Gipuzkoa
—  Province  —
Historical Territory of Gipuzkoa1
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Fidelissima Bardulia Numquam Superata
Coordinates: 43°10′N 2°10′W / 43.167°N 2.167°W / 43.167; -2.167Coordinates: 43°10′N 2°10′W / 43.167°N 2.167°W / 43.167; -2.167
Country	Spain
Autonomous Community	Basque Country
Capital	Donostia-San Sebastián
Government
• Deputy General	Martin Garitano (Bildu)
Area(0.38% of Spain; Ranked 50th)
• Total	1,909 km2 (737 sq mi)
Population (2009)
• Total	705,698
• Density	370/km2 (960/sq mi)
• Ranked	19th
ISO 3166-2	20
Official languages	Basque, Spanish
Parliament	Cortes Generales
Congress seats	6 (of 350)
Senate seats	4 (of 264)
General Assembly of Gipuzkoa	51
Website	Gipuzkoako Foru Aldundia
:1.^ Complete official names: Gipuzkoako Lurralde Historikoa (Basque) and Territorio Histórico de Gipuzkoa (Spanish)

Basque portal

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2010)

Gipuzkoa (in Basque and officially, in Spanish Guipúzcoa but since 2011 also officially written Gipuzkoa) is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country. Its capital city is Donostia-San Sebastián. It limits with the French department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques at the northeast, with the province and autonomous community of Navarre at east, Biscay at west, Álava at southwest and the Bay of Biscay at north. It is located at the easternmost extreme of the Cantabric Sea, in the Bay of Biscay. It has 66 km of coast land.

Its total area of 1.909 km2 makes it the smallest province of Spain. The province has 88 municipalities and a population of 705.698 inhabitants, from which more than half live in the Donostia-San Sebastián metropolian area. Apart from the capital, other important cities are Irun, Errenteria, Zarautz, Mondragón, Eibar, Hondarribia, Oñati, Tolosa, Beasain and Pasaia.

Its oceanic climate gives the province an intense green color with little thermic oscilation. Guipuscoa is the province of the Basque Country where the Basque language is the most extended.

Etymology[link]

The first recorded name of the province was Ipuscoa from a document of the year 1025.^[1] During the following years, and on different documents, several similar names appear, as Ipuzcoa, Ipuçcha, Ipuzka, among others.

The full etymology the word Gipuzkoa has not been fully ascertained but links have been made with the Basque word Giputz,^[1] containing the root ip- which is related to the word ipar (north), ipurdi (back) and ipuin (tale). According to this, ipuzko (one of the several first known denominations) might refer of something "to the north" or "in the north".^[1]

Denominations[link]

Gipuzkoa[link]

Gipuzkoa is the Basque denomination recommended by the Royal Academy of the Basque language, and it is commonly used on official documents on that language. It is also used on documents in Spanish, and it is the most used denomination by the media in Spanish in the Basque Country. It is also the denomination used in the Basque version of the Spanish constitution and in the Basque version of the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country.

Gipuzkoa is also the only official denomination approved for the historical territory by the Juntas Generales of the province.

Guipúzcoa[link]

Guipúzcoa is the denomination in Spanish, recommended by the Royal Spanish Academy. It is used in non-official documents and, in general, by Spanish speakers. It is also the Spanish denomination used in the Spanish version of the Constitution and in the Spanish version of the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country.

Demography and urban landscape[link]

Its area of 1,980 km² (764 sq mi) makes it the smallest province in Spain. The province numbers 88 municipalities and a population of 705,698 inhabitants (2009), of whom about a quarter live in the capital, San Sebastián. Other important towns are Irun, Errenteria, Zarautz, Arrasate, Oñati (with an old university), Eibar, Tolosa (during a short time capital of the province), Beasain, Pasaia (the main port), Hondarribia (an old fort town opposite to France).

