O Grove

O Grove ( official name in Galician language, Spanish El Grove ) is a Spanish municipality of the comarca of O Salnes in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia.

Geography

O Grove is a 21.89 km ² large peninsula that is connected over the headland O Vao with the Iberian peninsula. On the western side of the isthmus lies the famous by the accident of the oil tanker Prestige beach A Lanzada.

O Grove itself is connected by a bridge to the island of A Toxa.

Demography

O Grove counted on 1 January 2013, according to INE 11,096 inhabitants, spread on two so-called parroquias: San Martiño do Grove and San Vicente do Grove. The population density is higher than in the interior of the island in the coastal areas.

Economy

Like many coastal towns in O Grove hitherto been heavily dependent on the sea: coastal fishing and mussel farming were the main sources of income. In the recent past, the place has, however, experienced a rapidly growing tourist interest; a large number of hotels and restaurants in all price ranges, a golf course and other recreational opportunities have arisen.

Holidays

• Festa do Marisco ( Seafood feast of ) 12 October
• Festa do Carme (Festival of Carmen, patron saint of sailors ), July 16
• San Martiño ( Feast of St. Martin, the patron saint of O Grove ), 11 November
• Xornadas as Centola ( feast of crab ), December 6