Sant Boi de Llobregat / Spain

Country: Spain
Autonomous region: Catalonia
Catalonian name: San Baudilio de Llobregat
Province: Barcelona
Region: Bajo Llobregat
Height above sea level: 30m
Distance: 17.5 km from Barcelona
Area: 21.48 km2
Foundation time: the 6th century B.C.
Population: 81 355 (2008)
Density of population: 3 786.55 people/km
Mayor: Jaume Bosch i Puges

Sant Boi de Llobregat (Sant-Boi) is the city, included in the province of Barcelona, as a part of the autonomous community Catalonia (Spain). The population of the city is 81.355 people (2008).

Sant Boi is one of the most ancient settlements. It was founded in the 6th century B.C. Though the municipality prosperity was in the time of Roman Empire.

Sant Boi is located 17 km from the sea on the bank of the river Llobregat. In spite of the fact, that the city is on the plain, there are some hills on the territory. The mountain San Ramon is the highest point (300m above sea level). The mountain Muntaneta, a favourite place of citizens in the centre of the city, is covered with greenery (mostly pine-trees). However the particular interest is caused by a small hill near the river where there is a castle which was used for supervising the territory in the Middle Ages by Moslems.

The first settlements in the territory, where Sant Boi is situated, refer to the 6th century B.C. At the time of Roman Empire (since the 1st century B.C. till the 5th century A.D.) the territory prospered, the sea level reached modern Sant Boi those days and it contributed to its development. The most famous resident was Julius Anicetus who made and sold vessels with wine at the end of the first century B.C, which were found even in Rome.

Another important historical stage was Arabian Konkista (conquest) that began in the 7th century and ended in the 12th century. At that time the city was called Alkala (a castle in the Arabian language). The city was a strategic point from which the Delta territory of Llobregat (i.e. the territory of the south of Barcelona) was controlled. It is important to notice that while other cities were won over by Christians, having formed autonomy under the name old Castilia, Sant Boi de Llobregat remained a Muslim city during several centuries.

Then there were built farms in Sant Boi in the city and suburbs. Also at that time the first monastery of Capuchin monks appeared and a new parish church (1752) in Baroque style with neoclassical features was constructed. At the end of the 19th century the city started to extend as well as the population. In 1857 approximately 3000 people lived in the city, in 1900 Sant Boi became the most populous city of the area with the population over 5000 residents, and in 1935 - 10000 people.
In 1917 the first factory was built, sewage system was installed, and the roads were paved. During the civil war, the city was captured by republicans.

At Franco time in 1935, in the city 10 000 residents lived, in 1960 - 20 000, and in 1975 - 65 000. Actually it happened due to immigrants who came from other territories of Spain, to be more exact from villages and south (Andaluc?a, Extremadura, Aragon, Castile, Leon and Galicia). New districts were built, and the city centre was extended. Nowadays immigrants from Morocco, Ecuador, Romania and China come to Sant Boi.

As for the politic situation, since the democracy was establishment, at the head of the administration there always have been left-centrist forces: the Party of Socialists of Catalonia, sometimes they are supported by local Republican Parties and some other parties.

The city is divided into 6 administrative districts.

In spite of the fact that main business activity is concentrated in sectors of trade and services (60%), the industry is also developed in the city, especially metallurgy, and a great number of textile companies and food industry is located there. The industrial structure of the city includes about 3500 companies. The agriculture is developed due to fertile soils at the mouth of the river Llobregat and temperate climate which facilitates growth of many vegetables.

Good communications, closeness to Barcelona and El Prat, an international airport, and seaport, well-qualified workers and city council subsidy - all it gives great advantages to the companies and makes Sant Boi an important business centre.

The city is famous for its history and traditions. Almost monthly in the city there are various holidays, exhibitions and carnivals. Except historical architectural constructions, the city attracts many tourists by long-term traditions of weaving laces. Only here, celebrating the City Day, you can see many metres long laces which are spun in streets.

Sant Boi is famous for sport clubs. The most popular kinds of sport are rugby, football and cycling.

Sant Boi has 6 sister-cities: Marianao (Cuba), San Miguelito (Nicaragua), Peraleda del Zaucejo (Extremadura), Azuaga (Extremadura), Coin (Malaga), Nizhny Novgorod (Russia).

The official webpage of the city is www.santboi.cat.