Asturias (autonomous community)

Autonomous community and province of northern Spain; area 10,565 sq km/4,079 sq mi; population (2001 est) 1,075,300. The region is crossed by the well-forested Cantabrian Mountains and drained by numerous swift rivers. The mountain climate favours a large dairy industry, while along the coast, apple orchards produce the area's world-famous cider; corn is an important crop, and sheep and other livestock are reared. In the past Asturias produced half of Spain's coal; most of the coal mines have since closed down. Oviedo (the capital) and Gijón are the main industrial towns. Gijón is also the chief port, and fishing is a major occupation.

History
The name Asturias is derived from an Iberian people who lived there before the Roman conquest which took place in the 2nd century BC. Asturias emerged as a separate Christian kingdom in the 8th century, after the victory of Don Pelayo at the Battle of Covadonga (718). From Asturias came the Christian reconquest of Spain, as King Alfonso I extended control over Cantabria, Galicia, and northern Portugal. It was at various times united with León, Galicia, and Castile in the south; sometimes the kingdoms were separated and divided between the king's sons, only to be reunited again later on. By 1035 it had come under Castillian dominance. The eldest son of a king of Spain is still called the Prince of Asturias.

It was established as an autonomous region in 1981.