Gijón, city and seaport, northwestern Spain, in Asturias Province, on the Bay of Biscay, near the city of Oviedo. Coal, copper, iron, zinc, and other minerals, as well as fish and agricultural products, are exported from Gijón. Industrial establishments in the city include foundries, textile and paper mills, oil and sugar refineries, and tobacco, chemical, glass, and porcelain factories. Gijón is thought to be the ancient Roman town of Gigia. It was captured by the Moors in the early 8th century; later in the same century, however, it was one of the first cities to be reconquered by Christian forces. In 1395 it was destroyed by fire. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the capture of the city by the Nationalists in October 1937 completed the fighting in northwestern Spain. Gijón has the most important roadstead on the northern Spanish coast between the ports of Santander, on the east, and El Ferrol, on the west. The construction of the port was begun in 1480; it was fortified in the latter half of the 16th century, and in 1788 it was equipped to handle West Indian trade. Population (1998 estimate) 265,491.
