Galicia (Spain)

This article is about the autonomous community in Spain. For the kingdom, see Kingdom of Galicia. For the region in Eastern Europe, see Galicia (Eastern Europe).

Galicia or Galiza is a nationality in Spain that became a Spanish autonomous community in 1978. It is in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It shares borders with Portugal to the South and the communities of Castile and León and Asturias to the east.

Galicia Galiza  (Galician)
Autonomous community
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Galicia in Iberia
Coordinates: 42.5°N 8.1°W / 42.5; -8.1
Country	Spain
Capital	Santiago de Compostela
Provinces	A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense, and Pontevedra
Government
• Type	Devolved government in a constitutional monarchy
• Body	Xunta de Galicia
• President	Alberto Núñez Feijóo (PPdeG)

History

Galicia is a green country with Celtic features. Since re-gaining autonomy in 1978, Galicia has been governed by the Xunta de Galicia (government of Galicia). Galicia was strictly governed from 1990 until 2005, during the Manuel Fraga years. The Xunta de Galicia was then under a socialist president Emilio Perez Touriño, who had made Galicia more liberal than ever before, until 2009. From March 2009 Partido Popular (right-wing party) won power and the new president is Alberto Núñez Feijoo, who won a second term as president in 2012.

Language

Galicia has one main language:Galician "galego". It has many similarities with Portuguese. Galego and Portuguese have the same origin. Spanish is also spoken in Galicia, but mainly as a second language.

Cuisine

Galicia is very famous for its fishing industry and seafood remains an important part of its cuisine. A very popular dish in Galicia is polbo á feira, ("polbo" means octopus). There are many restaurants that serve seafood in Galicia.