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Bilbao
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Toponymy and symbols
The official name of the town is Bilbao, as known in most languages of the world. Euskaltzaindia, the official regulatory institution of the Basque language, has agreed that between the two possible names existing in Basque, Bilbao and Bilbo, the historical name is Bilbo, while Bilbao is the official name.WEB,www.euskaltzaindia.net/index.php?option=com_eoda&Itemid=191&lang=eu&view=frontpage,www.euskaltzaindia.net/index.php?option=com_eoda&Itemid=191&lang=eu&view=frontpage," title="web.archive.org/web/20090730011412www.euskaltzaindia.net/index.php?option=com_eoda&Itemid=191&lang=eu&view=frontpage,">web.archive.org/web/20090730011412www.euskaltzaindia.net/index.php?option=com_eoda&Itemid=191&lang=eu&view=frontpage, dead, 30 July 2009, Euskal Onomastikaren Datutegia, Euskaltzaindia, 7 October 2010, eu, Although the term Bilbo does not appear in old documents, in the play The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare, there is a reference to swords presumably made of Biscayan iron which he calls “bilboes”, suggesting that it is a word used since at least the sixteenth century.WEB,gladius.revistas.csic.es/index.php/gladius/article/viewFile/90/91, La producción de armas blancas en Bilbao durante el Siglo XVI, Dueñas Beraiz, Germán, Gladius XXI, 2001, 19 July 2008, 24 January 2009,gladius.revistas.csic.es/index.php/gladius/article/viewFile/90/91," title="web.archive.org/web/20090124071948gladius.revistas.csic.es/index.php/gladius/article/viewFile/90/91,">web.archive.org/web/20090124071948gladius.revistas.csic.es/index.php/gladius/article/viewFile/90/91, live, BOOK,books.google.com/books?id=yT2YBt-iHgcC&q=bilbao&pg=PA51, Shakespeare’s military language, 10 April 2011, 9780826477774, 2004, Edelman, Charles, A&C Black, 17 February 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220217062409/https://books.google.com/books?id=yT2YBt-iHgcC&q=bilbao&pg=PA51, live, Beascoechea 1999: 138EB1911, Bilbo, 3, 931, There is no consensus among historians about the origin of the name. Generally accepted accounts state that prior to the 12th century, the independent rulers of the territory, named Lords of Zubialdea, were also known as Lords of Bilbao la Vieja (“Old Bilbao“). The symbols of their patrimony are the tower and church used in the shield of Bilbao to this day.Historia de Vizcaya a través de la prensa, Volume 2 One possible origin was suggested by the engineer Evaristo de Churruca. He said that it was a Basque custom to name a place after its location. For Bilbao this would be the result of the union of the Basque words for river and cove: Bil-Ibaia-Bao.Quiroga 2001: 41 The historian José Tussel Gómez argues that it is just a natural evolution of the Spanish words bello vado, beautiful ford.Tusell 2004: 22. On the other hand, according to the writer Esteban Calle Iturrino, the name derives from the two settlements that existed on both banks of the estuary, rather than from the estuary itself. The first, where the present Casco Viejo is located, would be called billa, which means stacking in Basque, after the configuration of the buildings. The second, on the left bank, where now Bilbao La Vieja is located, would be called vaho, Spanish for mist or steam. From the union of these two derives the name Bilbao, which was also written as Bilvao and Biluao, as documented in its municipal charter.WEB, Adeliño Ortega, Charo, Carta Puebla, Bilbao 700, 6,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_1.pdf, 18 July 2008,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_1.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20080724095114www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_1.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20080724095114www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_1.pdf, 24 July 2008, dead, dmy-all, An -ao ending is also present in nearby Sestao and Ugao, that could be explained from Basque aho, “mouth”.Demonym
The demonym is bilbaÃno, -a”, although the popular pronunciation bilbaino/a (sic) is also frequent.WEB, Iñaki Azkuna, Iñaki Azkuna, February 2007,www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200702/pag07.pdf,www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200702/pag07.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20150923191301www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200702/pag07.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20150923191301www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200702/pag07.pdf, dead, 2015-09-23, Al mayor Robles, Bilbao Newspaper, Bilbao City Council, July 19, 2008, In Basque, it is bilbotar, which is sometimes also used in Spanish, generally within the Basque Country.See examples in the following articles journalistic. For the female gender: The Euskal Museum Herria opens an exhibition of the bilbotarra Mabi Revuelta.{{dead link|date=January 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} For the male: www.deia.es/es/digital/bizkaia/2008/03/08/449427.php" title="web.archive.org/web/20090123095721www.deia.es/es/digital/bizkaia/2008/03/08/449427.php">A bilbotarra will soon open the first Basque restaurant in Shanghai, with almost 90 traditional dishes. In plural number: The Film Festival Fantastic «terrorizes» the bilbotarras{{Dead link|date=January 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The village is affectionately known by its inhabitants as the meaning “hole”, since it is surrounded by mountains.WEB,www.euskonews.com/0313zbk/gaia31303es.html, The botxo: Etymology of a name of Bilbao, Gómez Pérez, Josu, euskonews.com, September 9, 2005, July 25, 2008,www.euskonews.com/0313zbk/gaia31303es.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20081002123915www.euskonews.com/0313zbk/gaia31303es.html,">web.archive.org/web/20081002123915www.euskonews.com/0313zbk/gaia31303es.html, October 2, 2008, The nickname botxero is derived from this nickname. Another nickname that Bilbao receives is that of chimbos, which comes from birds that were hunted in large numbers in these places during the 19th century.WEB,www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070102/vizcaya/cazando-bilbao_20070102.html, El Correo Español, Cazando Bilbao, Olmo, January 2, 2007, July 25, 2008, 22 January 2009,www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070102/vizcaya/cazando-bilbao_20070102.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20090122205505www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070102/vizcaya/cazando-bilbao_20070102.html,">web.archive.org/web/20090122205505www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070102/vizcaya/cazando-bilbao_20070102.html, live, See also Chimbos and Chimberos{{dead link|date=January 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} of Miguel de Unamuno.The titles, the flag and the coat of arms are Bilbao’s traditional symbols and belong to its historic patrimony, being used in formal acts, for the identification and decoration of specific places or for the validation of documents.Titles
Bilbao holds the historic category of township (villa), with the titles of “Very noble and very loyal and unbeaten” (Muy Noble y Muy Leal e Invicta). It was the Catholic Monarchs who awarded the title “Noble Town” (Noble Villa) on 20 September 1475. Philip III of Spain, via a letter in 1603 awarded the town the titles of “Very noble and very loyal”.GUIARD LARRAURI, Teófilo y RODRÃGUEZ HERRERO, Ãngel: Historia de la Noble Villa de Bilbao. Editorial La Gran Enciclopedia Vasca, 1971. pag. 8 After the siege of Bilbao, during the First Carlist War, on 25 December 1836, the title of “Unbeaten” was added.WEB,www.euskonews.com/0351zbk/gaia35103es.html,www.euskonews.com/0351zbk/gaia35103es.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20060617101906www.euskonews.com/0351zbk/gaia35103es.html,">web.archive.org/web/20060617101906www.euskonews.com/0351zbk/gaia35103es.html, 17 June 2006, dead, AZPIAZU CANIVELL, Mª Dolores, La Sociedad El Sitio. Más de 130 años de liberalismo bilbaÃno, euskonews.com, 3 December 2008, dmy-all,Coat of arms
(File:Escudo heráldico de Bilbao.svg|thumb|upright=0.6|The coat of arms of Bilbao)The coat of arms is emblazoned as follows:{{blockquote|In a silver field a bridge with two eyes, added to the church of San Antón of its color and to its sinister two sable wolves walking and in stick, on waves of azure and silver.www.bizkaia.net/udalnet/directorio_municipal/pdf/heral020.pdf" title="web.archive.org/web/20150603010831www.bizkaia.net/udalnet/directorio_municipal/pdf/heral020.pdf">Directory of municipal information. Diputación de Vizcaya}}Flag
The flag that represents the city is white with a red block, in a ratio of three parts long by two wide. The colors red and white are the historical ones of the villa.The Royal Order of 30 July 1845 determined the maritime password for the population. This was defined as a white flag with an upper red die next to the pod. The die should be square and the length of its side should equal half of the pod. Previously, at least since 1511, the banner that the Bilbao Consulate was wearing was white with a red Cross of Burgundy. The relationship of the town with the mercantile and marine activities was always very strong coming to share headquarters. In 1603 the new consistorial house is inaugurated and in it the headquarters of the city council and of the referred one Bilbao Consulate are located. The intimate relationship made the flag of the Consulate was related as a flag of the town by citizenship.The definition of the maritime flag in 1845 was assumed by the population, who accepted it as their own, and so did the city council. At the inauguration of the Bilbao-Miranda de Ebro railway line, it was already used as a symbol of the town’s representation, being permanently adopted in 1895 although no resolution has been adopted for this purpose.«Una bandera de nuestros padres.» {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506175515www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/20090503/vizcaya/bandera-nuestros-padres-20090503.html |date=6 May 2009 }} “El Correo”.Although it has always been assumed by the municipal institution and citizenship, at the beginning of the 20th century it was discussed in a municipal plenary session about the determination of a flag for the town. There was talk about “the use of the crimson color of the Lordship of Biscay, or of the cross of Saint Andrew” but without reaching any resolution to the effect.The maritime flag of Bilbao. The city has adopted the banner created in 1845 for merchant ships, but the City Council has not officially adopted it. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506175413www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/20090503/vizcaya/bandera-maritima-bilbao-20090503.html |date=6 May 2009 }} “El Correo”.History
{{see also|Timeline of Bilbao}}Prehistory
Remains of an ancient settlement were found on the top of Mount MalmasÃn, dating from around the 3rd or 2nd century BC.WEB, Asociación de Periodistas de Vizcaya, Crónica de siete siglos, Bilbao 700, 24,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf, 17 July 2008,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20080724095226www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20080724095226www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf, 24 July 2008, dead, Sánchez-Beascoetxea 2006: 28 Burial sites were also found on mounts Avril and Artxanda, dated 6,000 years old. Some authors identify the old settlement of Bilbao as Amanun Portus, cited by Pliny the Elder, or with Flaviobriga, by Ptolemy.Medieval Bilbao
File:Don Diego López de Haro V.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|Statue of Diego López V de HaroDiego López V de HaroAncient walls, which date from around the 11th century, have been discovered below the Church of San Antón. Bilbao was one of the first towns founded in the fourteenth century, during a period in which approximately three-quarters of the Biscayan cities were developed, among them Portugalete in 1323, Ondarroa in 1327, Lekeitio in 1335, and Mungia and Larrabetzu in 1376.Gómez Piñeiro 1979: 96 Diego López V de Haro, then third Lord of Biscay, founded Bilbao through a municipal charter dated in Valladolid on 15 June 1300 and confirmed by King Ferdinand IV of Castile in Burgos, on 4 January 1301. Diego López established the new town on the right bank of the Nervión river, on the grounds of the elizate of Begoña and granted it the fuero of Logroño, a compilation of rights and privileges that would prove fundamental to its later development.Tussel Gómez 2004: 19In 1310 MarÃa DÃaz I de Haro, niece of Diego López V and Lady of Biscay, grants a new municipal charter to the city, which extends its commercial privileges even further, transforming the city in a mandatory stop for all the trade coming from Castile towards the sea. This second charter established that the road from Orduña to Bermeo, at the time the most important trade route in the lordship, had to traverse the San Antón Bridge in Bilbao instead of the pass in Etxebarri, as it did until then. This strengthened the position of Bilbao as a trading post, in detriment of Bermeo, city which until then had acted as the main port of the territory.MONTERO, Manuel. p. 11. In addition, Bilbao was granted exclusive rights to all trade between the city and Las Arenas. In 1372, John I of Castile strengthened even more the city’s position by naming Bilbao a free port and granting it special privileges concerning the trade of iron.WEB,www.bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1272986929362&language=es&pageid=1272986929362&pagename=BilbaoIzan%2FPage%2FBIZ_contenidoFinal, Brief History of the City (in Spanish), 17 August 2018, 23 September 2015,www.bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1272986929362&language=es&pageid=1272986929362&pagename=BilbaoIzan%2FPage%2FBIZ_contenidoFinal," title="web.archive.org/web/20150923191654www.bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1272986929362&language=es&pageid=1272986929362&pagename=BilbaoIzan%2FPage%2FBIZ_contenidoFinal,">web.archive.org/web/20150923191654www.bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1272986929362&language=es&pageid=1272986929362&pagename=BilbaoIzan%2FPage%2FBIZ_contenidoFinal, live, This caused Bilbao to become an important port, particularly due to its trade with Flanders and Great Britain.In 1443 the Church of Saint Anthony the Great was enshrined, having been built in the place of an old alcázar. Still today the church is one of the oldest extant buildings of the city. On 5 September 1483, the Queen Isabella I of Castile traveled to Bilbao to swear fealty to the fueros of Biscay. Her husband, Ferdinand II of Aragon had already done so in 1476 in Gernika.{{Harvnb|Beascoechea Madina|1999|p=199}}Modern age
