Barbate

Barbate
Barbate
Municipality
	Flag Coat of arms
	Nickname: The Tuna's Town
	Barbate Location in Spain Barbate Barbate (Andalusia)
	Coordinates:36°11′N5°55′W/ 36.183°N 5.917°W
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Andalucía
Province	Cádiz
Government
•Mayor	Miguel Molina (AxSí)
Area
• Total	142.17 km2(54.89 sq mi)
Elevation	14 m (46 ft)
Population (2018)
• Total	22,551
• Density	160/km2(410/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Barbateño, ña
Time zone	UTC+1(CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2(CEST)
Postal code	11160
Website	barbate.es

Barbateis aSpanish municipalityin theProvince of Cádiz,in the autonomous community ofAndalusia.It is a coastal town located on the shores of theAtlantic Ocean,close to theStrait of Gibraltar.Covering a total area of 142.17 km²,it has, as of 2019, a registered population of 22,518.^[2]

Geography

Barbate is at the mouth of theRiver Barbate,11 kilometres (6.8 mi) along the coast east ofCape Trafalgarand within theLa Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park.

The "Tómbolo de Trafalgar", a local point of interest, comprises a sandyisthmusjoining Cape Trafalgar to the mainland.

It is ascribed to thecomarcaofLa Janda.^[3]

History

Barbate has been traditionally identified as the RomanoppidumofBaessipo[es]although there are also recent tentative suggestions about a location of the aforementioned settlement in nearbyVejer de la Frontera.^[4]

From the 1930s the town was known as Barbate de Franco because GeneralFrancisco Francospent leisure time there. It ceased to be called this in 1998 after a decree was passed by theJunta de Andalucia.

Barbate has a long history of fishing stretching back to Roman times when fish salting was at its peak. The town has a central square, "Plaza de la Inmaculada", flanked by the Town Hall and the Church of St. Paul. Barbate is popular with Spanish tourists in the summer, but attracts few foreign visitors.^[5]

Fiestas

Barbate celebrates several fiestas during the year:

"Carnival"is celebrated in February or March, usually the week after it is celebrated in Cádiz. A temporary building is erected by the river and during the appointed week there are various dramatic, satirical and musical events. The Six Taps Square (la Plaza de los Seis Grifos) is a particular centre of activity.
Holy Weekis celebrated during the week before Easter with religious processions through the streets starting onPalm Sundaythrough toGood FridayandEaster Sunday.
Tuna Gastronomy week has been held since 2008 to celebrate the central role of tuna in the towns economy. It takes the form of a fair with temporary buildings, local trade stands and other attractions
St John's Night, traditionally on 23 June during the evening, artificial figures of local outstanding people, national celebrities or politicians are burned, it is customary to go down to the beach to cool down after the bonfires.
St. Carmen's Fair (Feria del Carmen) held on 16 July to celebrate the patron saint of fishermen and the town.
The Great Sardine Festival (La Gran Sardina) is held in the port area to enjoy the sardine season and its produce.^[5]