Abando

Abando was the name of an old municipality of Biscay (Spanish Basque Country), that was eventually absorbed by Bilbao. Nowadays, the name refers to the central district and neighbourhood of this city, holding the provincial administration, the long-distance RENFE Bilbao-Abando train station, three subway stations (Abando, Moyúa and Indautxu), and many commerces like El Corte Inglés department store.

Demography

The district has a population of 51,875 inhabitants and is divided into two neighbourhoods, the proper Abando and Indautxu to the west of Moyúa square. It has an area of 2.14 km² (0.83 sq mi), all of it is built up and its population density is 24,240/km² (62,780/sq mi).

History

It is speculated that Abando could correspond to the town of Portus Amanus, mentioned by Romans, but it's never been confirmed archaeologically.

In 1300, the city of Bilbao was founded in an area that was previously part of Abando and Begoña.

During the 18th century Abando was the most populated parish of Biscay, with about 2,100 inhabitants. This population was disperse in farms occupying a wide rural area, except for some denser areas close to the river, on the opposite shore of what was then Bilbao.