File:Bilbao1575.jpg|thumb|right|First engraving of the city, made by Franz HohenbergFranz HohenbergOn 21 June 1511, Queen Joanna of Castile ordered the creation of the Consulate of the Sea of Bilbao. This would become the most influential institution of the borough for centuries, and would claim jurisdiction over the estuary, improving its infrastructure. Under the Consulate’s control, the port of Bilbao became one of the most important of the kingdom.Tussel Gómez 2004: 26 The first printing-press was brought to the town in 1577. Here in 1596, the first book in the Basque language was edited, entitled Doctrina Christiana en Romance y Bascuence by Dr. Betolaza.Beascoechea 1999: 104In 1602 Bilbao was made the capital of Biscay, a title previously held by Bermeo.WEB,www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/es/sociedad/visitabilbao/excursiones/bermeo.jsp, Port of Bilbao, Bilbaoport.es, Un dÃa perfecto en Bermeo y Gernika, 17 September 2008,www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/es/sociedad/visitabilbao/excursiones/bermeo.jsp," title="web.archive.org/web/20080923055720www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/es/sociedad/visitabilbao/excursiones/bermeo.jsp,">web.archive.org/web/20080923055720www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/es/sociedad/visitabilbao/excursiones/bermeo.jsp, 23 September 2008, dead, dmy-all, Around 1631, the city was the scenario of a series of revolts against the increased taxation on salt, which had been ordered by the Crown, an event locally known as the ”Machinada of the salt”. The revolt ended with the execution of several of its leaders.JOURNAL, Zabala Uriarte, Aingeru, 17 September 2008, Crónica de siete siglos,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf, Bilbao 700, 40,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20080724095226www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20080724095226www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf, 24 July 2008, 17 August 2018, The city had seen a continuous increase of its wealth, especially after the discovery of extensive iron deposits in the surrounding mountains, and by the end of the century it managed to overcome the economic crises that affected the rest of the kingdom, thanks in part to the increased trading of wool (which now used the port of Bilbao instead of the one in Santander), and to the iron ore and its commerce with England and the Netherlands.Contemporary Bilbao
Napoleonic invasion and Carlist wars
(File:Ataque al Puente de Luchana.jpg|thumb|left|The Battle of Luchana)The French invasion of Spain saw the occupation of several Basque cities, but Bilbao was not among them. The first open uprising against Napoleonic rule took place on 6 August 1808, a month after the Battle of Bailén. French troops sieged and sacked the city, alongside the neighbouring towns of Deusto and Begoña on 16 August. Beginning in February 1810, the city was under the command of Pierre Thouvenot, general of the French army and Baron of the Empire, who had become the head of the Military Government of Vizcaya, which included the three Basque provinces. Thouvenot intended to move forward with the plan of total annexation of the Basque provinces into France,WEB,www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200701/pag36.pdf, Los hospitales militares y civiles de Bilbao durante la Guerra de la Independencia, Gondra, Juan, January 2007, Bilbao City Hall, 15 October 2008, 24 January 2009,www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200701/pag36.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20090124082807www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200701/pag36.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20090124082807www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200701/pag36.pdf, live, but the Peninsular War and ultimately the Battle of Vitoria made those plans impossible.(File:Bilboko irudi historikoa.jpg|thumb|right|Engraving depicting the city in the 18th century)The Basque Country was one of the main sites of battles during the First Carlist War, a civil war between supporters of the Spanish regent Maria Christina, known as liberals, and those of the late king’s brother Carlos of Borbón, known as Carlists. The Carlists were particularly focused on capturing Bilbao, a liberal and economic bastion in northern Spain.Quiroga 2001: 68 The Carlist general Tomás de Zumalacárregui tried to take the city during the siege of Bilbao of 1835, but he was wounded during a battle near Begoña and died some time after in the town of Zegama. The next year, the city resisted a second siege during which the liberal general Baldomero Espartero defeated the Carlists in the Battle of Luchana.{{Harvnb|Sánchez-Beaskoetxea|2006|p=42}} The city was untouched by the Second Carlist War, which took place mostly in Catalonia, but was again an important scenario during the Third Carlist War; in April 1874 the city suffered a third siege which lasted two months.{{Harvnb|Sánchez-Beaskoetxea|2006|p=44}}Despite the warfare, Bilbao prospered during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when it rose as the economic centre of the Basque Country. It was during this time that the railway first arrived to the city and the Bank of Bilbao (which later would go on to become the BBVA) was founded, as well as the Bilbao Stock Exchange. Steelmaking industries flourished with the creation of many new factories, including the Santa Ana de Bolueta and the Altos Hornos de Vizcaya in 1902. The city was modernised with new avenues and walkways, as well as with new modern buildings such as the City Hall building, the Basurto Hospital and the Arriaga Theatre. The population increased dramatically, from 11,000 in 1880 to 80,000 in 1900. Social movements also arose, notably Basque nationalism under Sabino Arana, which in the subsequent decades would grow to become the Basque Nationalist Party.WEB, Montero, Manuel, Crónica de siete siglos, Bilbao 700, 48,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf, 15 October 2008, dead,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20080724095226www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20080724095226www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf, 24 July 2008,Civil war and Francoist dictatorship
(File:Bilboko portuaren bonbardaketa.jpg|thumb|left|Bombing of Bilbao during the Civil War, 5 June 1937)The Spanish Civil War in Bilbao started with a number of small uprisings suppressed by the Republican forces. On 31 August 1936, the city suffered its first bombing, with a series of air bombs dropped by Nationalist airplanes. In September, the Nationalists distributed pamphlets threatening further bombing if the city did not give up, which finally took place on 25 September when German planes, in coordination with Francoist forces, dropped at least a hundred bombs on the city.Quiroga 2001: 84 In May 1937, the Nationalist army besieged the town. The battle lasted until 19 June of that year, when Lieutenant Colonel Putz was ordered to destroy all bridges over the estuary, and the troops of the 5th Brigade took the borough from the mountains Malmasin, Pagasarri, and Arnotegi.Sánchez-Beaskoetxea 2006: 48With the war over, Bilbao returned to its industrial development, accompanied by steady population growth. In the 1940s, the city was rebuilt, starting with the bridges and by 1948, the first commercial flight took off from the local airport.Tussel 2004: 187 Over the next decade, there was a revival of the iron industry, which became a strategic industrial sector in Spain, as a consequence of the economic model promoted by Francoism. The city received migrants from other Spanish regions looking to work in the iron industry. The demand for housing outstripped supply, and workers built slums on the hillsides.Quiroga 2001: 96 It was in this context that the first social movements arose and the strike of the Euskalduna shipyard in 1947 was the first one to take place during the Francoist dictatorship. In this environment of social repression, on 31 July 1959 the separatist organisation ETA was created from Basque nationalist movements. During the 1960s the city was the scenario of several urban projects, with the creation of new neighbourhoods like Otxarkoaga and the motorway to the French border. In June 1968 the University of Bilbao, the first public university, was established. It would later be integrated into the University of the Basque Country.Democracy and urban renewal
File:Abandoibarra3.jpg|thumb|right|Abandoibarra and the Guggenheim Museum from the Iberdrola TowerIberdrola TowerAfter the end of Francoist Spain and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, in a process known in Spain as the transition, Bilbao was able to hold democratic elections again. This time Basque nationalists rose to power.Tussel 2004: 194 With the approval of the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country in 1979, Vitoria-Gasteiz was elected the seat of the government and therefore the de facto capital of the Basque Autonomous Community, although Bilbao was larger and more powerful economically. In the 1980s, several factors such as labor demands and the arrival of cheap labor from abroad led to a devastating industrial crisis.On 26 August 1983 during the celebration of the local festivities known as Aste Nagusia, the estuary overflowed up to five metres in some areas due to the continuous raining, killing two people and causing important destructions in the city’s infrastructure, with a total economic cost that reached 60,000 million pesetas (around €360 million)NEWS,www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/BURGOS/CANTABRIA/PAiS_VASCO/34/muertos/Euskadi/Cantabria/Burgos/balance/provisional/elpepiesp/19830901elpepinac_13/Tes/, 34 muertos en Euskadi, 4 en Cantabria y 1 en Burgos, balance provisional, Ridruejo, Carmelo, 1 September 1983, El PaÃs, 8 December 2009, 11 November 2011,www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/BURGOS/CANTABRIA/PAIS_VASCO/34/muertos/Euskadi/Cantabria/Burgos/balance/provisional/elpepiesp/19830901elpepinac_13/Tes," title="web.archive.org/web/20111111202501www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/BURGOS/CANTABRIA/PAIS_VASCO/34/muertos/Euskadi/Cantabria/Burgos/balance/provisional/elpepiesp/19830901elpepinac_13/Tes,">web.archive.org/web/20111111202501www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/BURGOS/CANTABRIA/PAIS_VASCO/34/muertos/Euskadi/Cantabria/Burgos/balance/provisional/elpepiesp/19830901elpepinac_13/Tes, live, Since the mid-1990s, Bilbao has been in a process of deindustrialization and transition to a service economy, supported by investment in infrastructure and urban renewal, starting with the opening of the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum (the so-called Guggenheim effect), and continuing with the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall, Santiago Calatrava’s Zubizuri, the metro network by Norman Foster, the tram, the Iberdrola Tower and the Zorrozaurre development plan, among others. Many officially supported associations such as Bilbao Metrópoli-30 and Bilbao RÃa 2000 were created to monitor these projects.WEB,www.bm30.es/homeage_es.html, Agentes del proceso de revitalización, BM30, 16 October 2008, 20 July 2011,www.bm30.es/homeage_es.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20110720135704www.bm30.es/homeage_es.html,">web.archive.org/web/20110720135704www.bm30.es/homeage_es.html, dead, WEB,www.bilbaoria2000.org/ria2000/cas/bilbaoRia/bilbaoRia.aspx?primeraVez=0, BILBAO RÃa 2000 ¿Qué es?, Bilbao RÃa 2000, 15 October 2008, 25 July 2011,www.bilbaoria2000.org/ria2000/cas/bilbaoRia/bilbaoRia.aspx?primeraVez=0," title="web.archive.org/web/20110725073505www.bilbaoria2000.org/ria2000/cas/bilbaoRia/bilbaoRia.aspx?primeraVez=0,">web.archive.org/web/20110725073505www.bilbaoria2000.org/ria2000/cas/bilbaoRia/bilbaoRia.aspx?primeraVez=0, dead, {{clear left}}Geography
Location
Bilbao is located near the northern edge of the Iberian Peninsula, about {{convert|16|km|mi|0}} from the Bay of Biscay.Montero 1998: 37. It covers an area of {{convert|40.65|km2|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|17.35|km2}} are urban and the remaining {{convert|23.30|km2}} consist of the surrounding mountains.WEB,www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/territorio_climatologia.pdf, Superficie, población y densidad por distritos. 2007, Bilbao City Council, 2007, 19 July 2008, 24 January 2009,www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/territorio_climatologia.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20090124082029www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/territorio_climatologia.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20090124082029www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/territorio_climatologia.pdf, live, The official average altitude is {{convert|19|m|ft}}, although there are measurements between {{convert|6|m}} and {{convert|32|m}}.Gómez Piñeiro 1979: 35 It is also the core of the comarca of Greater Bilbao. It is surrounded by the municipalities of Derio, Etxebarri, Galdakao, Loiu, Sondika, and Zamudio to the north; Arrigorriaga and Basauri to the west; Alonsotegi to the south; and Barakaldo and Erandio to the east.Bilbao is located on the Basque threshold, the range between the larger Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees.Gómez Piñeiro 1979: 38 The soil is predominantly composed of mesozoic materials (limestone, sandstone, and marl) sedimented over a primitive paleozoic base. The relief of the province is dominated by NW-SE and WNW-ESE oriented folds. The main fold is the anticline of Bilbao which runs from the municipality of Elorrio to Galdames. Inside Bilbao there are two secondary folds, one in the northeast, composed of Mounts Artxanda, Avril, Banderas, Pikota, San Bernabé, and Cabras; and other in the south, composed of Mounts Kobetas, Restaleku, Pagasarri and Arraiz. The highest point in the municipality is Mount Ganeta, of {{convert|689|m}}, followed by Mount Pagasarri, of {{convert|673|m}}, both on the border with Alonsotegi.WEB,www.bilbao.net/castella/ciudad/plano_callejero.pdf, Plano callejero de Bilbao, Bilbao City Council, 7 October 2010, 1 June 2010,www.bilbao.net/castella/ciudad/plano_callejero.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20100601082957www.bilbao.net/castella/ciudad/plano_callejero.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20100601082957www.bilbao.net/castella/ciudad/plano_callejero.pdf, live,Hydrology
