The mines in Gallarta and the creation of Altos Hornos de Vizcaya were the keys to the consolidation of Bilbao's iron and steel industry
It is no secret that Bilbao has a strong industrial tradition. Just
browsing in a newspaper library, you will see how much the city has
changed over the past 30 years. Quite a lot! The huge cranes, the
trains, workers, and zillions of ships making their way up and down the
Nervión have been replaced by big parks, state-of-the-art facilities,
and tourists strolling around. Fare thee well, heavy industry!
Bilbao has kept up with the times and made a new life for itself. Today, it is a city with boundless opportunities
Dear Bilbao, look at yourself now! In just 15 years, you turned your
dilapidated districts into lands of opportunities which you have been
wise enough to grab. You have also come to terms with your main source
of income, the estuary, looking it in the eyes. And you have taken care
of your looks. We are really proud of you.
Twenty-first-century Bilbao seeks to be technologically, artistically, and culturally competitive and gives those who are interested the chance to learn
Bilbao has changed at reckless speed: being a heavy industry centre with a coveted economic strength, it began to explore other sectors, like the chemical industry (there is Petronor and its oil refinery) and research. The city streets have become open-air art galleries, and efforts have been made to promote culture among citizens. The museums display wonderful art collections, engaging many in fine art and architecture. There is so much to learn in Bilbao!