Garai(inBasqueand officially, inSpanishGaray) is anelizate,town andmunicipalitylocated in the province ofBiscay,in theBasque Country,Spain. Garai is part of thecomarcaofDurangaldeaand has a population of 318 inhabitants as of 2009 according to theSpanish National Statistics Institute.
Garai | |
|---|---|
 Overview of Garai | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Location of Garai within Biscay | |
  Garai Location of Garai within the Basque Country  Garai Garai (Spain) | |
| Coordinates:43°11′41″N2°36′35″W/ 43.19472°N 2.60972°W | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community |  País Vasco |
| Province | Biscay |
| Comarca | Durangaldea |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Gontzal Sarrigoitia (Herriko Taldea) |
| Area | |
• Total | 7.12 km2(2.75 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 300 m (1,000 ft) |
| Population (2018)[1] | |
• Total | 320 |
| • Density | 45/km2(120/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Garaitarra |
| Time zone | UTC+1(CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2(CEST) |
| Postal code | 48200 |
Toponymy
editThe complete name of theelizatewasSan Miguel de Garay,but the municipality was named just "Garay". The name may have two different origins; one due its geographical location, as Garai is located in the upper area ofDurangaldeaandgaraiis theBasqueword for "upper" or "the upper part"; but also, the name might be related to thehórreos,very common in this area ofBiscayand that have the Basque name ofgaraidxe.Then,San Miguel de Garaycould be translated as "San Miguel of the upper part" of "San Miguel of the hórreos".
Traditionally, the name of the town has been written as "Garay", but according to the new orthographic rules of theBasque language,the correct spelling is "Garai". In the 1990s, the town hall changed the official denomination fromGaraytoGarai.
History
editAs happens with most of theelizates,the origin and date of foundation of the town is unknown. As a member of the ancient merindad of Durango, it had voice and right to vote in the Juntas of Guerendiaga, where it occupied the seat number six. The town was divided into two neighborhoods and it was focused on farming activities; production ofcorn,wheat,several sorts ofvegetables,legumes,cherries,applesandchestnuts.
In the oldest part of the town is located a small palace-baserrinamedGaratikuaand built byJuan de Garay,governor ofParaguay.In the 19th century, it was called "Garay-Goitia".
On May 1, 1966, the terrorist-separatist organizationETAoccupied the town for several hours in one of its first official actions. The telephone lines were shut down, severalgraffitieswere made and theIkurriña(at that time, illegal) was set on a visible part of the town. The command abandoned the town before the arriving of theCivil Guard.
Geography
editGarai is located in the eastern part of the province ofBiscay,in thecomarcaofDurangaldea,northernSpain.It has an extension of 7,12 km2.It limits at north and east withBerriz,at south withAbadiñoand at west withIurreta.
References
edit- ^Municipal Register of Spain 2018.National Statistics Institute.
External links
edit
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