Barbate

Barbate is a coastal town located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2006 census, the city has a population of 22,496.Barbate is situated at the mouth of the River Barbate, some 7 miles (11 kilometres) along the coast to the east of Cape Trafalgar and within the La Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park. The "Tómbolo de Trafalgar", a local point of interest comprises a sandy isthmus joining Cape Trafalgar to the mainland. from the 1930s the town was known as Barbate de Franco because General Francisco Franco spent leisure time there. It ceased to be called this in 1998 after a decree was passed by the Junta de Andalucia. Barbate has a long history of fishing stretching back to Roman times when fish salting was at its peak. The town does not have the charm of many older settlements but it is well designed and has an attractive central square, "Plaza de la Inmaculada", flanked by the Town Hall and the Church of St. Paul. Barbate is popular with Spanish tourists in the summer but attracts few foreign visitors.