File:Edificio Museoalde30.jpg|thumb|The estuary of Bilbaoestuary of BilbaoThe main river system of Bilbao is also the hydrological artery of Biscay. The rivers Nervión and Ibaizabal converge in Basauri and form an estuary named variously “estuary of Bilbao”, “of the Nervión”, “of the Ibaizabal”, or “of the Nervión-Ibaizabal”.WEB,ietb.bizkaia.net/index.asp?idMenu=1&idMenuSiguiente=-1&idioma=CA, RÃos de Bizkaia, Orive, Emma, Rallo, Ana, amp, Diputación Foral de Bizkaia: Instituto de Estudios Territoriales de Bizkaia, October 2002, 24 July 2008, dead,ietb.bizkaia.net/index.asp?idMenu=1&idMenuSiguiente=-1&idioma=CA," title="web.archive.org/web/20090123110944ietb.bizkaia.net/index.asp?idMenu=1&idMenuSiguiente=-1&idioma=CA,">web.archive.org/web/20090123110944ietb.bizkaia.net/index.asp?idMenu=1&idMenuSiguiente=-1&idioma=CA, 23 January 2009, The estuary runs for {{convert|15|km}} and with a low flow (with an average of {{convert|25|m3|0|abbr=on}} per second).WEB,www.euskonews.com/0017zbk/gaia1701es.html, Bioindicadores de recuperación en la RÃa de Bilbao, Saiz Salinas, José I., euskonews.com, 25 July 2008,www.euskonews.com/0017zbk/gaia1701es.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20080619202916www.euskonews.com/0017zbk/gaia1701es.html,">web.archive.org/web/20080619202916www.euskonews.com/0017zbk/gaia1701es.html, 19 June 2008, dead, Its main tributary is the river Cadagua, which rises in the Mena valley and has a basin of {{convert|642|km2}}, mostly lying in the neighboring province of Burgos.Gómez Piñeiro 1979: 77 This river is also the natural border between Bilbao and Barakaldo.The river has frequently suffered from human intervention, as seen in the dredging of its bottom, the building of docks on both banks and especially in the Deusto canal, an artificial waterway dug between 1950 and 1968 in the district of Deusto as a lateral canal, with the aim of facilitating navigation, sparing ships from the natural curves of the estuary.WEB,www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200603/pag35.pdf, La rÃa y el canal de Deustu, Periódico Bilbao, March 2006, 25 July 2008, Uriarte, Iñaki, 24 January 2009,www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200603/pag35.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20090124082032www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200603/pag35.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20090124082032www.bilbao.net/castella/residentes/vivebilbao/publicaciones/periodicobilbao/200603/pag35.pdf, live, The project was stopped with {{convert|400|m}} left to complete, and it was decided to leave it as a dock.Santos Sabrás 1998: 60 However, in 2007, a plan was approved to continue the canal and form the island of Zorrozaurre.WEB,www.deia.com/es/digital/bizkaia/2007/10/05/406282.php, Las obras de urbanización de Zorrozaurre, en Bilbao, que tendrán un coste de 291 millones de euros, comenzarán en 2010, Deia (newspaper), Deia, 31 October 2007, 5 October 2007,www.deia.com/es/digital/bizkaia/2007/10/05/406282.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20080222005436www.deia.com/es/digital/bizkaia/2007/10/05/406282.php,">web.archive.org/web/20080222005436www.deia.com/es/digital/bizkaia/2007/10/05/406282.php, 22 February 2008, This human intervention has also brought negative results in the quality of the water, after decades of toxic waste dumping causing a situation of anoxia (lack of oxygen), which almost eliminated the entire fauna and flora. However, in recent years this situation is being reversed, thanks to a dumping ban and natural regeneration.WEB,www.bajoelagua.com/articulos/vida-marina/2162.htm, Vuelve la vida a la RÃa de Bilbao, bajoelagua.com, 7 February 2006, 25 July 2008,www.bajoelagua.com/articulos/vida-marina/2162.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20080908075600www.bajoelagua.com/articulos/vida-marina/2162.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20080908075600www.bajoelagua.com/articulos/vida-marina/2162.htm, 8 September 2008, dead, now it is possible to observe algae, tonguefishes, crabs, and seabirds,NEWS,www.elpais.com/articulo/pais/vasco/regeneracion/natural/ria/Bilbao/evita/acometer/limpieza/elpepuesppvs/20060122elpvas_4/Tes, La regeneración natural de la rÃa de Bilbao evita acometer su limpieza, El PaÃs, 22 January 2006, 25 July 2008, 11 November 2011,www.elpais.com/articulo/pais/vasco/regeneracion/natural/ria/Bilbao/evita/acometer/limpieza/elpepuesppvs/20060122elpvas_4/Tes," title="web.archive.org/web/20111111202512www.elpais.com/articulo/pais/vasco/regeneracion/natural/ria/Bilbao/evita/acometer/limpieza/elpepuesppvs/20060122elpvas_4/Tes,">web.archive.org/web/20111111202512www.elpais.com/articulo/pais/vasco/regeneracion/natural/ria/Bilbao/evita/acometer/limpieza/elpepuesppvs/20060122elpvas_4/Tes, live, as well as occasional bathers in the summer months.WEB,www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100702/vizcaya/recupera-banistas-20100702.html, La rÃa recupera los bañistas, El Correo, 2 July 2010, 7 October 2010,www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100702/vizcaya/recupera-banistas-20100702.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20101010094653www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100702/vizcaya/recupera-banistas-20100702.html,">web.archive.org/web/20101010094653www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100702/vizcaya/recupera-banistas-20100702.html, 10 October 2010, live, The estuary is also a natural border for several neighbourhoods and districts within the borough. Entering the municipality from the west it separates the districts of Begoña and Ibaiondo, then Abando and Uribarri and lastly Deusto and Basurto-Zorroza.Climate
(File:Deustuko San Pedro-Erribera, Bilbo, Bizkaia, Spain - panoramio (2).jpg|thumb|250px|left|Palm trees during a sunny day in Bilbao)Its proximity to the Bay of Biscay gives Bilbao an oceanic climate (Cfb), with precipitation occurring throughout the year and without a well-defined dry summer. Precipitation is abundant, and given the latitude and atmospheric dynamics, rainy days represent 45% and cloudy days 40% of the annual total.Gómez Piñeiro 1979: 65 The rainiest season is between October and April, November being the wettest. Snow is not frequent in Bilbao, although it is possible to see snow on the top of the surrounding mountains. Sleet is more frequent, about 10 days per year, mainly in the winter months.Gómez Piñeiro 1979: 70 Bilbao is nearest to the subtropical boundary of all the Atlantic coastal cities in the country with an August daily mean of {{convert|20.9|C|F}}.WEB,www.aemet.es/en/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=1082&k=pva, Standard climate values for Bilbao, Aemet.es, 23 July 2015, 23 July 2015,www.aemet.es/en/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=1082&k=pva," title="web.archive.org/web/20150723075414www.aemet.es/en/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=1082&k=pva,">web.archive.org/web/20150723075414www.aemet.es/en/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=1082&k=pva, live, There is also a drying trend in summer with only around {{convert|50|mm|in}} of rainfall in July – but not dry enough to be considered Mediterranean.The proximity of the ocean also means that the two best defined seasons (summer and winter) remain mild, with low intensity thermal oscillations. Average maximum temperatures vary between {{convert|25|and|26|°C|1|abbr=on}} in the summer months, while the average minimum in winter is between {{convert|6|and|7|°C|1|abbr=on}}.Extreme record observations in Bilbao are {{convert|42.0|°C|1|abbr=on}} maximum (on 26 July 1947) and {{convert|-8.6|°C|1|abbr=on}} minimum (on 3 February 1963). The maximum precipitation in a day was {{convert|225.6|mm|0|abbr=on}} on 26 August 1983 when severe flooding was caused by the Nervión river.WEB,www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/castellano/cbureau/clima.htm, City Council climate information, Bilbao City Council, 7 October 2010, 17 December 2010,www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/castellano/cbureau/clima.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20101217165523www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/castellano/cbureau/clima.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20101217165523www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/castellano/cbureau/clima.htm, live, {{Weather box|location = Bilbao airport: 1981–2010 normals, 1947-2022 extremes|metric first = yes|single line = yes|Jan record high C= 24.9|Feb record high C= 26.8|Mar record high C= 29.8|Apr record high C= 33.1|May record high C= 36.0|Jun record high C= 41.2|Jul record high C= 42.0|Aug record high C= 41.9|Sep record high C= 41.7|Oct record high C= 33.4|Nov record high C= 27.6|Dec record high C= 24.7|year record high C= 42.0 |Jan high C = 13.4|Feb high C = 14.3|Mar high C = 16.5|Apr high C = 17.6|May high C = 20.8|Jun high C = 23.4|Jul high C = 25.4|Aug high C = 26.0|Sep high C = 24.6|Oct high C = 21.4|Nov high C = 16.6|Dec high C = 13.9|year high C = 19.5|Jan mean C = 9.3|Feb mean C = 9.7|Mar mean C = 11.5|Apr mean C = 12.6|May mean C = 15.7|Jun mean C = 18.4|Jul mean C = 20.4|Aug mean C = 20.9|Sep mean C = 19.2|Oct mean C = 16.4|Nov mean C = 12.4|Dec mean C = 9.9|year mean C = 14.7|Jan low C = 5.1|Feb low C = 5.1|Mar low C = 6.4|Apr low C = 7.6|May low C = 10.6|Jun low C = 13.4|Jul low C = 15.4|Aug low C = 15.7|Sep low C = 13.8|Oct low C = 11.4|Nov low C = 8.2|Dec low C = 5.9|year low C = 9.9|Jan record low C= -7.6|Feb record low C= -8.6|Mar record low C= -5.0|Apr record low C= -1.2|May record low C= 0.4|Jun record low C= 3.6|Jul record low C= 6.6|Aug record low C= 6.8|Sep record low C= 3.8|Oct record low C= 0.6|Nov record low C= -6.2 |Dec record low C= -7.4|year record low C= -8.6|precipitation colour = green|Jan precipitation mm = 120|Feb precipitation mm = 86|Mar precipitation mm = 90|Apr precipitation mm = 107|May precipitation mm = 78|Jun precipitation mm = 60|Jul precipitation mm = 50|Aug precipitation mm = 76|Sep precipitation mm = 73|Oct precipitation mm = 111|Nov precipitation mm = 147|Dec precipitation mm = 122|year precipitation mm = 1134|Jan precipitation days = 13|Feb precipitation days = 11|Mar precipitation days = 11|Apr precipitation days = 13|May precipitation days = 11|Jun precipitation days = 7|Jul precipitation days = 7|Aug precipitation days = 8|Sep precipitation days = 8|Oct precipitation days = 11|Nov precipitation days = 13|Dec precipitation days = 12|year precipitation days = 124 | Jan snow days = 0.7| Feb snow days = 0.7| Mar snow days = 0.3| Apr snow days = 0| May snow days = 0| Jun snow days = 0| Jul snow days = 0| Aug snow days = 0| Sep snow days = 0| Oct snow days = 0| Nov snow days = 0.1| Dec snow days = 0.3| Jan humidity = 72 | Feb humidity = 69 | Mar humidity = 68 | Apr humidity = 69 | May humidity = 69 | Jun humidity = 70 | Jul humidity = 71 | Aug humidity = 72 | Sep humidity = 71 | Oct humidity = 71 | Nov humidity = 73 | Dec humidity = 72|Jan sun = 85|Feb sun = 97|Mar sun = 132|Apr sun = 138|May sun = 169|Jun sun = 180|Jul sun = 186|Aug sun = 179|Sep sun = 160|Oct sun = 126|Nov sun = 88|Dec sun = 78|year sun = 1610Demographics
(File:DemografÃa Bilbao (España).PNG|thumb|Demographic evolution, 1900–2005, according to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics)According to the Basque Statistics Office, the population of Bilbao is 342,397 people as of 2017,WEB,www.eustat.eus/municipal/datos_estadisticos/bilbao_c.html, Datos EstadÃsticos de Bilbao, 2017, Web Eustat, Basque Statistics Office, 18 August 2018, 26 August 2018,www.eustat.eus/municipal/datos_estadisticos/bilbao_c.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20180826183010www.eustat.eus/municipal/datos_estadisticos/bilbao_c.html,">web.archive.org/web/20180826183010www.eustat.eus/municipal/datos_estadisticos/bilbao_c.html, live, distributed on a land area of {{convert|40.59|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, making Bilbao the largest city by population of the Basque Autonomous Community and of the Basque Country as a whole. Bilbao makes the main component of the Bilbao metropolitan area, with a population of 1,037,847 people.The first credible data on the population of Bilbao are post-1550.Gómez Piñeiro 1979: 96 It is known that in 1530 Biscay had approximately 65,000 inhabitants, a number that could have been reduced by plagues that struck the city in 1517, 1530, 1564–68, and 1597–1601, the last being especially devastating. This trend for periodic reverses in population growth was maintained until the nineteenth century. Since then, Bilbao has experienced an exponential growth in population thanks to industrialisation. After a peak of 433,115 inhabitants in 1982, the municipalities of the Txorierri valley were removed from Bilbao, with the corresponding loss of their population.WEB,www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/demografia.pdf, Evolución de la Población de Bilbao 1900 – 2007, Bilbao City Council, 2007, 17 September 2008, 1 October 2009,www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/demografia.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20091001170943www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/demografia.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20091001170943www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/demografia.pdf, live, Spanish is the most spoken language in the city, followed by the vernacular Basque language. According to the city government of Bilbao, at least 51% of the population can speak “some Basque”,WEB,bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=3000054794&language=es&pageid=3000054794&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FPage%2FBIO_contenidoFinal, La situación del euskera en Bilbao, Bilbao City Hall, 18 August 2018, 9 July 2021,bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=3000054794&language=es&pageid=3000054794&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FPage%2FBIO_contenidoFinal," title="web.archive.org/web/20210709184803bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=3000054794&language=es&pageid=3000054794&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FPage%2FBIO_contenidoFinal,">web.archive.org/web/20210709184803bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=3000054794&language=es&pageid=3000054794&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FPage%2FBIO_contenidoFinal, live, while 29% consider themselves to be fluent.Migration {| class“wikitable floatright”
Government
(File:Bilbao_-_Diputacion_Foral_de_Vizcaya_2.jpg|thumb|right|Building of the provincial government of Biscay)The city of Bilbao is the capital of the province of Biscay and as such it is home of the administrative entities that pertain to the provincial administration, both from the autonomous and central governments. Settled in the city are the provincial delegations of the different departments of the Basque autonomous government, each coordinated by a representative. In addition, the Government of Spain has the official Government Subdelegation in the city.Municipal government
(File:Bilbao_-_Ayuntamiento_24.jpg|thumb|right|The Bilbao City Hall)Bilbao is a municipality and has a mayor-council government system. The municipal government is elected for four-year terms by universal suffrage and it is divided into two branches, executive and legislative.WEB,www.bilbao.net/nuevobilbao/jsp/bilbao/pwepl004.jsp?idioma=i&color=rojo&subtema=10&puntomenu=plc&tema=ep1&padre=EPM, Nature, Attributions and Organisation, Ayuntamiento de Bilbao, 10 October 2010, {{dead link|date=April 2011}} The legislative side consists of a municipal plenum composed of 29 councillors. These councillors represent the different political parties elected in the local elections, for which can vote all residents registered in the city who are citizens of Spain or of any member state of the European Union. The executive branch is composed of the mayor and a board of governors. The number of members of the board cannot be more than a third the number of members of the legislative plenum and the mayor can appoint them at his or her own discretion.WEB,www.bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=3000016190&language=es&pageid=3000016190&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FPage%2FBIO_contenidoFinal, La Junta del Gobierno de la Villa de Bilbao: Naturaleza, Atribuciones y Organización, Bilbao City Hall, Bilbao Municipal Government, 15 October 2008, 15 May 2014,www.bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=3000016190&language=es&pageid=3000016190&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FPage%2FBIO_contenidoFinal," title="web.archive.org/web/20140515184344www.bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=3000016190&language=es&pageid=3000016190&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FPage%2FBIO_contenidoFinal,">web.archive.org/web/20140515184344www.bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=3000016190&language=es&pageid=3000016190&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FPage%2FBIO_contenidoFinal, live, Since 1892 the seat of the government has been the Bilbao City Hall, located on the centric Ernesto Erkoreka Plaza and by the Estuary of Bilbao. It is the fourth city hall building to have been used since the year 1300. The first three city halls were located by the San Antón Church but were destroyed due to floodings. The current building was designed by the Spanish architect JoaquÃn Rucoba in Baroque style and was built in the former site of the San AgustÃn Monastery, which was destroyed during the First Carlist War.WEB,www.bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=BIO_Generico_FA&cid=3000787796&language=en&pageid=3000018206&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FBIO_Generico_FA%2FBIO_Generico,archive.today/20150227182748/https://www.bilbao.net/cs/Satellite?c=BIO_Generico_FA&cid=3000787796&language=en&pageid=3000018206&pagename=Bilbaonet/BIO_Generico_FA/BIO_Generico, dead, 27 February 2015, Las ruinas de San AgustÃn, Bilbao City Hall, Bilbao Municipal Government, 27 November 2008, Since the Spanish transition to democracy, the city has been governed by the Basque Nationalist Party, often with support of the Socialist Party of the Basque Country. Iñaki Azkuna served as mayor from 1999 until his passing in 2014, when he was replaced by Ibon Areso. Azkuna was awarded the World Mayor prize in 2012.WEB,www.worldmayor.com/contest_2012/world-mayor-12-results.html, Iñaki Azkuna, Mayor of Bilbao, Spain awarded the 2012 World Mayor Prize, Vom Hove, Tann, 8 January 2013, World Mayor, 29 August 2018, 11 January 2013,www.worldmayor.com/contest_2012/world-mayor-12-results.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130111083758www.worldmayor.com/contest_2012/world-mayor-12-results.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130111083758www.worldmayor.com/contest_2012/world-mayor-12-results.html, live, Since the 2019 municipal election, the councillors of the plenum have the following political distribution: 14 seats for the Basque Nationalist Party, 5 seats for the Socialist Party of the Basque Country, 4 seats for the EH Bildu coalition, 3 seats for Udalberri and 3 seats for the People’s Party. The mayor is Juan Mari Aburto, chosen with 19 votes from the Basque Nationalist Party and the Socialist party.In 2008 and 2010, Bilbao won the Municipal Transparency Prize, awarded by the Spanish division of Transparency International. In 2009 it came second, after Sant Cugat del Vallés.WEB,www.bilbao.net/nuevobilbao/jsp/bilbao/ciudadCont.jsp?idioma=i&color=rojo&padre=%7CHA&tema=RP0&subtema=10&padresub=RP1, Reconocimientos y premios 2000–2010, Ayuntamiento de Bilbao, 10 October 2010, {{dead link|date=April 2011}}Districts
