Barakaldo

Barakaldo (Spanish: Baracaldo) is a municipality located in the Biscay province in the Basque Country. Located on the Left Bank of the Estuary of Bilbao, the city is part of Greater Bilbao with a population as of the 2019 census at 100,881;.[3] Barakaldo has an industrial river-port heritage and has undergone significant redevelopment with new commercial and residential areas replacing the once active industrial zones.

Barakaldo
City
Panoramic view of Barakaldo, from Mount Sasibora
Flag
Coat of arms
Barakaldo
Location of Barakaldo within the Basque Country
Coordinates: 43°17′50″N 2°59′30″W
Country Spain
Autonomous communityBasque Country
ProvinceBiscay
ComarcaGreater Bilbao
Foundedpre 1051
Government
 • MayoressAmaia del Campo Berasategi (2015-Today) (PNV)
Area
 • Total25.03 km2 (9.66 sq mi)
Elevation39 m (128 ft)
Highest elevation
560 m (1,840 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2018)[2]
 • Total100,435
 • Density4,000/km2 (10,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)baracaldés, -sa
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
48900, 48901, 48902 and 48903
Dialing code94
WebsiteOfficial website

History
Devil's Bridge over the river Kadagua between Barakaldo and Bilbao

The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica[4] original entry on the town stated:

"Pop.(1900): 15,013. Few Spanish towns have developed more rapidly than Baracaldo [sic], which nearly doubled its population between 1880 and 1900. During this period many immigrant labourers settled here; for the iron works and dynamite factory of Baracaldo prospered greatly, owing to the increased output of the Biscayan mines, the extension of railways in the neighbourhood, and the growth of shipping at Bilbao. The low flat country round Baracaldo is covered with maize, pod fruit and vines".

Iron mining formed a large part of Barakaldo's industry, making it the endpoint of a mining railway. The steel industry, led by Altos Hornos de Vizcaya, had an important presence during the 20th century, until the industrial recession hit the region's economy in the 1980s.

New malls on both sides of the A-8 motorway

In recent decades, the industrial zones surrounding Barakaldo have become less prominent, which can be owed to the shuttering of large companies such as Babcock & Wilcox. Although several factories remain, areas that were once industrial have been redeveloped into residential properties such as malls and parks. A large exhibition centre. the Bilbao Exhibition Centre has recently been built on the outskirts of the town.

Transport
Entrance to Bagatza Metro station

Barakaldo is connected to the rest of the Greater Bilbao metropolitan area by Line 2 of the Metro Bilbao. Four stations are in the city: Gurutzeta/Cruces, Ansio, Barakaldo and Bagatza). The Cercanías Bilbao train line has two stations in Barakaldo (Lutxana and Desertu-Barakaldo). BizkaiBus company provides a bus service, with connections to the rest of Biscay.

Locally, an urban bus system named Kbus operates with two lines. A tram line has been proposed to connect local districts.

The main motorway is the A-8 motorway, which also goes between Bilbao. It serves as the main road link between Greater Bilbao and the rest of Spain.

A boat ferry service connects Barakaldo to the other side of the Estuary of Bilbao in Erandio. Barakaldo is located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Bilbao Airport.

Demographics

Population peaked in the 1990s to over 100,300. The decline of local industry decreased the population, though, and in 2002, 95,000 people lived in Barakaldo. However, a recent increase has sent the population to 100,502 residents.

Tourism
Plaza de Cruces - Gurutzeta, as seen from the Hospital.

Tourists visit sites in Barakaldo such as the Botanic Garden, the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, the medieval Bridge of Castrexana, and some of the city's street sculptures.[5] In July, the town celebrates "Las Fiestas del Carmen," which includes open-air concerts and large fairs.[6]

Sports
Bide Onera Square (Plaza Bide Onera)
A stone drilling contest at Saint Vincent's fiestas

Barakaldo is represented by the Barakaldo Club de Fútbol in Spain's Segunda División B. They play home games at the Estadio Nuevo Lasesarre. A second team, SD Retuerto Sport, plays in Tercera División. Local league teams include Gurutzeta KFT, UD Burtzeña, Pauldarrak FKT, Zuazo C.F. and S.C.D. Dosa-Salesianos.

Handball has played a part in Barakaldo's tradition. Now, two teams are present in competitions: Club Balonmano Zuazo Femenino, playing in División de Honor Femenina de Balonmano, and Club Balonmano Barakaldo who plays in the Liga ASOBAL.

Bizkaia Arena is an indoor arena with a capacity of 18,640. It hosted some games of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Notable natives

See also

References
  1. Instituto Vasco de Estadística, ed. (2005). "Extensión superficial y altitud por ámbitos territoriales". Retrieved 10 February 2009.
  2. Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  3. Instituto Nacional de Estadistica, Madrid.
  4. Chisholm 1911.
  5. "Barakaldo Official Tourism Web (In English)". Archived from the original on 2013-03-08. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  6. Carmenes de Baracaldo, 2001, retrieved May 12, 2020


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