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Avda. Zumalacárregui, 40. 48006
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www.barceloavenida.com
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| The country of Spain is located in southwestern Europe. |
| Spain has a surface area of 505,957 square kilometers. |
| The World Tourism Organization rates Spain as the second most popular tourist destination worldwide, with 49.5 million visitors annually. | |
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| The Basque Country , in the north of Spain, is made up of three provinces: Vizcaya, whose capital city is Bilbao , Guipuzcoa, whose capital is San Sebastián, and Alava, with its capital Vitoria Gasteiz. |
| Its impressive landscapes, unique history, rich cultural tradition, and renowned cuisine make it one of the principal travel destinations for Spaniards. |
| Bilbao, with a population of 360,000, is the financial and economic center of the region. It is a dynamic and innovative city with vibrant social and business activity. |
| Bilbao is also one of Europe's main reference points for architecture and contemporary art. This, together with its rich and varied Basque cuisine and the traditional hospitality of its people, make Bilbao one of the main tourist attractions in the country. | |
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 Guggenheim Museum. On the banks of the Nervion Inlet. Its architectural design is, in itself, a work of art. It houses permanent and temporary exhibitions, specializing in the most representative contemporary artistic tendencies. |
| The gothic Santiago Cathedral. Listed as a National Historic Artistic Monument, it is the oldest monument in Bilbao. |
| Church of San Anton. Church built in the 15th century on the remains of the old Alcazar of Bilbao. |
| Plaza Nueva. Neoclassic plaza built in the 19th century. Many social activities and festivities are held here. |
| Arriaga Theater. Emblematic building, which today stages all kinds of artistic and cultural events. |
| "Diputación del Senorio de Vizcaya" Palace. Magnificent building, eclectic in style with impressive paintings inside |
| Nuestra Señora de Begoña Basilica. Built in 1588, this gothic basilica houses the statue of Amatxo de Begoña, patron saint of Vizcaya |
| Museum of Fine Arts. One of the finest collections of paintings in Spain. |
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| Fish is one of the fundamental ingredients in the diet of the Bilbao people, and forms part of many popular dishes: hake in green sauce, hake "a la koskera" and "a la ondarresa" or simply batter-fried hake fillets, codfish "al pil-pil", or "al ajo arriero", and tuna "a la laqueitia", served either fried or with tomatoes. |
| Although fish is a staple of the Bilbao diet, meats and vegetables are also important to Basque cooking, including such outstanding dishes as T-bone beef steak, lamb, and "porrusalda" (a sauce made from leeks). |
| Other specialties include "marmitako", a delicious combination of garlic, olive oil, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes; "txanguro", or spider crab meat; a stew made from vegetables, tomatoes, wines and brandy; and "pintxos" (tapas). |
| An excellent way to accompany any typical meal in Bilbao is to have a glass of Txacoli, an acidic wine with either a fruity or cider-like bouquet. |
| The most popular desserts are fresh "cuajada" (a yogurt-like dessert), rice pudding, San Marcos cake, and delicious "canutillos" from Bilbao. |
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| The most typical handcrafted products in the region are carved wooden figures, decorative wrought ironwork, wicker articles, and traditional Basque ceramics. |
| In Bilbao capital, the busiest shopping area is the Historic Quarter, where visitors can find some of the most traditional shops of the city. |
| The Ribera Market is the main market in the region. Other important shopping centers can be found in the cities of Bermeo, Gernika, Durango, Barakaldo and Galdakoa. |
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| Local Time: UTC + 2 in Summer. UTC + 1 in Winter. |
| Official Currency: The currency used is the Euro |
| Official Language:Spanish and Basque. |
| Population: Approximately 40 millions inhabitants. |
| Electricity: 220 V. Plugs are rounded and double-pronged. |
| Types of payment: Most shops accept cash and major international credit cards, such as VISA, MasterCard and American Express. |
| Banking hours: Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
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