The municipality is divided into eight districts (Basque: barrutia) which are further subdivided into 34 neighbourhoods (Basque: auzoa). Most of the districts and neighbourhoods were former independent municipalities and elizates that were eventually annexed into the city. Originally, the city of Bilbao comprised the Old Town and some houses on the left side of the estuary, today known as Bilbao la Vieja. The first expansion included the annexation of the elizate of Begoña and the river side of Uribarri. In the 19th century the merge of Abando into the city brought along small neighbourhoods of farm houses and hamlets that were clustered close to the former municipality’s town hall and the Mount Cobetas, such as Errekalde and Basurto.JOURNAL, González, Santiago, Una expansión organizada,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_4.pdf,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_4.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20080724095306www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_4.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20080724095306www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_4.pdf, dead, 24 July 2008, Bilbao 700, 120, 16 October 2008, Starting in the 20th century it started annexing the elizates on the right bank of the river, including Begoña and Deusto. In the decade of 1960 as an effort to stop the increasing problem of slums, new neighbourhoods were created from the ground up, among them Otxarkoaga and Txurdinaga, which were joined together as a new district, Otxarkoaga-Txurdinaga in the decade of 1990.WEB,www.bilbao.net/castella/accion_social/publicaciones/estudio_otxarkoaga.pdf, Estudio sobre el barrio de Otxarkoaga, Bilbao City Hall, Municipal Government of Bilbao, 16 October 2008, 24 January 2009,www.bilbao.net/castella/accion_social/publicaciones/estudio_otxarkoaga.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20090124082742www.bilbao.net/castella/accion_social/publicaciones/estudio_otxarkoaga.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20090124082742www.bilbao.net/castella/accion_social/publicaciones/estudio_otxarkoaga.pdf, live, {| class=“wikitable”Economy
File:Torre Iberdrola 1 - Bilbao, Spain (2).jpg|thumb|right|upright|Headquarters of IberdrolaIberdrolaThe Bilbao metropolitan area comprises about 47% of the total population of the Basque autonomous community, out of which a 15% is registered in the municipality of Bilbao. The comarca of Greater Bilbao, in which the city occupies a central position, has a GDP per capita of €30,860,WEB,www.eustat.eus/elementos/ele0011100/Producto_interior_bruto_PIB_per_capita_de_la_CA_de_Euskadi_por_ambitos_territoriales_Precios_corrientes_euros/tbl0011123_c.html, Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of the Basque Autonomous Community by territorial entities., 24 May 2018, Eustat, EUSTAT Basque Institute of Statistics, 7 September 2018, 9 September 2018,www.eustat.eus/elementos/ele0011100/Producto_interior_bruto_PIB_per_capita_de_la_CA_de_Euskadi_por_ambitos_territoriales_Precios_corrientes_euros/tbl0011123_c.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20180909000449www.eustat.eus/elementos/ele0011100/Producto_interior_bruto_PIB_per_capita_de_la_CA_de_Euskadi_por_ambitos_territoriales_Precios_corrientes_euros/tbl0011123_c.html,">web.archive.org/web/20180909000449www.eustat.eus/elementos/ele0011100/Producto_interior_bruto_PIB_per_capita_de_la_CA_de_Euskadi_por_ambitos_territoriales_Precios_corrientes_euros/tbl0011123_c.html, live, higher than the Spanish and European Union averages. The Bilbao metropolitan area has a nominal GDP amounting to ,9 billion. Bilbao has been the economic centre of the Basque autonomous community since the original establishment of the Consulate of the Sea in the city in the 16th century, mostly thanks to the commerce in Castilian products on the town’s port. It was in the 19th century when the city experimented its biggest economic development, mainly based on the exploitation of the nearby iron mines and siderurgy, both of which promoted maritime traffic and port activity and eventually the development of a very important shipbuilding industrywww.bilbao.net/nuevobilbao/jsp/bilbao/pwegb010.jsp?idioma=C&color=rojo&padre=|HT&tema=FBS&subtema=10&padresub=*M4&textarea=*M4{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}Banking
(File:Bilbao - BBVA (ex Banco de Comercio) 1.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Headquarters of BBVA)Banking became an important sector with the establishment of the Bank of Bilbao (Spanish: Banco de Bilbao) in 1857 and the Bank of Biscay (Spanish: Banco de Vizcaya) in 1901. These two entities merged in 1988 creating the BBV, which finally merged with Argentaria bank in 1999, creating the current multinational corporation, the BBVA. The savings banks that were established locally, the Municipal Savings Bank of Bilbao (Spanish: Caja de Ahorros Municipal de Bilbao) in 1907 and the Provincial Savings Bank of Biscay (Spanish: Caja de Ahorros Provincial de Vizcaya) in 1921, would merge in 1990 to form the Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa (BBK),WEB,portal.bbk.es/internet/banners/centenario/libro/index.html, bbk 100 años, Portal.bbk.es, 10 April 2011, dead,web.archive.org/web/20110720140314/https://portal.bbk.es/internet/banners/centenario/libro/index.html, 20 July 2011, which would merge again in 2012 with other Basque financial entities (Kutxa and Caja Vital Kutxa) to form Kutxabank. There is also the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Bilbao and the Stock Exchange Market of Bilbao, founded in 1890.WEB,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf, Bilbao 700 – CapÃtulo VI, 10 April 2011, dead,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20110715064419www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20110715064419www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf, 15 July 2011,Port
(File:Serantes Panoramica.jpg|thumb|Panoramic view of the outer port, as seen from Mount Serantes)The historical port was located in what is today an area called the Arenal, a few steps from the old city, until the late 19th century. In 1902, an exterior port was built at the mouth of the estuary, in the coastal municipality of Santurtzi. Further extensions to the outer port, which became called “the super-port”, led to the final move of the city portuary facilities in the 1970s, finally replacing the docks in the centre of the city,WEB,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf, El Puerto: Desde San Antón al Abra, Corres Abásolo, José Ãngel, 16 October 2008, Bilbao 700, 212, dead,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20080724095122www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20080724095122www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf, 24 July 2008, with the exception of those located in the neighbourhood of Zorrotza, still active.WEB,www.deia.com/es/impresa/2006/02/08/bizkaia/herrialdeak/216736.php, El Puerto abandonó ayer el Canal de Deusto tras 38 años de actividad comercial, Deia, 31 October 2007, 8 February 2006, dead,www.deia.com/es/impresa/2006/02/08/bizkaia/herrialdeak/216736.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20090124075722www.deia.com/es/impresa/2006/02/08/bizkaia/herrialdeak/216736.php,">web.archive.org/web/20090124075722www.deia.com/es/impresa/2006/02/08/bizkaia/herrialdeak/216736.php, 24 January 2009, The port of Bilbao is a first-class commercial port and is among the top five of Spain.WEB,www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/es/faqs.jsp, Preguntas frecuentes, Puerto de Bilbao, 16 October 2008,www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/es/faqs.jsp," title="web.archive.org/web/20081020005855www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/es/faqs.jsp,">web.archive.org/web/20081020005855www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/es/faqs.jsp, 20 October 2008, dead, dmy-all, Over 200 regular maritime services link Bilbao with 500 ports worldwide. At the close of 2009 cargo movements amounted to 31.6 million tonnes, Russia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries being the main markets.WEB,www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/en/port/statistics/index.jsp, Port of Bilbao throughput stood at 31.6 million tonnes in 2009, Puerto de Bilbao, 10 October 2010, dead,www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/en/port/statistics/index.jsp," title="web.archive.org/web/20100508232903www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/en/port/statistics/index.jsp,">web.archive.org/web/20100508232903www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/en/port/statistics/index.jsp, 8 May 2010, In the first semester of 2008, it received over 67,000 passengers and 2,770 ships.WEB,www.bilbaoport.es/aPBWeb/es/puerto/estadisticas/acumulado.asp, EstadÃsticas generales, Puerto de Bilbao, 16 October 2008, dead,www.bilbaoport.es/aPBWeb/es/puerto/estadisticas/acumulado.asp," title="web.archive.org/web/20090123151844www.bilbaoport.es/aPBWeb/es/puerto/estadisticas/acumulado.asp,">web.archive.org/web/20090123151844www.bilbaoport.es/aPBWeb/es/puerto/estadisticas/acumulado.asp, 23 January 2009, This activity contributed €419 million to the Basque GDP and maintains almost 10,000 jobs.WEB,www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/en/port/economical/index.jsp, Economical impact, Puerto de Bilbao, 16 October 2008, dead,www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/en/port/economical/index.jsp," title="web.archive.org/web/20090616084910www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/en/port/economical/index.jsp,">web.archive.org/web/20090616084910www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/en/port/economical/index.jsp, 16 June 2009,Mining and ironworks
Iron is the main and most abundant raw material found in Biscay, and its extraction has been legally regulated since 1526. Mining was the main primary activity in Bilbao and the minerals, of great quality, were exported to all over Europe.WEB,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf, Bessemer cambió la historia, Diez Alday, José Antonio, Bilbao 700, 16 October 2008, dead,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20080724095122www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20080724095122www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_6.pdf, 24 July 2008, It was not until the second half of the nineteenth century that an ironworks industry was developed, benefiting from the resources and the city’s good communication links. In the 20th century, both Spanish and European capitals imported around 90% of the iron from Biscay. Although World War I made Bilbao one of the main ironworks powers, a subsequent crisis prompted a decline in the activity.Tourism
(File:Bilbao - Ria.jpg|thumb|Guggenheim Museum Bilbao)The first notion of Bilbao as a tourist destination came with the inauguration of the railway between Bilbao and the coastal neighbourhood of Las Arenas, in the municipality of Getxo in 1872. The connection made Bilbao a minor beach destination.Montero, Manuel (2005). p. 97.The real tourist surge though would come much later with the inauguration of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in 1997. Thereafter tourist arrivals registered a continued upward trend, reaching over 932,000 visitors in 2018.WEB,www.eldiario.es/norte/euskadi/Bilbao-recibe-turistas-visitantes-consecutivo_0_860564469.html, Bilbao recibe 932.771 turistas en 2018 y bate el récord de visitantes por quinto año consecutivo, Europa Press, eldiario.es, 24 January 2019, es, 2019-05-24, 24 May 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190524091928/https://www.eldiario.es/norte/euskadi/Bilbao-recibe-turistas-visitantes-consecutivo_0_860564469.html, live, The trend was exponential considering that in 1995, Bilbao only counted 25,000 tourists.WEB,www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20101001/vizcaya/bilbao-solo-ciudad-paso-20101001.html, Bilbao ya no es sólo una ciudad de paso, 18 October 2010, 1 October 2010, El Correo,www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20101001/vizcaya/bilbao-solo-ciudad-paso-20101001.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20101007122040www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20101001/vizcaya/bilbao-solo-ciudad-paso-20101001.html,">web.archive.org/web/20101007122040www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20101001/vizcaya/bilbao-solo-ciudad-paso-20101001.html, 7 October 2010, live, Bilbao also hosts 31% of the total Basque Country visitors, being the top destination of this autonomous community, outranking San Sebastián. The majority of tourists are domestic visitors, coming from Madrid and Catalonia. International travellers are predominantly French, crossing the border just to the east. The others arrive from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. Tourism generates about €300 million yearly for the Biscayan GDP. Bilbao also draws business tourism, having been equipped with facilities like the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall, and the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, in nearby Barakaldo.WEB,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_7.pdf, En posición privilegiada, Etxebarria, Elvira, Bilbao 700, 236, 16 October 2008, dead,www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_7.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20080724095050www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_7.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20080724095050www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_7.pdf, 24 July 2008,Stock exchange
Plans to create a stock exchange market in Bilbao began in the early 19th century, even though it would not be realized until 21 July 1890. Bilbao’s institution is one of the country’s four regional stock exchanges, joining Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia as Spain’s commercial centres. It is owned by Bolsas y Mercados Españoles.Cityscape
{{clear}}{{wide image|Bilbao cityview from Monte Artxanda (España 2019) (33853014808).jpg|800px|A panoramic view of Bilbao taken from Mount Artxanda}}{{clear}}Urban planning