Physical geography[link]

Gipuzkoa stands out as a region of hilly and green landscape linking mountain and sea, besides being heavily populated with numerous urban nuclei that dot the whole territory. The conspicuous presence of hills and rugged terrain has added to a special leaning towards hiking, nature and mountains on the part of Gipuzkoans. Some mountains steeped in tradition hold an iconic and emblematic significance, their summits being often topped with crosses, memorials and mountaineer postboxes. In addition, pilgrimages (which have gradually lost their former religious zeal and taken on a more secular slant) are sometimes held to their summits. Some renowned and iconic mountains to mention but a few are Aiako Harria, Hernio, Txindoki, Aizkorri, Izarraitz, etc.

The rivers of Gipuzkoa show a string of distinctive features differing from other Bay of Biscay rivers. These rivers, rising in the hilly Basque inland landscape (Basque Mountains), flow in a south to north disposition, shaping narrow close valleys stretching in this direction before joining the ocean. The rivers extend for a short length with a small fluctuation in the volume of water thanks to the stable rainfall all year round, besides showing an abrupt drop between rise and mouth if the length of the river is considered. The rivers, ordered from west to east, are the following: Deba, Urola, Oria, Urumea, Oiartzun and Bidasoa. But for a narrow strip extending east from the hamlet Otzaurte (Zegama) and the tunnel of San Adrian, the province drains its waters to the Atlantic basin.

Infrastructure[link]

Bay of Biscay, San Sebastian and Hernani in Gipuzkoa

San Sebastian and Pasaia flanked at either side by Mounts Jaizkibel and Larrun

View to the SW from Ganbo Txiki in Aralar, with Aratz and the Aizkorri ridge in the background

The region shows a communication layout well in step with its geographical features, with the main communication axes following the North to South direction up to recent times along the rivers heading to the ocean. So it was with the Way of St. James penetrating in the province via Irun and turning south-west along the Oria River towards the province limits at the tunnel of San Adrian. This stretch was in operation up to 1765 when the King's Highway moved to the western Gipuzkoan Deba Valley. A minor St. James route crossed Gipuzkoa east to west along the coast.

Currently, the main road cutting through Gipuzkoa sticks largely to that pattern, i.e. the N-1 E-5 from Irun to Donostia and on to Altsasu all along the Oria for the most part (gateway to Navarre through the pass of Etxegarate). Also, the major Irun-Madrid railway runs closely clinging to this river up to its very rise on the slopes of Aizkorri (train stop Otzaurte in Zegama). By 1973 engineering works for the Bilbao-Behobia A-8 E-70 motorway had come to an end, with the new road cutting across the valleys east to west and turning into the main axis between Donostia and Bilbao, besides enabling heavy load traffic to access the west and south of Spain (toll applies). Regional railway network Euskotren winds down along the coast from east to west too, while this transport proves impractical for long distance on the grounds of its tortuous layout and its serving small towns. The railway network reaches the border town Hendaia (change to SNCF).

The stretch of the A-15 motorway serving Gipuzkoa and Pamplona opened in 1995 shrouded in controversy after a protest and attack campaign led by ecologists, Basque leftist nationalists and eventually ETA. Troubles came to a halt after a deal was struck about the definitive layout. Later on, in January 2010, following a scheme drawn up by the regional government of Gipuzkoa to improve provisions for the ever increasing road traffic, the Maltzaga-Urbina AP-1 motorway stretch leading to Gasteiz was placed into operation, providing likewise access to the industrial areas of Arrasate and Bergara (gateway to Álava by village Landa). Works for connection between AP-1 and N-1 E-5 are due to conclude in 2010 by means of the highway linking east to west Bergara and Beasain. Arrangements for the road network of Donostia's metropolitan area (2nd ring road and Urnieta's bypass) are well under way and due operational by mid-2010.

