8Manuela

 Emily Ferro Spanish Project

**Cantabria**
Hello! Welcome to Cantabria, a Spanish, historical region. Cantabria is covered with varied landscapes and clear waterways. Along the rugged coastline is an abundance of seafood. An enjoyable meal is the Paella, a regional Valencian dish. Cantabria has a green area of particularly lush vegetation due to the wet and moderate oceanic climate.  One of the most breath-taking landscapes in the area is the Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe). Picos de Europa is great for hiking, and outdoor activities. The weather is also a pleasant climate with warm summers and mild winters; however, the climate is also unpredictable and varied. Besides the appealing weather, there are several interesting towns and cities that are local to this area. Santander, the capital of Cantabria, became a summer tourist destination due to the lack of industrial activity, its privileged location at the edge of a beautiful bay and its more than five kilometers of beaches. The city's year-round cultural life is emphasized during the summer months by the activities organized by the Menendéz Pelayo International University, the International Music Festival, the City of Santander Piano Contest, as well as various theatre and dance events. The Menendéz Pelayo is one of the most outstanding institutions in Spain. It expresses a wide variety of cultural activities such as dance, poetry and art.

The International Music Festival is one of the oldest music festivals in Spain. In the month of August, the festival has several performances; for example, the opera and ballet. Finally, the City of Santander Piano Contest is literally as it sounds. It helps young ladies and gentlemen take their first steps to be professional pianists. Each of these activities are admirable for a day or night visit with the family! Another historic area is Santillana del Mar. This area is 30 kilometers from the capital. Certain attributes that compliment this town is the Altamira Caves. This cave is famous for its cave drawings of wild animals ​and humans. Furthermore, the city has great sports facilities that make it an ideal place for leisure. Santillana del Mar also includes several exquisite buildings that attract thousands. The center of the town is beautiful with winding streets and yellow sandstone buildings that are surrounded by tourist attracting shops and stores. The Colegiata de Santa Juilana is a lovely church with a covered walkway that is adored by many. As a result, Cantabria is a picturesque area with an assortment of bays, beaches, mountains, and valleys. It would be a great place to come visit and it will enrich you culturally and visiting this region is an experience you will never forget.