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60-665: The Gzhelian is more or less coeval with the Stephanian Stage of the regional stratigraphy of Europe. The Gzhelian is named after the Russian village of Gzhel ( Russian : Гжель ), nearby Ramenskoye , not far from Moscow . The name and type locality were defined by Sergei Nikitin (1851–1909) in 1890. The base of the Gzhelian is at the first appearance of the Fusulinida genera Daixina , Jigulites and Rugosofusulina , or at

120-480: A pre-Romanesque church and a palace respectively, which were built by the first Asturian kings on Mount Naranco, to the north of the city ( World Heritage Site ). In modern architecture, the Palacio de Congresos de Oviedo (or Modoo ) was designed by Santiago Calatrava . Gijón , the biggest city of Asturias, is a coastal city known for cultural and sports events, and a beach tourism centre in northern Spain. It also

180-575: A Stephanian epoch or Stephanian series reflecting the stage's earlier status. Sediments younger than the Stephanian are sometimes termed the Autunian , a regional stage which includes the Carboniferous-Permian boundary. From youngest to oldest, the proposed substages of the Stephanian are: The Westphalian-Stephanian boundary is controversial and has not been formally defined. The early part of

240-409: A potential solution to the debate, since the regions of Asturias and Cantabria offer undisrupted and fossil-rich sediments which appear to fill in the gap between Westphalian D and Stephanian A. Most Carboniferous stratigraphers accept the utility of this interval, which has been named as the "Cantabrian" substage, the earliest substage of the Stephanian. Kasimovian-type plants first appear just above

300-559: Is a stage in the regional stratigraphy of northwest Europe with an age between roughly 307.5 and 299 Ma (million years ago) . It is a subdivision of the Carboniferous system or period and the regional Silesian series . The uppermost units of the Coal Measures of England and Wales are probably of Stephanian age, though the larger part of this formation is referred to the earlier Westphalian . The stage derives its name from

360-560: Is a molar-shaped peak which, reputedly, glows orange in the evening sun, hence its name. Weather permitting, it can be viewed from Camarmeña village, near Poncebos, south of Arenas de Cabrales. The shrine to the Virgin of Covadonga and the mountain lakes ( Los Lagos ), near Cangas de Onís : Legend has it that in the 8th century, the Virgin blessed Asturian Christian forces with a well-timed signal to attack Spain's Moorish conquerors, thereby taking

420-583: Is also spoken, and its promotion also falls under the responsibility of Law 1/1998. Eonavian is intermediate between Asturian and Galician , though it is often regarded as just a variety of Galician; its use in the Asturian Administration is minor compared to the use of the Asturian language. Within Asturias, there is an ongoing process to establish place names in Asturian and Eonavian dialects. In 2019,

480-512: Is coextensive with the province of Asturias and contains some of the territory that was part of the larger Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages . Divided into eight comarcas (counties), the autonomous community of Asturias is bordered by Cantabria to the east, by León ( Castile and León ) to the south, by Lugo ( Galicia ) to the west, and by the Cantabrian sea to the north. Asturias

540-732: Is known for the traditional Asturian gastronomy and for being an Asturian cider production spot. Museums in the city include the Universidad Laboral de Gijón , including a modern art museum and theatre. Avilés is the third largest city in Asturias, where "La villa del adelantado" (as locals call it, in reference of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés ) is a meeting point. "Saint Nicholas of Bari" or "Capilla de los Alas" in Romanesque and Romanesque-Gothic style, respectively; Palacio de Balsera, in Modernist style or St. Thomas of Canterbury church (dating from

600-666: Is one of the best conserved in the entire country, and full of vegetation and wild spaces. It holds two of the most important natural parks in Spain, and is very renowned for the Picos de Europa and Somiedo areas. The Gijón area was marked and singled out as one of the pollution hotspots in Western Europe in a 2015 report from the International Institute for Applied Science Systems, where predictions for 2030 conditions were made. Gijón

660-431: Is only just below Western European standards, and exaggerated by the high Spanish life expectancy. Considering that many Asturians live in relatively close proximity to Gijón's heavily industrial areas, these figures (especially for female relative health) still contribute to a position that Gijón is a safe location to live. The numbers for "disability-free" life expectancy has risen significantly both for males and females in

