GALICIA, SPAIN

Galicia is a region in northwest Spain (here’s a map). The area includes 1,300 km (807 miles) of coastline, and 772 beaches. There are two official languages in Galicia: Castilian (Spanish) and Galician. Only 4,000,000 people speak Galician, which is similar to Portuguese. The Northern Portuguese have a better understanding of it than Castilian speakers (see this chart for similarities and differences between the two languages). In the medieval ages Galicia was an independent country. I was surprised to learn that Galicians are cousins to Bretons, Scots and Welsh. No wonder so many people there have fair skin and red hair. It also explained why bagpipes are very important musical instruments to the Galicians. The name "Galicia" comes from the Latin "Gallaecia," which is associated with an ancient Celtic tribe that lived above the Douro River. Here are links to learn more about the Spanish language, and the history of Galicia deriving from Celtic culture.