(File:Casco viejo.jpg|thumb|The Old Town)(File:Bilbao-07.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|The Gothic St. James Cathedral)In its beginnings, Bilbao only had three streets (Somera, Artecalle, and TenderÃa) surrounded by walls located where Ronda street now stands. Inside this enclosure, there was a small hermitage dedicated to the Apostle Saint James (the current St. James’ Cathedral), which pilgrims visited on their way to Santiago de Compostela. In the fifteenth century, four more streets were built, forming the original Zazpikaleak or “Seven Streets”.Tusell 2004: 19 In 1571, after several floods and a major fire in 1569, the walls were demolished in order to allow the expansion of the town.WEB,www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/atlas_vasconia/biz/es/00530106es.pdf, euskomedia.org, El espacio público de la villa de Bilbao, Arizaga Balumburu, Beatriz, MartÃnez MartÃnez, Sergio, amp, 17 September 2008, 25 July 2011,www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/atlas_vasconia/biz/es/00530106es.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20110725134335www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/atlas_vasconia/biz/es/00530106es.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20110725134335www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/atlas_vasconia/biz/es/00530106es.pdf, dead, In 1861, engineer Amado Lázaro projected an ensanche inside the then-municipality of Abando with wide avenues and regular buildings, that included the hygienists ideas of the time. The project was mostly based on Barcelona’s Eixample, designed by Ildefons Cerdà .WEB,www.euskomedia.org/aunamendi/1116/122862, Bilbao (Urbanismo, siglos XIX y XX), euskomedia.org, 8 October 2010, 21 October 2012,www.euskomedia.org/aunamendi/1116/122862," title="web.archive.org/web/20121021100706www.euskomedia.org/aunamendi/1116/122862,">web.archive.org/web/20121021100706www.euskomedia.org/aunamendi/1116/122862, live, However, the project was dropped by the Bilbao City Council after considering it “utopian and excessive” because of its high cost, though of great quality. Furthermore, Lázaro had calculated the demographic growth of the town was based on the previous three centuries, a provision that eventually would not conform to reality.Montero 2000: 45The next large urban change in Bilbao would come in 1876, when the capital annexed (in several stages) the neighbouring municipality of Abando. The new ensanche project was planned by a team made of architect Severino de Achúcarro and engineers Pablo de Alzola (elected Mayor that same year), and Ernesto de Hoffmeyer. Unlike Lázaro’s, this project was significantly smaller, compassing {{convert|1.58|km2|abbr=on}} against the original {{convert|2.54|km2|abbr=on}}. It also featured a not so strict grid pattern, a park to separate the industrial and residential areas and the Gran VÃa de Don Diego López de Haro, the main thoroughfare, where many relevant buildings were located, such as the Biscay provincial government hall or the BBVA Tower. By the end of the 1890s, this widening was half completed and already filled, so a new extension was planned by Federico Ugalde.By 1925, the municipalities of Deusto and Begoña, as well as part of Erandio were annexed, and in 1940, the remaining part of Erandio became part of Bilbao. The last annexation took place in 1966, with the municipalities of Loiu, Sondika, Derio, and Zamudio. This made Bilbao larger than ever, with {{convert|107|km2|abbr=on}}. However, all these municipalities, with the exception of Deusto and Begoña regained their independence on 1 January 1983.WEB,www.euskadi.net/cgi-bin_k54/ver_c?CMD=VERDOC&BASE=B03J&DOCN=000030346&CONF=/config/k54/bopv_c.cnf, BOE del PaÃs Vasco, Basque Government, 17 April 2014, dead,www.euskadi.net/cgi-bin_k54/ver_c?CMD=VERDOC&BASE=B03J&DOCN=000030346&CONF=%2Fconfig%2Fk54%2Fbopv_c.cnf," title="web.archive.org/web/20131002082844www.euskadi.net/cgi-bin_k54/ver_c?CMD=VERDOC&BASE=B03J&DOCN=000030346&CONF=%2Fconfig%2Fk54%2Fbopv_c.cnf,">web.archive.org/web/20131002082844www.euskadi.net/cgi-bin_k54/ver_c?CMD=VERDOC&BASE=B03J&DOCN=000030346&CONF=%2Fconfig%2Fk54%2Fbopv_c.cnf, 2 October 2013, On 18 May 2010, the government of Singapore awarded Bilbao the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, at the World Cities Summit 2010.WEB,www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg/inaugural.htm, Bilbao City Hall tops 78 nominations to clinch the inaugural Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, 9 December 2010,www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg/inaugural.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20100724160440www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg/inaugural.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20100724160440www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg/inaugural.htm, 24 July 2010, dead, dmy-all, It is considered the Pritzker of urbanism.WEB,www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100519/vizcaya/medalla-certificado-euros-premio-20100519.html, Medalla de oro, certificado y 176.000 euros de premio, El Correo, 19 May 2010, 9 December 2010, 23 May 2010,www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100519/vizcaya/medalla-certificado-euros-premio-20100519.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20100523202554www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100519/vizcaya/medalla-certificado-euros-premio-20100519.html,">web.archive.org/web/20100523202554www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100519/vizcaya/medalla-certificado-euros-premio-20100519.html, live,Architecture
(File:Bilbao_-_Calle_Ercilla_esquina_calle_Col%C3%B3n_de_Larre%C3%A1tegui_1.jpg|thumb|Typical late-19th-century architecture of Bilbao)File:Bilbao - Zubizuri 07.jpg|thumb|left|Isozaki AteaIsozaki AteaBilbao’s buildings display a variety of architectural styles, ranging from gothic, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Neo-Gothic, and contemporary architecture. The Old Town features many of the oldest buildings in the city, as the St. James’ Cathedral or the Church of San Antón, included in the borough’s coat of arms. Most of the Old Town is a pedestrian zone during the day. Nearby is one of the most important religious temples of Biscay, the Basilica of Begoña, dedicated to the patron saint of the province, Our Lady of Begoña.Seventeen bridges span the banks of the estuary inside the town’s boundaries. Among the most interesting ones are the Zubizuri (Basque for “white bridge“), a pedestrian footbridge designed by Santiago Calatrava opened in 1997, and the Princes of Spain Bridge, also known as “La Salve”, a suspension bridge opened in 1972 and redesigned by French conceptual artist Daniel Buren in 2007.WEB,www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/secciones/programacion_artistica/nombre_exposicion_version_imprimible.php?idioma=en&id_exposicion=70, Red Arches, Guggenheim Bilbao, 20 October 2006, 10 November 2010, dead,www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/secciones/programacion_artistica/nombre_exposicion_version_imprimible.php?idioma=en&id_exposicion=70," title="web.archive.org/web/20110718025729www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/secciones/programacion_artistica/nombre_exposicion_version_imprimible.php?idioma=en&id_exposicion=70,">web.archive.org/web/20110718025729www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/secciones/programacion_artistica/nombre_exposicion_version_imprimible.php?idioma=en&id_exposicion=70, 18 July 2011, The Deusto Bridge is a bascule bridge opened in 1936 and modelled after the Michigan Avenue Bridge, in Chicago.NEWS,www2.deia.com/es/impresa/2008/04/23/bizkaia/herrialdeak/461574.php, El puente de Deusto afronta su primera reforma integral tras 70 años de servicio, Deia, 23 April 2008, 10 November 2010,www2.deia.com/es/impresa/2008/04/23/bizkaia/herrialdeak/461574.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20110709011034www2.deia.com/es/impresa/2008/04/23/bizkaia/herrialdeak/461574.php,">web.archive.org/web/20110709011034www2.deia.com/es/impresa/2008/04/23/bizkaia/herrialdeak/461574.php, 9 July 2011, dead, dmy-all, Between 1890 and 1893 the first transporter bridge (“Puente Colgante”) in the world on the Nervion river, between Portugalete and Getxo, was built by Alberto Palacio (architect and engineer) together with his brother Silvestre.Since the deindustrialization process started in the 1990s, many of the former industrial areas are being transformed into modern public and private spaces designed by several of the world’s most renowned architects and artists. The main example is the Guggenheim Museum, located in what was an old dock and wood warehouse. The building, designed by Frank Gehry and inaugurated in October 1997, is considered among architecture experts as one of the most important structures of the last 30 years,NEWS, Tyrnauer, Matt, Architecture in the Age of Gehry,www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/08/architecture-survey-201008?currentPage=all, 10 November 2010, Vanity Fair (magazine), Vanity Fair, 30 June 2010,www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/08/architecture-survey-201008?currentPage=all," title="web.archive.org/web/20101128123314www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/08/architecture-survey-201008?currentPage=all,">web.archive.org/web/20101128123314www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/08/architecture-survey-201008?currentPage=all, 28 November 2010, live, and a masterpiece by itself.NEWS,www.lynnparr.co.uk/articles/Guggenheim.pdf, Perfect Space, Parr, Linda, Artists & Illustrators, 2007, 10 November 2010, dead,www.lynnparr.co.uk/articles/Guggenheim.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20120302193838www.lynnparr.co.uk/articles/Guggenheim.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20120302193838www.lynnparr.co.uk/articles/Guggenheim.pdf, 2 March 2012, The museum houses part of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation modern art collection. Another example is the Azkuna Zentroa, a wine warehouse built in 1909 and completely redesigned in 2010 by French designer Philippe Starck into a multi-purpose venue that consists of a cinema multiplex, a fitness centre, a library, and a restaurant, among other spaces.WEB,www.alhondigabilbao.com/la-alhondiga-centro-de-ocio-y-cultura, The Alhóndiga, Culture, Alhóndiga Bilbao, 20 October 2010, {{dead link|date=June 2016}}{{cbignore}}WEB,info.elcorreo.com/bilbao/inauguracion-alhondiga/que-es/la-alhondiga-vuelve-a-la-vida/, La nueva Alhóndiga, El Correo, 20 October 2010,info.elcorreo.com/bilbao/inauguracion-alhondiga/que-es/la-alhondiga-vuelve-a-la-vida/," title="web.archive.org/web/20100923193620info.elcorreo.com/bilbao/inauguracion-alhondiga/que-es/la-alhondiga-vuelve-a-la-vida/,">web.archive.org/web/20100923193620info.elcorreo.com/bilbao/inauguracion-alhondiga/que-es/la-alhondiga-vuelve-a-la-vida/, 23 September 2010, live, The Abandoibarra area is also being renovated, and it features not only the Guggenheim Museum, but also Arata Isozaki’s tower complex, the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall and the Iberdrola Tower, designed by Argentine architect César Pelli which is, since its completion in 2011, the Basque Country’s tallest skyscraper, {{convert|165|m}} high.WEB,www.torreiberdrola.es/edificio/proyecto/presentacion.php?idioma=en&, Presentation, Torre Iberdrola, 10 November 2010,www.torreiberdrola.es/edificio/proyecto/presentacion.php?idioma=en&," title="web.archive.org/web/20100404092018www.torreiberdrola.es/edificio/proyecto/presentacion.php?idioma=en&,">web.archive.org/web/20100404092018www.torreiberdrola.es/edificio/proyecto/presentacion.php?idioma=en&, 4 April 2010, dead, Zorrozaurre is the next area to be redeveloped, following a 2007 master plan designed by Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. This peninsula was transformed into a {{convert|500000|m2|abbr=on}} island and will feature residential and commercial buildings, as well as the new BBK seat.WEB,www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100204/vizcaya/seguira-quedando-claro-estilo-20100204.html, Seguirá quedando claro el estilo de Zaha Hadid, El Correo, 10 November 2010, 16 July 2011,www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100204/vizcaya/seguira-quedando-claro-estilo-20100204.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20110716085224www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100204/vizcaya/seguira-quedando-claro-estilo-20100204.html,">web.archive.org/web/20110716085224www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100204/vizcaya/seguira-quedando-claro-estilo-20100204.html, live, {{clear}}Parks and gardens
(File:Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park, Bilbao, July 2010 (05).JPG|thumb|right|Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park){{As of|2010}}, Bilbao has 18 public parks inside its limits, totalling {{convert|200|ha|abbr=on}} of green spaces. Furthermore its green belt has a total area of {{convert|1025|ha|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|119|ha|abbr=on}} are urbanized.WEB,www.bilbao.net/anilloverde/gran_recorrido/gran_recorrido.pdf, Ibilbide Luzea – Gran Recorrido, Bilbao City Council, 11 November 2010, 5 July 2010,www.bilbao.net/anilloverde/gran_recorrido/gran_recorrido.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20100705024338www.bilbao.net/anilloverde/gran_recorrido/gran_recorrido.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20100705024338www.bilbao.net/anilloverde/gran_recorrido/gran_recorrido.pdf, live, The largest parks are Mount Cobetas, of {{convert|18.5|ha|abbr=on}}, and Larreagaburu, of {{convert|12|ha|abbr=on}}, both located on the outskirts.WEB,www.bilbao.net/nuevobilbao/jsp/bilbao/pwegb010.jsp?idioma=i&color=rojo&textarea=3EE&subtema=10&padresub=3EE&tema=5EE&padre=*EE, Parques urbanos, Bilbao City Council, 11 November 2010, {{dead link|date=April 2011}}The Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park is located in the district of Abando, near the town centre and covers an area of {{convert|8.5|ha|abbr=on}}. It is named after a local benefactress who donated the grounds to the borough. It is an English-style garden designed by Ricardo Bastida and opened to the public in 1907. It features a dancing water fountain surrounded by a pergola, and a pond with many species of ducks, geese and swans, which gives the park the alternate name of “Ducks’ Park”, as known locally. In recent years, it was expanded to be connected with the Abandoibarra area.WEB,www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard.htm, Doña Casilda Park, Bilbao City Council, 12 November 2010, 12 August 2010,www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20100812074712www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20100812074712www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard.htm, live, In Ibaiondo, the Etxeberria Park was built in the 1980s in the place where a steel mill previously stood. The original chimney was maintained as a homage of its industrial past. It covers an area of {{convert|18.9|ha|abbr=on}}, on a sloped terrain that overlooks the Old Town.WEB,www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard2.htm, Etxebarria Park, Bilbao City Council, 12 November 2010, 19 July 2011,www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard2.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20110719010110www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard2.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20110719010110www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard2.htm, live, Other relevant public spaces inside the city include the Europa Park, the Miribilla Park, or the Memorial Walkway, a {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} long walkway, with {{convert|12|m|abbr=on}} high lamps, located in the left bank of the estuary and that connects the main sights.WEB,www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard3.htm, Memorial Walkway, Bilbao City Council, 12 November 2010, 19 July 2011,www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard3.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20110719010136www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard3.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20110719010136www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard3.htm, live, Mount Artxanda is easily accessible from the town centre by a funicular. There is a recreational area at the summit, with restaurants, a sports complex and a balcony with panoramic views. In the south, Mount Pagasarri receives hundreds of hikers every weekend since the 1870s, who seek its natural wonders. Its environment is officially protected since 2007.WEB,www.bilbao.net/castella/obras/publicaciones/pagasarri/libro_completo.pdf, Pagasarri: Our closest mountain, Bilbao City Council, 2007, 12 November 2010, 25 July 2011,www.bilbao.net/castella/obras/publicaciones/pagasarri/libro_completo.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20110725130404www.bilbao.net/castella/obras/publicaciones/pagasarri/libro_completo.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20110725130404www.bilbao.net/castella/obras/publicaciones/pagasarri/libro_completo.pdf, live,Culture