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720-467: Is situated in a mountainous setting with vast greenery and lush vegetation, making it part of Green Spain . The region has a maritime climate . It receives plenty of annual rainfall and little sunshine by Spanish standards and has very moderate seasons, most often averaging in the lower 20s Celsius . Heat waves are rare due to mountains blocking southerly winds. Winters are very mild for the latitude, especially near sea level. The most important cities are

780-399: Is the mining. The reasons for the latter are mainly the high costs of production to extract the coal compared to other regions. Regional economic growth is below the broader Spanish rate, though in recent years growth in service industries has helped reduce Asturias's high rate of unemployment. Large out-of-town retail parks have opened near the region's largest cities (Gijón and Oviedo), whilst

840-529: Is the subdivision of the Asturian municipalities. Currently, there are 857 parishes integrating the 78 municipalities in the region, and they usually coincide with the ecclesiastic divisions. The Cantabrian Mountains ( Cordillera Cantábrica ) form Asturias's natural border with the province of León to the south. In the eastern range, the Picos de Europa National Park contains the highest and arguably most spectacular mountains, rising to 2,648 metres (8,688 ft) at

900-458: The ALSA company. It links Avilés , Gijón , Oviedo and Mieres with Madrid and other major towns, several times a day. These include services to Barcelona , Salamanca , León , Valladolid , A Coruña , Bilbao , Seville , San Sebastián , Paris , Brussels and Nice , to name just a few. Oviedo is the capital city of Asturias and contains Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo ,

960-627: The Centre for Sociological Research carried a study showing the population of Asturias was 65.2% Catholic (25.1% practicing), 13.5% agnostic , and 12.8% atheist . The organisation and political structure of Asturias is governed by the Statute of Autonomy of the Principality of Asturias , in force since 30 January 1982. According to the Statute, the institutional bodies of the Principality of Asturias are three:

1020-609: The Council of Government , the General Junta and President . The form of government of the Principality is Parliament : The General Junta is the legislature to choose, on behalf of the Asturian people, the President of the Principality of Asturias. The president of the Principality is also the president of the Council of Government, the head of executive power , and politically answerable to

1080-518: The Kingdom of León , and during the Middle Ages the geographic isolation of the territory made historical references scarce. Through the rebellion of Prince Henry (the later Henry II of Castile ) in the 14th century, the Principality of Asturias was established. The most famous proponents of independence were Gonzalo Peláez and Queen Urraca , who, while achieving significant victories, were ultimately defeated by Castilian troops. After its integration into

1140-533: The Kingdom of Spain , Asturias provided the Spanish court with high-ranking aristocrats and played an important role in the colonisation of America. Since 1388, the heir to the Castilian (later Spanish) throne has been styled Prince (or Princess) of Asturias . In the 16th century, the population reached 100,000 for the first time, and within another century that number would double due to the arrival of American corn . In

1200-775: The Lower Paleolithic era, and during the Upper Paleolithic , Asturias was characterized by cave paintings in the eastern part of the area. In the Mesolithic period, a native culture developed, that of the Asturiense , and later, with the introduction of the Bronze Age , megaliths and tumuli were constructed. In the Iron Age , the territory came under the cultural influence of the Celts ;

1260-528: The Spanish Crown — was known merely as the "Province of Oviedo" from 1939 until Franco's death in 1975. The province's name was restored fully after the return of democracy to Spain, in 1977. In the 50s and 60s the industrial progress of Asturias continued with the constitution of national enterprises like Ensidesa and Hunosa, but the 80s was the decade of a dramatic industrial restructuring . On 30 December 1981, Asturias became an autonomous community within

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1320-455: The 13th century) are examples which show the historical patrimony to be found in the city. The Centro Niemeyer , designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer , is an example of contemporary architecture in Asturias. The Picos de Europa National Park, and other parts of the Asturian mountain range: The Picu Urriellu mountain (2519 m or 8262 ft), also known as El Naranjo de Bulnes ,

1380-625: The 18th century, Asturias was one of the centres of the Spanish Enlightenment . The renowned Galician thinker Benito de Feijóo settled in the Benedictine Monastery of San Vicente de Oviedo . Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos , a polymath and prominent reformer and politician of the late 18th century, was born in the seaside town of Gijón . During the Napoleonic Wars , Asturias was the first Spanish province to rise up against

1440-415: The 2017 census, 3.65% of population. The only official language in Asturias is Spanish . The Asturian language , also known as Bable, is also spoken, and is protected by law ( Ley 1/1998, de 23 de marzo, de uso y promoción del bable/asturiano — "Law 1/1998, of 23 March, of Use and Promotion of Bable/Asturian"). It is sometimes used by the Asturian civil service . In the western part of Asturias, Eonavian

