San Sebastián

municipality in Basque Country, Spain

San Sebastián (Spanish: [san seβasˈtjan]; French: Saint-Sébastien, Basque: Donostia (Basque: [doˈnos̺tia])[2]) is a coastal city and municipality in the Basque Country, Spain. It lies on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, 20 km (12 miles) from the French border. It's the capital of Gipuzkoa. The municipality's population is 186,409 (2012). Locals call themselves donostiarra (singular), both in Spanish[3] and Basque.

San Sebastián
Basque: Donostia
Spanish: San Sebastián
Donostia / San Sebastián
San Sebastián and Kontxa bay from Igeldo mountain
San Sebastián and Kontxa bay from Igeldo mountain
Flag of San Sebastián
Official seal of San Sebastián
Nickname(s): 
Sanse, Donosti, San Seb, La bella Easo[1]
Motto(s): 
Ganadas por fidelidad, nobleza y lealtad
(Spanish for "Earnt by fidelity, nobility and loyalty")
San Sebastián is located in Spain
San Sebastián
San Sebastián
Location of San Sebastián within Spain
Coordinates: 43°19′17″N 1°59′8″W / 43.32139°N 1.98556°W / 43.32139; -1.98556
CountrySpain
Autonomous communityBasque Country
ProvinceGipuzkoa
ComarcaDonostialdea
Neighbourhoods21
Founded1180
Government
 • MayorEneko Goia (EAJ-PNV)
Area
 • Land60.89 km2 (23.51 sq mi)
Elevation
6 m (20 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total186,409
 • Density3,686.16/km2 (9,547.1/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
20001-20018
Area code34 + 943 (Gipuzkoa)
WebsiteCity Council

Notes change

  1. The title of La bella Easo ("beautiful Easo") comes from a 19th-century identification of the town as the Roman port of Oiasso. Other locations seem now more probable.
  2. Donostia (Basque) / San Sebastián (Spanish), El Diario Vasco, Thursday 29 December 2011. (in Spanish)
  3. Donostiarra. Diccionario de la Real Academia Española.