Bilbao was appointed a “City of Design” by UNESCO in 2014 and has been part of the Creative Cities Network since then.WEB,en.unesco.org/creative-cities/bilbao, Bilbao {{!, Creative Cities Network|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003221114en.unesco.org/creative-cities/bilbao|url-status=live}}Theaters
(File:Teatro Arriaga. Bilbao.jpg|thumb|right|The Arriaga Theater, located by the river in the Old Town)The main hall of the city is the Arriaga Theater, reopened in 1985 as a municipal venue with a varied repertoire that includes dancing, opera, live music and theatre. Also very active are the Campos ElÃseos Theater and the Euskalduna Concert Hall. Other important venues include La Fundición, dedicated to contemporary dances and theatre; the Pabellón 6, the Sala BBK and the Azkuna Zentroa.Museums
(File:Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao (26311230864).jpg|thumb|right|The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao)Bilbao has more than a dozen museums covering a range of fields including art, science, and sport, which have played a central role in Bilbao being named one of the most creative cities in the world.WEB, Bilbao, one of the 9 most creative cities of 2016, 24 May 2016,aboutbasquecountry.eus/en/2016/05/24/howitravel-bilbao-one-of-the-9-most-creative-cities-of-2016/, 6 November 2016, 1 September 2016,aboutbasquecountry.eus/en/2016/05/24/howitravel-bilbao-one-of-the-9-most-creative-cities-of-2016/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160901023736aboutbasquecountry.eus/en/2016/05/24/howitravel-bilbao-one-of-the-9-most-creative-cities-of-2016/,">web.archive.org/web/20160901023736aboutbasquecountry.eus/en/2016/05/24/howitravel-bilbao-one-of-the-9-most-creative-cities-of-2016/, live, The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, part of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, was inaugurated on 19 October 1997 and is work of the Canadian architect Frank Gehry.WEB, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao,www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/en/, 30 July 2016, 29 July 2016,web.archive.org/web/20160729193312/https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/en/, live, The museum’s permanent collection is centered in the visual arts of the second half of the 20th century and the present, with relevant artworks from Richard Serra and Jeff Koons, although including as well temporary exhibitions with a more varied nature, like Russian art or engravings from Albrecht Dürer.WEB,www.gara.net/paperezkoa/20070626/25753/es/El-Guggenheim-acoge-una-selección-mejores-grabados-Durero,www.gara.net/paperezkoa/20070626/25753/es/El-Guggenheim-acoge-una-selecci%C3%B3n-mejores-grabados-Durero," title="archive.today/20130413185726www.gara.net/paperezkoa/20070626/25753/es/El-Guggenheim-acoge-una-selecci%C3%B3n-mejores-grabados-Durero,">archive.today/20130413185726www.gara.net/paperezkoa/20070626/25753/es/El-Guggenheim-acoge-una-selecci%C3%B3n-mejores-grabados-Durero, dead, 13 April 2013, Guggenheim Museum to hold a selection of the best engravings of Dürer, Labeaga, Izaskun, 26 June 2006, Gara, 20 October 2008, Another important museum is the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum,WEB, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum,www.museobilbao.com/in/, 30 July 2016, 15 August 2016,web.archive.org/web/20160815094019/https://www.museobilbao.com/in/, live, first established in 1908 and housing a notable collection of Spanish and European work from the 12th century to present times. The collection from before the 20th century is centered mainly around Spanish and Flemish artists such as El Greco, Francisco de Zurbarán, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Francisco Goya and Anthony van Dyck. The museum also holds one of the best collections of Basque art, with works from the 19th century to present times. It has an eye-catching collection of Avant-garde art, from the Post-Impressionism of Paul Gauguin to Pop art and the expressionism of Francis Bacon.The Basque Museum showcases Basque archaeology and ethnography, and holds frequent exhibitions in the area of Basque history.WEB, Basque Museum,www.euskal-museoa.org/es/hasiera/, 30 July 2016,www.euskal-museoa.org/es/hasiera," title="web.archive.org/web/20160731183129www.euskal-museoa.org/es/hasiera,">web.archive.org/web/20160731183129www.euskal-museoa.org/es/hasiera, 31 July 2016, dead, dmy-all, The museum building itself is part of the heritage listing Conjunto histórico. The city also has several specialised museums, like the Maritime Museum Estuary of Bilbao (Bilboko Itsasadarra Itsas Museoa), located next to the Estuary of Bilbao, which holds ships and other collection related to the region’s fishing and shipbuilding culture, being particularly relevant the Carola crane, last remaining element of the Euskalduna shipyard that existed where the museum now stands.Other relevant museums are the Biscayan Archeological Museum (Arkeologi Museoa) which holds important collections related to the region’s prehistory,WEB,www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/es/rutas-museos/, Routes and Museums, Bilbao City Hall, Bilbao Municipal Government, 8 September 2018, 15 June 2017,www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/es/rutas-museos," title="web.archive.org/web/20170615125911www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/es/rutas-museos,">web.archive.org/web/20170615125911www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/es/rutas-museos, live, and the Diocesan Museum of Religious Art (Eleiz Museoa), both located in the Casco Viejo quarter.Music
(File:Bilbao - Euskalduna 6.JPG|thumb|right|The Euskalduna Concert Hall)The Euskalduna Concert Hall is home to frequent musical performances and it is home of the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa) and the opera season programmed by the ABAO (Bilbao Association of Friends of the Opera). The Arriaga Theater is frequently the host of numerous musical events, other notable stages include the Philharmonic Society of Bilbao (chamber music) and Bilborock (pop and rock music). The city hosts many different musical festivities, often funded by the city hall. Due to its scope, it is especially relevant the Bilbao BBK Live festival, which has been celebrated every year since 2006 and focuses on Basque, Spanish and international pop and rock music.WEB,www.bilbao.eus/cs/Satellite?c=BIO_Noticia_FA&cid=1279180717991&language=es&pageid=3000075248&pagename=Bilbaonet/BIO_Noticia_FA/BIO_Noticia, Bilbao BBK Live, international reference for live, open-air music, 4 July 2018, Bilbao City Hall, Bilbao municipal government, 9 September 2018, 17 February 2022,www.bilbao.eus/cs/Satellite?c=BIO_Noticia_FA&cid=1279180717991&language=es&pageid=3000075248&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FBIO_Noticia_FA%2FBIO_Noticia," title="web.archive.org/web/20220217062416www.bilbao.eus/cs/Satellite?c=BIO_Noticia_FA&cid=1279180717991&language=es&pageid=3000075248&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FBIO_Noticia_FA%2FBIO_Noticia,">web.archive.org/web/20220217062416www.bilbao.eus/cs/Satellite?c=BIO_Noticia_FA&cid=1279180717991&language=es&pageid=3000075248&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FBIO_Noticia_FA%2FBIO_Noticia, live, Since the opening of the new San Mamés Stadium in 2013, it has been often used as an open-air concert venue, the first ever concert being one from the American band Guns N’ Roses in 2017.NEWS, Benito, Carlos, 30 May 2017, Guns N’Roses Concert in Bilbao,www.elcorreo.com/bizkaia/culturas/musica/201705/30/este-primer-gran-concierto-20170530171250.html, El Correo, 9 September 2018, 9 September 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180909222056/https://www.elcorreo.com/bizkaia/culturas/musica/201705/30/este-primer-gran-concierto-20170530171250.html, live, Other relevant music festivals include the Bilbao Distrito Jazz and the Bilbao Ars Sacrum, the latter dedicated to religious music.Bilbao is the birthplace of famous composer Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, who lived his formative years in the city before moving to Paris at age 15. Also native from Bilbao were the soprano singer Josefa Cruz de Gassier and Natividad Ãlvarez, nicknamed Nati, la bilbainita (Spanish for “Nati, the little one from Bilbao“) a dancer and castanets player who achieved national fame in the early 20th century.NEWS, Ãlvarez, Itsaso, 16 February 2016, The bilbainita who triumphed with the castanets,www.elcorreo.com/bizkaia/sociedad/201602/16/bilbainita-triunfo-castanuelas-20160215134651.html, El Correo, 9 September 2018, 9 September 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180909185158/https://www.elcorreo.com/bizkaia/sociedad/201602/16/bilbainita-triunfo-castanuelas-20160215134651.html, live, Also relevant is the Bilbao Choir Society (Bilboko Koral Elkartea), established in 1866. Important musical bands coming from the city include rock band Fito & Fitipaldis, Basque folk band Oskorri and folk-pop band Mocedades.Bilbao hosted the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards.NEWS,www.lavanguardia.com/cultura/20181105/452736870981/mtv-ema-2018-bilbao-actuaciones.html, Las mejores actuaciones de los MTV Europe Music Awards 2018, 5 November 2018, La Vanguardia, 24 May 2019, 24 May 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190524091928/https://www.lavanguardia.com/cultura/20181105/452736870981/mtv-ema-2018-bilbao-actuaciones.html, live,Festivals and events
{{see also|Aste Nagusia}}File:Larunbata20-87-bilbokokonpartsak.jpg|thumb|right|Marijaia and the during the Aste Nagusia, with Gigantes y cabezudosGigantes y cabezudosBilbao hosts several regular festivals and events. The most relevant is the Big Week of the city (Aste Nagusia), celebrated annually since 1978 and lasting nine days. It is the city’s main festival, attracting over 1,500,000 people every year.NEWS,www.elcorreo.com/aste-nagusia-bilbao/aburto-balance-positivo-20180826133531-nt.html
, Aburto hace un balance ‘muy positivo’ de Aste Nagusia y cifra en cuatro las agresiones sexuales
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, The festivities begin on the first Saturday before 22 August, and during those nine days the city hall organises a series of cultural events of diverse kind, including concerts, stage plays, Basque rural sports and bullfighting, as well as nightly firework displays. The festivities begin with the chupinazo or txupinazo, which is the launch of a small rocket, and the reading of a proclamation by the festivities’ herald. The central point of the festivities is the place around the txosnas, where the different konpartsak are reunited, organised by neighbourhood associations as well as cultural, social and political groups. The symbol of the festivities is Marijaia, a large doll which is burned during the last day of celebrations.Beyond the main festivities of the Aste Nagusia, the city also celebrates some minor festivities, many of them religious in nature, such as Saint Agatha on 5 February, the celebrations of Our Lady of Begoña on 11 October, the Day of Thomas the Apostle on 21 December and the Christmas festivities, centered around the figure of Olentzero. There are also festivities in the different neighbourhoods and districts which are celebrated locally, such as the Fiestas del Carmen in Santutxu and Indautxu, Fiestas Santiago in Bilbao la Vieja, Fiestas San Ignacio in San Inazio and Fiestas San Roque in Arxtanda and Larraskitu.The city also hosts the International Festival of Documentary and Short Film under the commercial name of Zinebi. It was first held in 1959 under the name International Festival of Ibero-American and Filipino Documentary Film of Bilbao, with the goal of being complementary to the San Sebastián International Film Festival. Since 1981 it is organised by the city hall and takes place in the Arriaga Theatre. Bilbao is also the host of the SAIL in Festival, a yearly event centered exclusively around sailing, which brings together international representatives of this sport.WEB,www.kulturklik.euskadi.eus/evento/2018022111025172/sail-in-festival-2018/kulturklik/es/z12-detalle/es/, SAIL in Festival 2018, kulturklik, 21 February 2018, Basque Autonomous Government, 9 September 2018, 9 September 2018,www.kulturklik.euskadi.eus/evento/2018022111025172/sail-in-festival-2018/kulturklik/es/z12-detalle/es/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180909185603www.kulturklik.euskadi.eus/evento/2018022111025172/sail-in-festival-2018/kulturklik/es/z12-detalle/es/,">web.archive.org/web/20180909185603www.kulturklik.euskadi.eus/evento/2018022111025172/sail-in-festival-2018/kulturklik/es/z12-detalle/es/, live, , Aburto hace un balance ‘muy positivo’ de Aste Nagusia y cifra en cuatro las agresiones sexuales
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Cuisine
{{see also|Basque cuisine}}(File:Bacalao Vizcaina (Marugán).jpg|thumb|right|Biscayan-style cod)Traditional Bilbao dishes are centered around products from the sea and the estuary, such as eels and cod. For the most part Bilbao shares its original gastronomy with that of the province of Biscay, including dishes such as bacalao al pil pil (cod fish cooked with olive oil, garlic and guindilla peppers), bacalao a la vizcaÃna (salted cod with Biscayan sauce, mostly made of choricero peppers and onions), merluza en salsa verde (hake fish with green sauce), chipirones en su tinta (squid served with its own ink), morros a la vizcaÃna (beef snouts with Biscayan sauce), revuelto de perretxikos (scrambled eggs with mushrooms) and desserts such as canutillos de Bilbao (puff pastries filled with custard or chocolate), Pantxineta (puff pastries filled with custard and almonds), rice cakes and bollos de mantequilla (butter buns).Bilbao, as other Basque cities, is known for a variety of appetizers and snacks, being prominent among them the pintxos, which are typically eaten in bars and that consist of small slices of bread on top of which is placed an ingredient or mixture of ingredients, generally of many different types and usually including elements typical of Basque cuisine. Other snacks include rabas (fried or battered calamari rings, usually served with lemon slices), Spanish omelette (omelette made with eggs and potatoes, sometimes including onions and peppers), (stuffed mushrooms), triángulos (Bilbao-style sandwiches),NEWS, Basabe, Nere, 27 November 2013, Culto a los triángulos de Bilbao,elviajero.elpais.com/elviajero/2013/11/19/actualidad/1384888329_411290.html, El PaÃs, 9 September 2018, 9 September 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180909185119/https://elviajero.elpais.com/elviajero/2013/11/19/actualidad/1384888329_411290.html, live, gildas (one or more olives, a guindilla pepper and an anchovy joined together with a toothpick).As for beverages, typical from the region is the txakoli, a white wine usually drunk as an apéritif. Biscayan txakoli (Bizkaiko Txakolina) is a protected for the white wine produced in the province of Biscay and it is usually served in Bilbao. Also typical are cider, patxaran (sloe-flavoured liqueur) and Rioja wine.There are many restaurants and bars who serve these dishes and beverages, especially around the Casco Viejo quarter. Txokos are also a very popular institution in Bilbao, as in other Basque cities and towns. Bilbao, and the province of Biscay as a whole, is one of the spanish cities with a greater number of recognized restaurants by the gastronomic guides, among them several Michelin-starred restaurants.Language