1500-478: The 2020 census, the region has a population of 1,018,784 which constitutes 2.1% of the population of Spain, with the population density numbering 96 people per square kilometre. Asturian population has the highest mortality rate in Spain and the lowest total fertility rate (1.03), the lowest in the European Union. Immigration is not as high as in other Spanish regions as immigrants only represent, according to

1560-644: The Cantabrian belt known as Green Spain it has high precipitations all year round. Summers are mild and, on the coast, winters also have relatively benign temperatures, rarely including frost. The cold is especially felt in the mountains, where snow is present from October till May. Both rain and snow are regular weather features of Asturian winters. In coastal or near-coastal areas, daytime high temperatures generally average around 12 °C (54 °F) – 13 °C (55 °F) during winter and 22 °C (72 °F) – 23 °C (73 °F) in summer. This part of Spain

1620-507: The French following the abdication of King Ferdinand VII on 10 May 1808. Riots began in Oviedo and on 25 May the local government formally declared war on Napoleon with 18,000 men called to arms to resist invasion. The Industrial Revolution came to Asturias after 1830 with the discovery and systematic exploitation of coal mines and iron factories at the mining basins of Nalón and Caudal . At

1680-457: The General Junta. The functions of the General Junta are the approval of budgets, and the direction and control of the action of the Council of Government. It is composed of 45 deputies, elected for four years through the universal suffrage within a system proportional representation that the allocation of deputies is based on D'Hondt method. For centuries, the backbone of the Asturian economy

1740-575: The Port of Gijón every year for their calls in the Atlantic European Coast. The following areas are available for cruise vessels: These locations allow a high degree of access control, with security guaranteed for both vessels and passengers alike. The city centre is only 4 km (2.5 mi) away and the Port Authority provides dedicated coach connection allowing passengers to take advantage of

1800-612: The Romans, but were never fully conquered. After several centuries without foreign presence, they enjoyed a brief revival during the Germanic invasions of the late 4th century AD, resisting Suebi and Visigoth raids throughout the 5th century AD, ending with the Moorish invasion of Spain . However, as it had been for the Romans and Visigoths, the Moors did not find mountainous territory easy to conquer, and

1860-593: The Spanish interior. Major stops are the regional capital, Oviedo , and the main coastal city, Gijón . Meanwhile, the Renfe Feve rail company links the centre of the region with Eastern and Western Asturias. Under the Cantabrian Mountains , the Pajares Base Tunnel opened for commercial services end of November 2023, introducing AVE high speed trains . There is also a comprehensive bus service run by

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1920-561: The Stephanian is difficult to recognize in much of Europe, due to sediment hiatuses or a transition from coal to unfossiliferous red beds . This issue is most apparent in the Lorraine- Saar-Nahe Basin of France and Germany, where a long hiatus occupies several million years between the Westphalian D and Stephanian A substages. Several workarounds have been proposed, but many bring forward their own problems. Many sources air on

1980-529: The Torrecerredo peak. Other notable features of this predominantly limestone range are the Parque Natural de Redes in the central east, the central Ubiñas south of Oviedo , and the Parque Natural de Somiedo in the west. The Cantabrian mountains offer opportunities for activities such as climbing, walking, skiing and caving, and extend some 200 kilometres (120 mi) in total, as far as Galicia province to

2040-430: The area since 1986, according to the report. The coal fired electric generating plant, Aboño, completed a Spanish government/EU demand to install equipment to drastically reduce its emissions. Also, the other two major polluters - Arcelor Gijón and Arcelor Avilés - have announced an investment of 100 million euros to do the same. These factories have been a major cause of the area's high airborne pollution. According to

2100-516: The base of the Cantabrian, arguing that the base of the Stephanian is slightly older than the start of the Kasimovian (around 307 Ma). Asturias Asturias ( / æ ˈ s t ʊər i ə s , ə -/ ; Spanish: [asˈtuɾjas] ; Asturian : Asturies [asˈtuɾjes; -ɾjɪs] ) officially the Principality of Asturias , is an autonomous community in northwest Spain . It

2160-683: The base of the Gzhelian Stage has not been allocated. A candidate is a section along the Ussolka river (a tributary of the Belaya river) at the edge of the hamlet of Krasnoussolsky, about 120 kilometres (75 mi) southeast of Ufa and 60 kilometres (37 mi) northeast of Sterlitamak (in Bashkortostan ). The Gzhelian Stage is subdivided into five biozones , based on the conodont genus Streptognathodus : Stephanian (stage) The Stephanian