A scheme exists for a high-speed rail with an X-type layout and links to the SNCF network in Hendaia (NE), Vitoria (SE), Bilbao (W) and Pamplona (S) (works due finished by 2016). The appointment of works were made, works are in place despite overdue, while the scheme faces opposition from conservationist, leftist and anti-system groups.

The only airport in Gipuzkoa serving just domestic flights is the San Sebastian Airport located in Hondarribia, while the air transportation needs are usually served by the nearby Bilbao and Biarritz airports.

Cultural traits[link]

Gipuzkera is a dialect of the Basque language spoken in most of the region as well as neighbouring areas of Navarre, which shows a considerable vitality and holds a prominent position among other dialects. The province's patron saints are Ignatius of Loyola, who was born in the neighborhood of Loyola in the town of Azpeitia, and Our Lady of Arantzazu.

The region has produced many famous Basque football players including José Ángel Iribar, Joseba Etxeberria, Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta.

See List of municipalities in Gipuzkoa.

Notable natives and residents[link]

• Juan de Amézqueta, ambassador to the king in the sixteenth century^{[citation needed]}
• José María Aristrain, steel industrialist^{[citation needed]}
• Jose Miguel Barandiaran, anthropologist, paleontologist
• Juan Sebastián de Elcano, 1st circumnavigator of the globe in 1522
• Pello Errota, famed bertsolari of the late 19th century
• Cándida María de Jesús, saint and foundress of the Congregation of the Hijas de Jesús (Daughters of Jesus)
• Blas de Lezo, admiral famed for the Battle of Cartagena de Indias
• Ignacio de Loyola, saint and founder of the Society of Jesus
• Iker Martínez de Lizarduy Lizarribar, Olympic sailor
• José María Olazábal, golfer and winner of Masters tournament
• Juan de Tolosa, founder of the state of Zacatecas in Mexico^{[citation needed]}
• Andrés de Urdaneta, explorer and circumnavigator
• Iñaki Urdangarín, former professional handball player and husband of Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca
• Ignacio Zuloaga, painter
• Baltasar de Echave Orio, painter

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gipuzkoa

• Official site (Information in Basque, Spanish, French and English)

v t e Regions in Gipuzkoa Bidasoa-Txingudi Debabarrena Debagoiena Donostialdea Goierri Oarsoaldea Tolosaldea Urola Erdia Urola Garaia Urola Kosta

v t e Provinces of Spain A Coruña Álava Albacete Alicante Almería Asturias Ávila Badajoz Balearic Islands Barcelona Biscay Burgos Cáceres Cádiz Cantabria Castellón Ciudad Real Córdoba Cuenca Girona Granada Guadalajara Gipuzkoa Huelva Huesca Jaén Las Palmas León Lleida Lugo Madrid Málaga Murcia Navarre Ourense Palencia Pontevedra La Rioja Salamanca Segovia Seville Soria Tarragona Santa Cruz de Tenerife Teruel Toledo Valencia Valladolid Zamora Zaragoza

v t e Traditional provinces of the Basque Country Southern Basque Country Basque Autonomous Community Gipuzkoa Álava Biscay Navarre Northern Basque Country Labourd Lower Navarre Soule

Markel Susaeta

Personal information
Full name	Markel Susaeta Laskurain
Date of birth	(1987-12-14) 14 December 1987 (age 24)
Place of birth	Eibar, Spain
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Winger
Club information
Current club	Athletic Bilbao
Number	14
Youth career
1997–2005	Athletic Bilbao
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2005–2006	Baskonia	36	(4)
2006–2007	Bilbao Athletic	41	(3)
2007–	Athletic Bilbao	164	(16)
National team
2007–2008	Spain U21	3	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 May 2012. † Appearances (Goals).

Markel Susaeta Laskurain (born 14 December 1987 in Eibar, Gipuzkoa) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao as a right winger.