The Spanish language is the most used language of the city, followed by the Basque language, which is vernacular to the region. The presence of Basque in the city is less prominent than in other municipalities of the region, such as Bermeo or Lekeitio. In 1986, the bilingual Basque-speaking population represented about 28% of the total. However, the number of Basque speakers has experienced a continuous increase since, reaching a figure of 37% in 2001.WEB,www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/euskera.pdf, Linguistic competence of the Bilbao population older than 5 years., 2001, Bilbao City Hall, Bilbao Municipal Government, 20 October 2008, 1 October 2009,www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/euskera.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20091001170837www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/euskera.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20091001170837www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2007/euskera.pdf, live, More than half of the Basque speakers were younger than 30 and lived in the districts of Deusto, Begoña and Abando.According to the data from the 2016 census, the population older than 2 years old registered in the municipality of Bilbao who speaks Basque fluently represents 29% of the total population, while those who can speak it with difficulty represent around 19.95% of the total. Finally, those who cannot speak or understand the language represent the remaining 51.06% of the census.{| class=“wikitable left” style="text-align:right;”Transport
File:Bilbao - Intermodal 23.jpg|thumb|Bilbao IntermodalBilbao IntermodalRoads and highways
Bilbao is a relevant transport hub for northern Spain. Bilbao is connected to three major motorways and a series of minor roads of national and provincial level. The city lies on two international roads, the European route E70 that follows the coast of the Bay of Biscay and the cities of Santander and Gijón to the west and with Eibar, San Sebastián and Bordeaux to the east. The European route E80 connects the city with inner Spain to the south, including Burgos and Salamanca and continuing to Lisbon, and Toulouse to the north. The AP-68 motorway (European road E-804) starts in the city, joining with Vitoria-Gasteiz, Logroño and ending in Zaragoza.The city is connected with the regions of Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia via the A-8 motorway and with Durango, Eibar, San Sebastián and the French border via the AP-8 motorway, which is a toll road. The AP-68 toll motorway to the south is the main road connecting Bilbao with southern Spain and the Mediterranean coast, connecting in Miranda de Ebro with the A-1 to Madrid and in Zaragoza with the AP-2 to Barcelona.Minor roads passing through Bilbao or starting in the city itself include the national road N-634 which connects San Sebastián with Santiago de Compostela and runs parallel to the A-8 and AP-8 motorways. The regional road BI-631 connects Bilbao with Bermeo, while the BI-626 joins the city with Balmaseda. The city is circled by the BI-625 and N-637 roads, which form a half-ring to the east, and the N-634 and A-8 to the west.The city’s main arteries the Gran VÃa de Don Diego López de Haro, which crosses the financial and business district of Abando and connecting it with the Casco Viejo to the east and the San Mamés area to the west. The Sabino Arana Avenue and Juan Antonio Zunzunegui Avenue provide a direct route between the central districts and the motorways while AutonomÃa Street joins the southern districts on an east-west direction. The city has 14 bridges connecting opposite sides of the Estuary of Bilbao and the Kadagua river, including the La Salve and Euskalduna bridges, as well a series of tunnels under the Mount Artxanda.Airports
(File:Aeropuerto Bilbao Loiu 01.jpg|thumb|right|Bilbao Airport)Bilbao is served by the Bilbao Airport (BIO), the busiest terminal in the Basque Country and in the entire Northern coast, with more than 5.4 million passengers in 2018.WEB,www.aena.es/csee/ccurl/792/416/Informe2018_provisionales.pdf, Tráfico de pasajeros, operaciones y carga en los aeropuertos españoles, 2018, Aena, 24 May 2019, 14 January 2019,www.aena.es/csee/ccurl/792/416/Informe2018_provisionales.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20190114210531www.aena.es/csee/ccurl/792/416/Informe2018_provisionales.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20190114210531www.aena.es/csee/ccurl/792/416/Informe2018_provisionales.pdf, dead, It is located {{convert|12|km|2|abbr=on}} north of the borough, between the municipalities of Loiu and Sondika.WEB,www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?Language=ES_ES&pagename=subHome&MO=1&SMO=1&SiteName=BIO&c=Page&cid=1047658432537, Cómo llegar, Aena, 22 October 2008, dead,www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?cid=1047658432537&pagename=subHome&Language=ES_ES&SMO=1&SiteName=BIO&c=Page&MO=1," title="web.archive.org/web/20080922012153www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?cid=1047658432537&pagename=subHome&Language=ES_ES&SMO=1&SiteName=BIO&c=Page&MO=1,">web.archive.org/web/20080922012153www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?cid=1047658432537&pagename=subHome&Language=ES_ES&SMO=1&SiteName=BIO&c=Page&MO=1, 22 September 2008, 20 airlines operate in the terminal, including Iberia, Lufthansa, and TAP Portugal. Top destinations include London, Frankfurt, Munich, Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.WEB,www.bilbaoair.info/index.php/es/destinos-desde-el-aeropuerto-de-bilbao/, Mapa de destinos desde el aeropuerto de Bilbao, Bilbao Air, 24 May 2019,www.bilbaoair.info/index.php/es/destinos-desde-el-aeropuerto-de-bilbao/," title="web.archive.org/web/20190501210827www.bilbaoair.info/index.php/es/destinos-desde-el-aeropuerto-de-bilbao/,">web.archive.org/web/20190501210827www.bilbaoair.info/index.php/es/destinos-desde-el-aeropuerto-de-bilbao/, 1 May 2019, dead, It opened to the public in September 1948, with a regular flight to Madrid. On 19 November 2000, a new terminal building was opened, designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. In February 2009, a project was approved to expand the current building to double its capacity. Although originally expected to be completed by 2014, the financial crisis and the decrease of passenger traffic delayed it to at least 2019.WEB,www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20101119/vizcaya/ampliacion-aeropuerto-bilbao-retrasa-20101119.html, La ampliación del aeropuerto de Bilbao se retrasa al menos 5 años, El Correo, 19 November 2010, 23 January 2011, 26 January 2011,www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20101119/vizcaya/ampliacion-aeropuerto-bilbao-retrasa-20101119.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20110126103340www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20101119/vizcaya/ampliacion-aeropuerto-bilbao-retrasa-20101119.html,">web.archive.org/web/20110126103340www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20101119/vizcaya/ampliacion-aeropuerto-bilbao-retrasa-20101119.html, live, No work has begun as of 2018.Some low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair, also use the Vitoria Airport (VIT) located in Foronda located 59 km (37 mi) south of the city.Railways
(File:Bilbao - Estación de Abando Indalecio Prieto 02.jpg|thumb|right|Bilbao-Abando railway station)Long-distance rail lines connect Bilbao with Madrid, Barcelona and other destinations in northern Spain. The city has four railway stations: the Bilbao-Abando and Bilbao-Concordia railway stations are owned by Adif and operated by the Spanish railways Renfe, whereas the Bilbao-Atxuri and Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo stations are owned by the Basque railway network ETS and operated by Euskotren, serving short-distance local destinations.The Bilbao-Abando station is the main railway station of the city, with Renfe running Iberian-gauge long-distance Alvia trains to Madrid and Barcelona, as well as Intercity services to Vigo with connections possible to A Coruña and Hendaye. During the summer there are special trains to Málaga. The city will be connected to the Basque Y high-speed train network around 2023, allowing for high speed AVE trains to operate between the Basque capitals and also to Madrid and other Spanish cities in the future.NEWS, The new stations in Bilbao and Vitoria will be defined by the end of the year,www.elcorreo.com/sociedad/nuevas-estaciones-bilbao-20171030182922-nt.html, El Correo, 30 October 2017, 11 September 2018, 14 September 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180914060659/https://www.elcorreo.com/sociedad/nuevas-estaciones-bilbao-20171030182922-nt.html, live, The arrival of the new high speed services will involve the creation of a completely new underground station that will replace the current infrastructure. The construction is expected to begin in 2020.NEWS, Igea, Octavio, 8 March 2018, The new high-speed train station in Abando will cost 480 millions,www.elcorreo.com/bizkaia/nueva-estacion-abando-20180308151328-nt.html, El Correo, 11 September 2018, 13 September 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180913185354/https://www.elcorreo.com/bizkaia/nueva-estacion-abando-20180308151328-nt.html, live, Bilbao-Concordia station is located in close vicinity to Bilbao-Abando, and hosts the narrow-gauge railway services ran by Renfe under the Renfe Feve brand. Renfe runs frequent regional trains to the cities of Santander and León. Euskotren Trena runs regular services to Bermeo from the Bilbao-Atxuri station, while in the Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo station there are regional services to Durango, Eibar and San Sebastián.Public transport
(File:Bilbao Metro 05 2012 2406.jpg|thumb|right|Abando station of Bilbao metro)(File:Bilbao Metro 05 2012 2111.jpg|thumb|Metro entrance in Moyua, called ”fosteritos” after designer Norman Foster)(File:Euskotren Tranbia Uribitarte2016.jpg|thumb|Tram unit leaving the Uribitare stop)Public transport by rail and bus is organised by the Bizkaiko Garraio Partzuergoa (Consortium of the Biscayan Transport). The consortium manages the Barik card, a form of electronic ticket valid across almost all public transport systems of the Bilbao metropolitan area and Biscay province, as well as some other selected services in other provinces of the Basque autonomous community.The mass transit rail system is divided into different networks managed by separate operators. Bilbao metro, established in 1995, operates two underground lines with some overground sections (Line 1 and Line 2). These two lines connect the metropolitan area following the estuary on both sides, starting in Etxebarri in the south all the way to Plentzia and Santurtzi by the coast. Line 1 was built following largely the same route as the Bilbao-Las Arenas railway, which was still active by the time the Metro system opened in 1995 and since has been replaced by it. The metro system stations were designed by Norman Foster. Line 3 of metro is operated by Euskotren Trena, which also operates the regional services to Durango and Eibar as well as a commuter rail line that connects the centre of Bilbao with Lezama and the Txorierri valley. This third line of metro was inaugurated on 8 April 2017 and is expected to be extended to the airport in the near future. Projects for a fourth and fifth line exist and are currently being studied.Euskotren also operates a tramway line under the brand Euskotren Tranbia. The line follows the estuary of Bilbao across the central districts of the city, starting in the Bilbao-Atxuri Station and connecting important areas like the Guggenheim museum and the San Mamés football stadium. The original tram network started operations in 1876 and gradually expanded across the city to finally shut down in the 1960s due to being largely replaced by urban buses. The new tram system was opened on 18 December 2002, almost forty years after the closing of the original system.Renfe operates four commuter-rail lines in a system separate from the metro. Three of them operate under the CercanÃas brand and are collectively known as CercanÃas Bilbao, while a fourth line is operated by Renfe Feve. The three lines operated under the CercanÃas name operate largely overground and travel larger distances than the metro system, reaching municipalities outside of the metropolitan area such as Muskiz or even outside of the Biscay province, like Amurrio. The three lines all start in the Bilbao-Abando railway station, whereas the line operated by Renfe Feve starts in the Bilbao-Concordia station.The gaps in the railway service are covered by an extensive bus network. The urban bus system is operated under the brand Bilbobus and has 28 regular bus lines, 8 microbus lines and 8 night buses collectively known as Gautxori (night owl). The Bilbaobus network is limited to the city limits, and only a few lines extend beyond it. The BizkaiBus network fills this gap, with more than 100 lines, connecting the city with all other municipalities in the metropolitan area, as well as with most towns in Biscay and some in Ãlava.A Brittany Ferries ferry service links Santurtzi, near Bilbao, to Portsmouth (UK). MV Cap Finistère ferry departs from the port of Bilbao, {{convert|15|km|0|abbr=on}} north west of the town centre. A service operated by Acciona Trasmediterranea served the same route from 16 May 2006 until April 2007. P&O Ferries operated this route until its withdrawal on 28 September 2010 with a ship called the Pride of Bilbao.Public transportation statistics
The average amount of time people spend commuting with public transit in Bilbao, for example to and from work, on a weekday is 35 minutes. Three percent of public transit passengers ride for more than 2 hours every day. The average amount of time people wait at a stop or station for public transit is 7 minutes, while 4% of riders wait for over 20 minutes on average every day. The average distance people usually ride in a single trip with public transit is {{Convert|6.9|km|mi|abbr=on}}, while 10% travel more than {{Convert|12|km|mi|abbr=on}} in a single direction.WEB,moovitapp.com/insights/en/Moovit_Insights_Public_Transit_Index_Spain_Bilbao-1505, Bilbao Public Transportation Statistics, Global Public Transit Index by Moovit, 19 June 2017, (File:CC-BY icon.svg|50x50px) Material was copied from this source, which is available under a (creativecommons:by/4.0/|Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License).{{clear}}Infrastructure
Healthcare