2220-485: The centralist government of the Second Spanish Republic . For a month, a Popular Front Committee exercised control in southern Asturias, while local workers committees sprang up elsewhere in the region. A defense committee led by anarcho-syndicalist supporters took power in Oviedo. Troops under the command of a then unknown general named Francisco Franco Bahamonde were brought from Spanish Morocco to suppress

2280-573: The city of Saint-Étienne for its coal mining basin in eastern central France (which itself derives from associations with Saint Stephen ) where strata of this age occur. In the official geologic timescale of the ICS , the Stephanian is placed within the Pennsylvanian epoch (323-299 Ma). The (regionally defined) Stephanian stage corresponds to the (internationally used) Kasimovian and Gzhelian stages. References appear in scientific literature to

2340-463: The communal capital, Oviedo , the seaport and largest city Gijón , and the industrial town of Avilés . Other municipalities in Asturias include Cangas de Onís , Cangas del Narcea , Gozón , Grado , Langreo , Llanera , Laviana , Lena , Llanes , Mieres , Siero , Valdés , Vegadeo and Villaviciosa ( see also List of municipalities and comarcas in Asturias ). Asturias was inhabited first by Homo erectus , then by Neanderthals . Since

2400-501: The cultural, gastronomic and commercial opportunities that Gijón has to offer. Between 2010 and 2014, the city of Gijón was connected by ferry with the French city of Nantes . This connection was also known as the "sea highway" and it had a frequency of two ferries per day in both directions. The route was cancelled in September 2014. Spain's national Renfe rail network also serves Asturias well; trains regularly depart to and from

2460-531: The decentralised territorial structure established by the Constitution of 1978. Rafael Luis Fernández Álvarez , who had previously served as the President of the Regional Council since 1978, became the first President of the Principality of Asturias , upon the adoption of autonomy. The Asturian regional government holds comprehensive competencies in important areas such as health, education and protection of

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2520-469: The decline of the mining industry, and grew just 0.82% in 2008, the lowest of all regions in Spain. On the plus side, unemployment in Asturias is below the average of Spain; it stood at 13.7% in 2017. Asturias is served by Asturias International Airport (OVD) , 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Oviedo, near the northwest coast and the industrial town of Avilés. Eastern Asturias is also easily accessible from Santander Airport . Recent improvements introduced in

2580-400: The environment. The current president, elected in 2019, is Adrián Barbón ( PSOE ). Asturias is organised territorially into 78 municipalities , further subdivided into parishes . Asturias is also divided into eight comarcas , which are not administrative divisions. They are only used as a system to homogenize the statistical data made by the Principality. The parroquia or parish

2640-510: The ever-present Spanish construction industry appears to continue to thrive. Asturias has benefited extensively since 1986 from European Union investment in roads and other essential infrastructure , though there has also been some controversy regarding how these funds are spent, for example, on miners' pensions. The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the autonomous community was 23.3 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 1.9% of Spanish economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power

2700-574: The first appearance of the conodont Streptognathodus zethus . The top of the stage (the base of the Permian system) is at the first appearance of the conodont Streptognathodus isolatus within the Streptognathus "wabaunsensis" chronocline. Six metres (20 ft) higher in the reference profile, the Fusulinida species Sphaeroschwagerina vulgaris aktjubensis appears. Currently, a golden spike for

2760-507: The invaders by surprise in the Battle of Covadonga . The Reconquista and eventual unification of all Spain is therefore said to have started in this very location. The paleolithic art in the caves of Asturias is a declared World Heritage Site with the Paleolithic Art of Northern Spain . Asturias also has examples of industrial heritage as a consequence of its industrial activities in

2820-571: The lands along Spain's northern coast never became part of Islamic Spain . With the beginning of the Moorish conquest in the 8th century, this region became a refuge for Christian nobles, and in 722, a de facto independent kingdom was established, the Regnum Asturorum , which was to become the cradle of the incipient Reconquista (Reconquest). In the 10th century, the Kingdom of Asturias gave way to

2880-693: The local Celtic peoples, known as the Astures , were composed of tribes such as the Luggones , the Pesicos , and others, who populated the entire area with castros (fortified hill-towns). Today the Astur Celtic influence persists in place names , such as those of rivers and mountains. With the conquest of Asturias by the Romans under Augustus (29–19 BC), the region entered into recorded history. The Astures were subdued by

