In the port city of Santander, in the province of Cantabria on the north coast of Spain

 "To write is to get out of oneself and understand other worlds."

— Cesar Fernandez Garcia
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(in the province of Cantabria on the north coast of Spain) The port city of Santander, capital of Cantabria province, is found on the narrow coastline along the southern shore of Cape Mayor, a rocky peninsula that extends eastward, sheltering Santander Bay (an inlet of the Bay of Biscay). The center of the lower town was rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire spread by a windstorm in 1941. Notable surviving buildings include the Magdalena Palace, presented by the town to King Alfonso XIII; a Gothic cathedral; the library of the contemporary writer and historian Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo; and the provincial museum, with a collection of prehistoric artifacts from the locality. Santander has a summer university and is an episcopal see. (The University of Santander was founded in 1972.) The city hosts a month-long arts festival each summer.)

+ Situated on the coast, Santander boasts a slower pace of life and lots of gorgeous natural wonders, which give it a relaxing, easygoing vibe. To see the best of Santander's offerings, take a long walk along the city's waterfront (starting at the Paseo de Pereda). Also save some time for swimming and sunbathing at popular stretches of sand like El Sardinero and Playa de Mataleñas. (The latter overlooks the striking Magdalena Peninsula.)

+ The city's economy is based on tourism, fishing, heavy industry and activities connected with the port (shipbuilding). Manufacturing includes iron refining, steelmaking, and agriculture, especially cattle raising. Large warehouses make up the bay’s industrial landscape. Santander’s other major industries are finance, public administration, and health and education services.

+ Although much of the medieval city was lost in the Great Fire of 1941, its remaining Old Town, beach, and other attractions are quite popular today with tourists and other visitors, and its economy is mainly service based. The port is still very active and a regular ferry service operates to the United Kingdom. Fish and seafood dominate the local cuisine. Santander notably houses the headquarters of multinational bank Banco Santander, which was founded here.

+ While in Santander, enjoy the beautiful beaches of Playa de la Magdalena and El Sardinero, a historic city center, and an epic planetarium, all while breathing in glorious coastal air. (There are many Gothic cathedrals that will impress and inspire.)

+ Santander also has a great tradition of cultural activity, with events that play a big role in the cultural and social life of the city. The Menéndez Pelayo International University ("UIMP" in Spanish) is a major international summer university that organizes large festivals of music and dance. The Festival Internacional de Santander (FIS), Festival Internacional de Música de Órgano (FiMÓC), Encuentro de Música y Academia, and the Paloma O'Shea International Piano Competition are popular cultural events.