(File:Bilbao - Hospital Universitario de Basurto 10.jpg|thumb|right|University Hospital of Basurto)The public healthcare system is served and managed by the Basque healthcare system (Osakidetza), which has a network of medical centres established across the city. The most relevant hospital of the city is the Basurto Hospital, located in the Basurto-Zorroza district. It was opened in 1908 after ten years of construction, and it was built due to the fast increase of population in the late 19th century. Its design was based on the Eppendorf Hospital of Hamburg, in (Germany), one of the most modern at the time.NEWS, González, Carlos, A Hundred Years of the Basurto Hospital,servicios.elcorreodigital.com/aniversario/hospital-basurto/historia.html, El Correo Digital, 2 December 2008, 26 December 2008,servicios.elcorreodigital.com/aniversario/hospital-basurto/historia.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20081226060251servicios.elcorreodigital.com/aniversario/hospital-basurto/historia.html,">web.archive.org/web/20081226060251servicios.elcorreodigital.com/aniversario/hospital-basurto/historia.html, live, In 2008 the hospital was named the best hospital in customer support in Spain.NEWS, Basurto wins the award of best hospital in customer care,www.deia.com/es/digital/bizkaia/2008/11/11/514635.php,www.deia.com/es/digital/bizkaia/2008/11/11/514635.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20090124075612www.deia.com/es/digital/bizkaia/2008/11/11/514635.php,">web.archive.org/web/20090124075612www.deia.com/es/digital/bizkaia/2008/11/11/514635.php, dead, 24 January 2009, Deia, 11 November 2008, 9 September 2018, However, the two largest hospitals that provide healthcare services to the inhabitants of the city are located outside of the city limits: the University Hospital of Gurutzeta/Cruces in neighboring Barakaldo and the Galdakao-Usansolo Hospital in Galdakao. Other minor public hospitals located in the city include the Santa Marina Hospital and the Hospital of Urduliz, located in the metropolitan area.Utilities
(File:Petroleo birfindegia eta Muskiz.JPG|thumb|right|upright=0.9|Oil refinery in Muskiz)The headquarters of Iberdrola, a multinational electric utility company are located in Bilbao. The company was created in 1992 after the merging of Iberduero and Hidroeléctrica Española and it is in charge of production and distribution of electricity. There are two thermal power stations located in the city’s surroundings, one in Santurtzi and the other in Zierbena. The electricity produced in both these stations is then transferred to the electrical substation of Güeñes by the company Red Eléctrica de España, which is the company responsible of moving electricity from the production stations to the final consumers. There is a combined cycle power station in the municipality of Amorebieta called Bizkaia Energia, whose energy is transferred to the substation of Gatika.The supply of all oil-based fuels distributed in the whole metropolitan area (gasoline, diesel fuel and butane) are produced in the oil refinery owned by Petronor in the municipalities of Muskiz and Abanto Zierbena. Petronor is a large oil company founded in Bilbao in 1968 and it currently comprises two partners, Repsol (85.98%) and Kutxabank (14.02%).Supply of drinking water is managed by the Consorcio de Aguas Bilbao Bizkaia (Bilbao Bizkaia Water Consortium), a public entity with the responsibility of managing the water infrastructure and distribution to many Biscayan municipalities, Bilbao and its metropolitan area included.WEB,www.consorciodeaguas.eus/Web/QuienesSomos/competencias.aspx,www.consorciodeaguas.eus/Web/QuienesSomos/competencias.aspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20171120021832www.consorciodeaguas.eus/Web/QuienesSomos/competencias.aspx,">web.archive.org/web/20171120021832www.consorciodeaguas.eus/Web/QuienesSomos/competencias.aspx, dead, 2017-11-20, Consorcio de Aguas Bilbao Bizkaia, n.d., Consorcio de Aguas, Consorcio de Aguas Bilbao Bizkaia, 16 September 2018, The supply of drinking water for the city comes from the Uribarri-Ganboa and Urrunaga reservoirs, which are fed by the river Zadorra.{{clear}}Education
(File:Universidad de Deusto.jpg|thumb|The main building of the University of Deusto)The Basque Country has a bilingual education system, with students able to choose between four linguistic models: A, B, D, and X, which differ in the prevalence of Basque or Spanish as the spoken and written language used in classes.BOOK,archive.org/details/englishineuropea00jaso, registration, basque linguistic model., English in Europe: the acquisition of a third language, Cenoz, Jasone, Jessner, Ulrike, Multilingual Matters, 2000, 180–181, 9781853594793, In Bilbao, there is a prevalence of model D (where Basque is the vehicle language and Spanish is taught as a subject) in Primary School, while Compulsory Secondary Education students favour model B (where some subjects are in Basque and other in Spanish). Finally, 67% of Baccalaureate students choose model A (in which Spanish is the vehicle language and Basque is a subject).WEB,www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2009/educacion.pdf, Hezkuntza, Bilbao City Hall, 2009, 5 December 2010, 25 July 2011,www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2009/educacion.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20110725130743www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2009/educacion.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20110725130743www.bilbao.net/castella/relaciones_ciudadanas/publicaciones/bilbao_en_cifras/2009/educacion.pdf, live, English is the most widespread foreign language taught, being the option for 97% of pre-university students.Higher education
Two universities are seated in Bilbao. The older is the University of Deusto, founded by the Society of Jesus in 1886. It took its name from the then independent municipality of Deusto, annexed to Bilbao in 1925. It was the only higher education institute in the borough until the establishment in 1968 of the University of Bilbao, later to become the University of the Basque Country in 1980. This public university, which has a presence in the three provinces of the autonomous community, has its main Biscayan campus in the municipality of Leioa, although the Technical and Business faculties are based in Bilbao.WEB,www.ehu.es/p200-content/es/contenidos/enlace/listado_centros/es_centros/centros.html, Centros, University of the Basque Country, UPV-EHU, 5 December 2010, 23 September 2010,www.ehu.es/p200-content/es/contenidos/enlace/listado_centros/es_centros/centros.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20100923014746www.ehu.es/p200-content/es/contenidos/enlace/listado_centros/es_centros/centros.html,">web.archive.org/web/20100923014746www.ehu.es/p200-content/es/contenidos/enlace/listado_centros/es_centros/centros.html, live, Since 2014, Mondragon University has also a presence in the city through the innovation and entrepreneurial centre Bilbao Innovation Factory.WEB,www.mondragon.edu/en/actuality/news/news/mondragon-unibertsitatea-opens-a-branch-in-bilbao, Mondragon Unibertsitatea opens a branch in Bilbao, University of Mondragón, 3 August 2015, dead,www.mondragon.edu/en/actuality/news/news/mondragon-unibertsitatea-opens-a-branch-in-bilbao," title="web.archive.org/web/20150904074127www.mondragon.edu/en/actuality/news/news/mondragon-unibertsitatea-opens-a-branch-in-bilbao,">web.archive.org/web/20150904074127www.mondragon.edu/en/actuality/news/news/mondragon-unibertsitatea-opens-a-branch-in-bilbao, 4 September 2015, In 2015, the offer of higher education in the city was expanded with the foundation of Dantzerti, the Higher School of Dramatic Arts and Dance of the Basque Country.WEB,www.deia.com/2015/09/24/ocio-y-cultura/cultura/dantzerti-inicia-su-andadura-oficial-buscando-retener-el-talento-en-euskadi, Dantzerti inicia su andadura oficial buscando retener el talento en Euskadi, Deia, 18 October 2015, 29 September 2015,www.deia.com/2015/09/24/ocio-y-cultura/cultura/dantzerti-inicia-su-andadura-oficial-buscando-retener-el-talento-en-euskadi," title="web.archive.org/web/20150929090318www.deia.com/2015/09/24/ocio-y-cultura/cultura/dantzerti-inicia-su-andadura-oficial-buscando-retener-el-talento-en-euskadi,">web.archive.org/web/20150929090318www.deia.com/2015/09/24/ocio-y-cultura/cultura/dantzerti-inicia-su-andadura-oficial-buscando-retener-el-talento-en-euskadi, dead,Sport
(File:Bilbao Arena.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Bilbao Arena, home venue of Bilbao Basket)(File:San Mames Barria eta Bilboko ikuspegia.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The San Mamés stadium, home venue of Athletic Bilbao)As in the rest of Spain, football is the most popular competitive sport, followed by basketball. Some people are interested in basque sports, one of the oldest sports in Spain.WEB, Basque sports: a hallmark of the Basque people,www.bizkaiatalent.eus/en/pais-vasco-te-espera/senas-de-identidad/deporte-vasco-identidad/, 2022-05-05, Bizkaia Talent, es, One could enjoy a Basque pelota match in Bizkaia Frontoia, Bilbao. In addition, Bilbao offers many outdoor activities owing to its location by the sea amid the hilly countryside. Hiking and rock climbing in the nearby mountains are very popular. Watersports, especially surfing, are practised on the beaches of nearby Sopelana and Mundaka.Clubs
- Football
- Basketball
Main sights
File:Casco Viejo (Bilbao).jpg|Casco ViejoFile:Bilbao - Guggenheim 46.jpg|Guggenheim Museum BilbaoFile:Euskalduna Palace (April 2009).jpg|Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert HallFile:Bilbao - Plaza Barria (Plaza Nueva) 01.jpg|Plaza NuevaFile:Bilbao - Ayuntamiento 24.jpg|Bilbao City HallFile:Bilbao - Catedral de Santiago 50a.jpg|Bilbao CathedralFile:Zubizuri bridge Night 3 (3820816136).jpg|Zubizuri bridgeFile:Bilbao - Zubizuri 07.jpg|Zubizuri from the other sideFile:Bilbao - Plaza Unamuno 01.jpg|Basque Museum and Unamuno PlazaFile:Bilbao - Teatro Arriaga 4.JPG|Arriaga TheaterFile:Basilica de Begoña.jpg|Basilica of BegoñaFile:Bilbao San Mamés Stadium 4.jpg|San Mamés StadiumFile:Bilbao - Gran Via 2.jpg|Gran VÃa de Don Diego López de HaroFile:Vistageneralriadebilbao.JPG|Estuary of BilbaoFile:Bilbao - Parque de Doña Casilda IturrÃzar 01.jpg|Doña Casilda Iturrizar parkFile:MBBAABilbao Fachada Antiguo.jpg|Bilbao Fine Arts MuseumFile:Bilbao - Diputacion Foral de Vizcaya 2.jpg|Provincial Government PalaceFile:San anton eliza.jpg|Church of San Antón and San Antón BridgeFile:Bilbao - Alhóndiga 02.jpg|Azkuna ZentroaFile:Bilbao - ria 1.jpg|Ria de BilbaoFile:Bilbao - El Arenal 3.jpg|El Arenal ParkFile:Bilbao - Iglesia de San Nicolás 17.jpg|Church of San NicolásFile:BilbaoMetro 05 2012 2403.jpg|Metro Bilbao, a work of Norman FosterFile:Bilbao - Torre Iberdrola 44.jpg|Iberdrola TowerFile:Funicular de Artxanda.jpg|Funicular to Mount ArtxandaFile:Plaza de Federico Moyúa.jpg|Moyua PlazaFile:Bilbao - Ribera.jpg|Mercado de la RiberaNotable people
- JoaquÃn Achúcarro (1932), pianist
- José Antonio Aguirre (1904–1960), football player,{{Athletic Bilbao profile|id=103/agirre|name=José Antonio Agirre Lekube}} nationalist politician and first lehendakari of Basque Government
- JoaquÃn Almunia (1948), parliamentarian and minister of Spain and commissioner of the European Union
- Sabino Arana (1865–1903), politician and writer, Fundator of PNV
- Gabriel Aresti (1933–1975), promoter of poetry in euskara
- Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga (1806–1826), composer, violinist and orchestra conductor
- Pedro Arrupe (1907–1991), Jesuit priest, Superior General of the Jesuits between 1965 and 1983
- Ramón Baglietto (1936–1980), politician
- Marivà Bilbao (1930–2013), actress
- Fito Cabrales (1966), singer, guitarist and composer
- Asier Etxeandia (1975), actor and singer
- Borja Fernández (born 1984), skater
- Diego de Gardoqui (1735–1798), politician and diplomat, first Spanish ambassador to the United States
- Ander Herrera (born 1989), professional footballer
- Ãlex de la Iglesia (1965), film director and scriptwriter
- Antonio Fernandez Saenz (1947), lawyer and human rights defender
- Asier Polo (1971), cellistWEB, Polo, Asier, Biography,www.asierpolo.com/en/biography/, Asier Polo Cellist, Asier Polo, 25 February 2019, 12 July 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180712054145/https://www.asierpolo.com/en/biography/, live,
- Jon Kortajarena (1985), actor and international model
- Iñigo Lekue (born 1993), professional footballer
- Juan MartÃnez de Recalde (c. 1526–1588), admiral
- Rafael (Pichichi) Moreno (1892–1922), football player
- Anabel Ochoa (1955–2008), psychiatrist, communicologist, writer and actress of Los monólogos de la vagina
- Pedro Olea (1938), director, producer and film scriptwriter
- José Luis de Oriol (1877–1972), businessman, architect and Carlist politician
- Txus di Fellatio, Jesús MarÃa Hernández Gil (1970), lyricist, poet and Mägo de Oz folk metal drummer
- Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936), writer and philosopher
- Iñaki Williams (born 1994), professional footballer
- Secundino Zuazo (1887–1970), architect and urbanist
- Gorka Márquez (born 1990), Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer
International relations
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Spain}}Bilbao is twinned with:WEB, Las nueve ciudades con las que está hermanada Bilbao,bilbaohiria.com/bilbao/las-9-ciudades-con-las-que-esta-hermanada-bilbao/, bilbaohiria.com, Bilbao Hiria, es, 2018-09-11, 2019-12-31, 31 December 2019,web.archive.org/web/20191231124632/https://bilbaohiria.com/bilbao/las-9-ciudades-con-las-que-esta-hermanada-bilbao/, dead, {{div col|colwidth=20em}}- {{flagicon|FRA}} Bordeaux, France
- {{flagicon|ARG}} Buenos Aires, Argentina
- {{flagicon|COL}} MedellÃn, Colombia
- {{flagicon|MEX}} Monterrey, Mexico
- {{flagicon|USA}} Pittsburgh, United States
- {{flagicon|CHN}} Qingdao, China
- {{flagicon|ARG}} Rosario, Argentina
- {{flagicon|ESP}} Sant Adrià de Besòs, Spain
- {{flagicon|GEO}} Tbilisi, Georgia
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}References
{{reflist|20em}}Bibliography
{{See also|Timeline of Bilbao#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Bilbao}}- BOOK, Beascoechea Madina, José MarÃa, Bilbao en el espejo. La Bilbao más antigua 1300/1700, 1999, Bilbao, 84-605-7844-5, 194,
- BOOK, Gómez Piñeiro, Francisco Javier, GeografÃa de Euskal Herria: Vizcaya, 1979, San Sebastián, 84-7407-068-6, 291, gom79, Luis Haranburu, etal,
- BOOK, Montero, Manuel, Construcción histórica de la villa de Bilbao, San Sebastián, 84-7148-384-X, 142, 2000, mon00, Txertoa,
- BOOK, Olaizola Elordi, Juanjo, Bilboko tranbiak-Los tranvÃas de Bilbao, 2002, Bilbao, 84-920629-8-3, 177,www.euskotren.es/euskotran/html/castellano/pdf/LIBRO.pdf, 26 October 2008, ola02, Euskotren, dead,www.euskotren.es/euskotran/html/castellano/pdf/LIBRO.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20090722080941www.euskotren.es/euskotran/html/castellano/pdf/LIBRO.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20090722080941www.euskotren.es/euskotran/html/castellano/pdf/LIBRO.pdf, 22 July 2009,
- BOOK, Pérez Pérez, José Antonio, Bilbao y sus barrios: una mirada desde la historia, 2001, 978-84-88714-94-7, Bilbao, per01, Ayuntamiento de Bilbao. Ãrea de Cultura y Educación,
- BOOK, Quiroga, Ramón, Marrodán, Miguel Ãngel, Bilbao: 700 años de historia, 2001, Abanto y Ciérbana-Abanto Zierbena, Abanto y Ciérvana, 84-931494-3-8, 115, qui01, Salgai,
- BOOK, Sánchez-Beaskoetxea, Javier, La vuelta a Bilbao a través de sus montes y de su historia, 2006, Bilbao, 978-84-88714-93-0, 94, Bilbao Aktiba!,
- BOOK, Tusell Gómez, Javier, Bilbao a través de su Historia, 2004, Bilbao, 84-95163-91-8, 212, tus04, Fundación BBVA,
- BOOK, V.A., La RÃa, una razón de ser, October–December 1998, Bilbao, 147, ria98, Fundación Museo MarÃtimo de la RÃa de Bilbao,
- BOOK, V.A., El karst de Pagasarri, 2000, 84-7752-319-3, kar00, Instituto de Estudios Territoriales de Bizkaia,
- BOOK, GarcÃa de la Torre, Francisco Javier, Bilbao : arquitectura, 2009, GarcÃadelaTorre, Arquitectos, 9788461328703,
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