explore-magazine-issue-20-europe

Iberian Peninsula

Your Language Guide for LA CORUÑA:

While Castilian is the official language of Spain, certain autonomous regions have their own language. For instance, Catalan is spoken in Barcelona, which is in Catalonia. Basque is widely spoken in Bilbao (and Biarritz on the French side of Basque Country). And as you stroll through the historic seaside port of La Coruña, you will hear the sing-song of the Galician language pour out of the cafés and shops. To the ear, it may sound like the locals are speaking Portuguese, and that’s because, in the Middle Ages, both languages were one and the same. Over time, Portuguese and Galician began to diverge into separate languages. As a result, separate styles of music, dance, and even new festivals were born, creating a unique identity for the Galicians.

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