Bilbao (Basque: Bilbo) in the North of Spain, is the largest city in the Pais Vasco and the capital of the province of Vizcaya (Basque: Bizkaia).

Situation and population
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.

Gran Bilbao´s 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 heightened prosperity to the region. 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.

Weather
Bilbao´s weather is an damp oceanic one, warm temperatures all along the year. Drain´s are more frecuently on spring and autumn, with kindly winters and summers not excessively hot.

Temperature is over 20ºC on summer and 8ºC on winter.

Developing tourism
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 Titanic exhibition which has been touring Europe. These only represent a small portion of what the city has to offer. It is the home city of the football (soccer) team Athletic Club Bilbao, who play at the San Mamés Stadium.

Datos de Contacto
Dirección: Alameda Recalde, 35 A - 1 Izda. 48011 - Bilbao
Tlf: 944106339 Fax: 944701576 E-mail: reservas@hostalcentral.com