The port city of Santander (English: /ˌsɑntɑnˈdɛər/, Spanish: [santanˈder]) is the capital of the autonomous community and historical region of Cantabria situated on the north coast of Spain. Located east of Gijón and west of Bilbao, the city has a population of 183,446 (2009).
In the Roman Empire, the city was known as Portus Victoriae Iuliobrigensium. Its present name is possibly derived from Saint Andrew (Sanct Ander) or Saint Emeterio (Santem...
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The port city of Santander (English: /ˌsɑntɑnˈdɛər/, Spanish: [santanˈder]) is the capital of the autonomous community and historical region of Cantabria situated on the north coast of Spain. Located east of Gijón and west of Bilbao, the city has a population of 183,446 (2009).
In the Roman Empire, the city was known as Portus Victoriae Iuliobrigensium. Its present name is possibly derived from Saint Andrew (Sanct Ander) or Saint Emeterio (Santemter, Santenter, Santander), a martyr whose head was brought there in the 3rd century, along with that of Saint Celedonio, according to legend.
In 1187, King Alfonso VIII of Castile made the abbot of San Emeterio lord of the town, and in 1248 Santander participated in the battle for Seville, receiving a coat of arms as reward.
The city owes its existence to the excellent harbour of the Bay of Santander. Santander was an important port for Castile in the later Middle Ages, and also for trade with the New World. It officially became a city in...
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