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| San Cristobal church |
The town of Derio is located in the heart of the Txorierri Valley. The natural features of this area have facilitated the construction of roadways and other forms of transportation, favouring communications between Derio and the Butrón and Nervión Valleys, as well as with the rest of the Txorierri area. The nearby city of Bilbao has also played an important part in the history of the municipality.
The agricultural character of Derio can be seen in its old part, located halfway up the mountainside, around the Church of San Cristóbal, which today is quite far from the most densely populated area of Derio. The old part includes the Church of San Cristóbal, the cemetery and a number of farmhouses built nearby. Today, broad areas of the municipality still preserve their rural atmosphere against a background of meadows, small vineyards, greenhouses and market gardens. |
Over recent years, the centre of the municipality of Derio has moved to the hamlet known as Arteaga, thanks to its excellent position at the junction of several main roads, just opposite the railway station. The town centre has a modern layout, the result of an industrial development that started in the sixties. The town offers all main services as well as sports, health and cultural facilities.
Today, Derio, the largest population centre in Txorierri, is enjoying considerable demographic and economic growth, favoured by the creation of new technology and industrial centres, as well as the construction of residential estates. The historical educational tradition of the municipality is maintained in a large number of teaching centres based in Derio. Several of them are located around the Arteaga Centrum Building (better known as the Old Seminary of Derio), which today constitutes an important multifunctional centre for the whole region. |
Towns