2940-417: The port of Gijón, so pollution would be likely to heavily affect the population. A Spanish government study conducted in 2010 regarding life expectancy in relative communities, Asturias was ranked lowest (tied with Andalucia ) for male life expectancy with 76.7 years from 2007 readings. However, female life expectancy was 84 years and normal among autonomous communities. However, even the male life expectancy

3000-497: The region is dotted with many large modernista villas, as well as cultural institutions such as free schools and public libraries. Asturias played an important part in the events that led up to the Spanish Civil War . In October 1934, Asturian miners and other workers staged an armed uprising (see Revolution of Asturias ) to oppose the coming to power of the right-wing CEDA party, which had obtained three ministerial posts in

3060-503: The revolt. Franco applied tactics normally reserved for overseas colonies, using troops of the Spanish Legion and Moroccan troops ; ferocious oppression followed. As a result, Asturias remained loyal to the republican government during the Spanish Civil War , and was the scene of an extraordinary defence in extreme terrain, the Battle of El Mazuco . With Franco eventually gaining control of all Spain, Asturias — traditionally linked to

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3120-426: The road network permit flying into Santander and later driving into Asturias, which can be entered in less than an hour's drive. The Irish airline Ryanair operates flights to Santander Airport from Frankfurt Hahn, Liverpool, Dublin, Edinburgh, London Stansted and Rome Ciampino. El Musel (the Port of Gijón) is able to receive cruise ships of any size. Companies such as P&O, Swan Hellenic or Hapag Lloyd choose

3180-533: The same time, there was significant migration to the Americas (especially Argentina , Uruguay , Puerto Rico , Cuba and Mexico ); those who succeeded overseas often returned to their native land much wealthier. These entrepreneurs were known collectively as Indianos , for having visited and made their fortunes in the West Indies and beyond. The heritage of these wealthy families can still be seen in Asturias today:

3240-470: The side of caution and position the start of the Stephanian at the end of the hiatus. By that time, Kasimovian-type plant species are well-established, suggesting that part of the Westphalian D is Kasimovian in age. Other studies disagree with this approach, instead defining the Westphalian-Stephanian boundary at a major transition of plant faunas prior to the hiatus. Northwest Spain seems to offer

3300-528: The summer resort of Llanes, such as the Barro, Ballota and Torimbia (the latter a predominantly nudist beach). Most of Asturias's beaches are sandy, clean, and bordered by steep cliffs, on top of which it is not unusual to see grazing livestock. The key features of Asturian geography are its rugged coastal cliffs and the mountainous interior. The climate of Asturias is heavily marked by the Gulf Stream. Falling within

3360-416: The west of Asturias and Cantabria province to the east. Similar opportunities are available for the interested traveler of Asturias in Caldoveiro Peak . The Asturian coastline is extensive, with hundreds of beaches, coves and natural sea caves. Notable examples include the Playa del Silencio ( Beach of Silence ) near the fishing village of Cudillero (west of Gijón ), as well as the many beaches surrounding

3420-439: Was agriculture and fishing . Milk production and its derivatives was also traditional, but its big development was a byproduct of the economic expansion of the late 1960s. Nowadays, products from the dairy cooperative Central Lechera Asturiana are being commercialised all over Spain. The main regional industry in modern times, however, was coal mining and steel production: in the times of Francisco Franco's dictatorship, it

3480-401: Was 24,400 euros or 81% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 98% of the EU average. This makes the region the 10th richest in Spain, a big decrease from the 1970s/1980s - the heyday of the Spanish mining industry, when Asturias was commonly regarded as one of the most prosperous regions in Southern Europe. Asturias has been growing below the Spanish national average since

3540-414: Was marked much higher than any other Spanish metro area, in spite of the much larger populations in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona . This was attributed to heavy industrial activities. Since outdoor air pollution is a major cause of premature death in Europe, the excessive pollution is a major concern for Asturias. The majority of Asturias population live within a 25 kilometres (16 mi) range from

3600-418: Was the centre of Spain's steel industry. The then state-owned ENSIDESA steel company is now part of the privatised Aceralia , now part of the ArcelorMittal Group. The industry created many jobs, which resulted in significant migration from other regions in Spain, mainly Extremadura , Andalusia and Castile and León . The steel industry is now in decline when measured in terms of number of jobs provided, as

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