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Bilbao ) in the North of Spain, is the largest city in the Pais Vasco and the capital of the province of Vizcaya (Basque: i). The city has over 350,000 inhabitants (2004) and is the most economically and industrially active part of Gran Bilbao, the zone in which more than half of the Pais Vasco’s population lives. Gran Bilbao’s 946,829 inhabitants are spread along the length of the Nervion River, whose banks are home also to numerous business, iron mines and factories, which during the industrial revolution brought

A major seaport and industrial centre, the city is located on the river Nervión, and its suburbs extend to the Bay of Biscay. Population of the city of Bilbao proper was 354,000 as of 2003 estimates. Population of the urban area was 935,000 as of 2004 estimates. Population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) was 947,000 as of 2003 estimates, ranking as the sixth-largest metropolitan area of Spain. As of 2004, the mayor of Bilbao is Iñaki Azkuna.

In the north, Bilbao’s city edge is considered to be around the towns of Erandio, Sondika and Derio, in the east it is encompassed by Zamundio and Etxebarri. The southern border passes outside Basauri and Arrigorriaga and in the west, Santurtzi and Muskiz are the furthest extremes.

The city has recently undergone major urban renewal, in order to move away from the region’s industrial history and instead focus on tourism and services. The developments are centred around the new metro system by Sir Norman Foster (see Metro Bilbao) and, most of all, the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum by Frank Gehry. A new tram (EuskoTran) was introduced in 2002. The Port of Bilbao, formerly on the river, has been moved and expanded downstream on the Bay of Biscay, opening a great deal of central real estate on the river that has been the site of most of the new building. Other new landmarks include the Santiago Calatrava-designed Zubi-Zuri Bridge and the Euskalduna Palace, a cultural centre, further upstream. The two points are linked by a new riverside passageway opposite University of Deusto, which provides an open green space for the city’s inhabitants to relax.

A major landmark tower, designed by César Pelli, to house the Iberdrola electric company will also be built and there are ambitious plans to regenerate the peninsula on the river known as Zorrozaurre. A new airport terminal was opened in 2000, massively expanding the capacity of the former facility, and allowing growth in tourism fuelled by low-cost flights by airlines such as easyJet and Vueling. The airport is expected to handle 4 million passengers in 2005.

The idea is to create a city interesting and attractive to tourists: a bubbling city with a good selection of hotels surrounded by beautiful countryside and high interest for visitors. As well as the famous Guggenheim Museum, the city acts as home for the Fine Art Museum (recognised as one of Spain’s finest art museums and recently refurbished) and the Maritime Museum on the Nervion’s banks, which recently hosted the RMS i exhibition which has been touring Europe. These only represent a small portion of what the city has to offer.

In 1970, it was the sixth most populated city in Spain, with roughly 410,000 inhabitants, and the third-highest ranked metropolitan area. In 1981, population reached 433,115. This was the highest level for several years as the population began to decrease, but in 2003, Bilbao’s official figures counted 352,317 inhabitants (2004).

However some parts annexed during the Franco dictatorship have gained independence. Such is the case of towns like Erandio, Loiu, Derio, Sondika and Zamudio. That has lead to a bigger decrease in population.

Whilst the overall region’s population continues to climb, the city centre has noticed a drop in residents. This is a result of the steady and seemingly unbreakable trend of the city’s people flocking to the coastlines which has been underway since the 1990s. Industrialised areas are been left in favour of the coast. In fact, of the 18 towns around Bilbao with more than 10,000 inhabitants, only eight - Amorebieta, Arrigorriaga, Durango, Gernika, Getxo, Leioa, Mungia and Sopelana – have increased their number of inhabitants. Sestao has been worst hit, losing nearly 11% of its population in eight years.

It is the home city of the football (soccer) team Athletic Club Bilbao, who play at the San Mamés Stadium.

BILBAO in the Bernardo Estornés Lasa - Auñamendi Encyclopedia (Euskomedia Fundazioa) Information available in Spanish