Avilés
| Avilés | |||
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 Avilés
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| Coordinates: 43°33′22″N 5°54′30″W / 43.55611°N 5.90833°WCoordinates: 43°33′22″N 5°54′30″W / 43.55611°N 5.90833°W | |||
| Country |
 Spain
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| Autonomous community | Asturias | ||
| Province | Asturias | ||
| Comarca | Avilés | ||
| Capital | Avilés | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Mariví Monteserín (PSOE) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 26.81 km2 (10.35 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 139 m (456 ft) | ||
| Population (2008) | |||
| • Total | 80,880 (2,015) | ||
| Demonym(s) | avilesino | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 33401 to 33403 | ||
| Official language(s) | Spanish | ||
| Website | Official website | ||
Avilés (Spanish pronunciation: [aβiˈles]) is a city in Asturias, Spain. Avilés is with Oviedo and Gijón, one of the main towns in the Principality of Asturias.
The town occupies the flattest land in the municipality, in a land that belonged to the sea, surrounded by small promontories, all of them having an altitude of less than 140 metres. Situated in the Avilés estuary, in the Northern Central area of the Asturian coast, west of Peñas Cape, it has a national seaport and is an industrial city. It is close to popular beaches such as Salinas. It also has important churches like St. Thomas of Canterbury. Avilés has the Centro Cultural Oscar Niemeyer, too.
The area experiences an oceanic climate, warm summers with both overcast and sunny days. In winter the weather is moderate, with significant rains and wind, although sometimes the cold climate of Asturias results in snowfall at sea level. The temperature is rarely below zero or over 30 °C (86 °F). Summer highs are exceptionally low by Spanish standards due its heavy maritime features and northerly position in the country.
Archaeological excavations have shown that the area was already settled in the upper palaeolithic era.
The existence of the town proper date is documented only in the early Middle Ages, although the name "Avilés" is thought to come from a local Roman landowner, Abilius.
The first well known document is an endowment of two churches by Asturias King Alfonso III, in 905. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the most important ports of the Biscay Bay, trading mainly with French ports, the main trade was salt. At this time, it had two nuclei: a fishermen's district, Sabugo, and the aristocratic centre, La Villa, standing each other across a small water inlet at the site of present-day Avilés' main Park. La Villa was surrounded by strong walls, which demonstrated its strategic and commercial importance. On 15 January 1479 the Catholic Monarchs granted a free market on each Monday of the year, which still takes place. The importance of the town as a naval centre is supported by the building of ships with wood harvested from nearby forests, and with the participation of local sailors in the conquest of Seville by the Castilian army, which is reflected in Avilés's coat of arms.
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Wikipedia