Galicia (Spain)

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

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

GaliciaorGalizais anationalityinSpainthat became aSpanish autonomous communityin 1978. It is in the northwest of theIberian Peninsula.It shares borders withPortugalto the South and the communities ofCastile and LeónandAsturiasto the east.

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 theManuel Fragayears. The Xunta de Galicia was then under a socialist presidentEmilio 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 isAlberto Núñez Feijoo,who won a second term as president in 2012.

Language

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

Cuisine

Galicia is very famous for itsfishing industryandseafoodremains an important part of its cuisine. A very popular dish in Galicia ispolbo á feira,( "polbo" meansoctopus). There are manyrestaurantsthat serve seafood in Galicia.