Football career[link]

Coming through the ranks of Athletic Bilbao, Susaeta was given his first team debut on 2 September 2007, at FC Barcelona, managing to score in a 1–3 loss.^[1] At the start of the 2007–08 season, he was also registered for the club's B team, Bilbao Athletic, but finished it with 29 La Liga appearances (scoring on four occasions).

In the following seasons, Susaeta established himself firmly in Athletic's first team, although still not an undisputed starter for the Basque side. On 31 January 2009, he netted four minutes from time to give his side a 3–2 home win against Málaga CF,^[2] in an eventual narrow escape from relegation; he also appeared in six matches in the season's domestic cup, as Athletic reached the final against Barcelona.

Susaeta scored a career-best 13 official goals in 2011–12, including five in the season's UEFA Europa League as Athletic reached the final^{[3][4][5][6][7]}– the Lions also reached the decisive match in the domestic cup, once again against Barcelona.

Club statistics[link]

Honours[link]

• UEFA Europa League: Runner-up 2011–12
• Spanish Cup: Runner-up 2008–09, 2011–12
• Spanish Supercup: Runner-up 2009

Personal[link]

Susaeta's cousin, Néstor, is also a footballer and a winger. He unsuccessfully emerged through Basque neighbours Real Sociedad's youth system, and had a brief spell with Athletic's reserves.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Athletic Bilbao profile
• BDFutbol profile
• Futbolme profile (Spanish)
• Transfermarkt profile

Andoni Iraola

Iraola playing for Athletic Bilbao
Personal information
Full name	Andoni Iraola Sagarna
Date of birth	(1982-06-22) 22 June 1982 (age 30)
Place of birth	Usurbil, Spain
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Right back
Club information
Current club	Athletic Bilbao
Number	15
Youth career
1998–1999	Antiguoko
1999–2000	Athletic Bilbao
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2000–2001	Baskonia	35	(4)
2001–2003	Bilbao Athletic	75	(15)
2003–	Athletic Bilbao	315	(31)
National team‡
2001	Spain U18	1	(0)
2003	Spain U21	1	(0)
2008–	Spain	7	(0)
2003–	Euskadi	5	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16 March 2012. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2011

Andoni Iraola Sagarna (born 22 June 1982) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, as a right defender.

Combative and with good passing skills, he spent his entire professional career with Athletic Bilbao.^[1]

Club career[link]

Iraola was born in Usurbil, Gipuzkoa. A product of Athletic de Bilbao famed youth system, Lezama, Iraola made his debuts with the first team in the 2003–04 season, becoming an instant first-choice, while often taking Athletic's penalties and free kicks. On 30 August 2003, he made his first La Liga appearance, starting in a 0–1 home loss against FC Barcelona.

During his spell, Iraola never played in less than 30 league matches, while also helping the Basque qualify for the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, and finish second in the 2009 domestic cup; as former club legend, Aitor Larrazábal, he too contributed with goals, scoring at least once in every season.

On 28 January 2007, Iraola scored twice in a 2–0 away win against neighbours Real Sociedad, who were finally relegated. Athletic narrowly avoided a drop, ranking in 17th position.^[2]

International career[link]

On 20 August 2008, Iraola was called by new Spain coach Vicente del Bosque for a friendly with Denmark, alongside teammate Fernando Amorebieta. He entered the pitch in the final 15 minutes of the 3–0 away success, subbing in for Sergio Ramos.

On 29 March 2011, after nearly one and a half years without playing for the national team, Iraola started in a 3–1 win against Lithuania in Kaunas for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers.^[3] He was due to make the final cut for Spain's Euro 2012 squad, but injury forced him out in favor of Juan Francisco Torres.

Club statistics[link]

As of 10 May 2012^[4]

Honours[link]

• UEFA Europa League: Runner-up 2011–12
• Spanish Cup: Runner-up 2008–09, 2011–12
• Spanish Supercup: Runner-up 2009

References[link]

External links[link]

• Athletic Bilbao profile
• BDFutbol profile
• National team data (Spanish)
• Transfermarkt profile