San Sebastián (also called Donostia, in the Basque language) with a population of 180.000 inhabitants, is the cultural capital of the Spanish Basque Country. Situated on the Cantabrian Coast some 20 kilometres away from the French border, it enjoys a very mild climate. Local ordinances do not allow the establishment of industries or factories within city limits and so the city has no pollution problems and is very clean.
La Concha Bay and its beach are extremely picturesque. Located in the middle of the bay is the island of Santa Clara, which is flanked on both sides by two promontories, Mount Urgull and Mount Igueldo, from which magnificent panoramic views of the entire Metropolitan Area can be enjoyed. On Mount Igueldo there is a small Amusement Park and a little Zoo.
San Sebastián is well endowed with interesting monuments, museums, parks and so on. Many were built during the reign of Queen María Cristina, who repaired to San Sebastián in her summer holidays during the Belle Époque. From that time onwards, the city has become a tourist resort of high standards. Among its monuments are to be found the Miramar Palace, the former summer residence of the Queen, the Cathedral, built in the neogothic style, the Basilica of Santa María del Coro of baroque style, the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the María Cristina Hotel. National and international competitions are frequently held in the velodrome and in the sports complex of Anoeta. On the outskirts of the city the fine Lasarte Racing Track is to be found.
Not far from San Sebastián visitors may enjoy the Sierra de Aralar, a mountain range of great ecological value where monuments from the Bronze Age and roads built by the Romans some two thousand years ago are to be found. This Sierra has many peaks which make of it an excellent winter resort for hiking and cross-country skiing.
San Sebastián is also within easy reach of the Pyrenees with its famous mountains, passes and ski resorts. San Sebastián has many mountaineering clubs which bear out the mountain-climbing tradition typical of the Basque Country. Various Basque expeditions have climbed the highest peaks in the world in recent years, including Mount Everest.
Another Basque tradition is music. There are many choirs, the most prestigious being El Orfeón Donostiarra, of international fame.
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