Castro Urdiales, a seaport of northern Spain, in the autonomous community of Cantabria, situated on the bay of Biscay and at the head of a branch railway connected with the Bilbao-Santander line. Pop. (1870) about 3500; (1900) 14,191; (2005) 28,604; (2007) 30,022.
Castro Urdiales is a modern town, although its castle, converted into a museum, and parish church, Iglesia de Santa Maria de la Asuncion, date from the Middle Ages. It was destroyed by the French in 1813, but speedily rebuilt and fortified. Its rapid rise in population and prosperity dates from the increased development of iron-mining and railway communication which took place after 1879.
Tourism has greatly increased in Castro Urdiales in the last thirty years; many people from Bilbao and other parts of the Basque Country and Cantabria as well as Northern Spain in general keep summer homes in the town. Although the number of people registered in the town is around 28,604, the summer population can double or even triple this figure.The town is popular because of its beaches and scenic harbor. Sadly, the commrcial fishing industry is declining and may soon be eradicated completely.
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