurgical centres. Santander is the financial and commercial centre of all but the easternmost zones of the provinces, which are oriented toward Bilbao. Reinosa is the commercial centre of southern Cantabria as well as of adjoining settlements in the province of Palencia. Laredo and Castro-Urdiales have become important centres of tourism. The traditional costume worn by men includes the boina, or beret, typical of the Basques. The traditional farmstead resembles the Basque casero and is built of stone, but roofs have four sides and balconies are more open. Nomenclature of places is primarily Romance, indicating that Arab influence in the region was slight. Nomenclature incorporates various Celtic words, however, among them aban, or river, which appears as Abanillas, La Abadilla, and Abao. The name Cantabria is derived from the Celtic, denoting people of the mountain. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 523,633. formerly Santander provincia, in Cantabria comunidad autnoma (autonomous community), northern Spain, bordering the Bay of Biscay. It is popularly known as La Montaa (The Mountain), for its highlands that increase in height toward the south. Principal towns in Cantabria include Santander, the provincial capital; Torrelavega, an industrial and mining (iron, zinc, lead) centre; Reinosa, a steel-manufacturing centre; and the fishing ports of Santoa, Laredo, and Castro-Urdiales. Area 2,042 square miles (5,289 square km). Pop. (1991 prelim.) 523,633.