Donostia-San Sebastian (Pasajes, Spain Biscay Basque Country)

Donostia-San Sebastiаn is a port city and municipality in Basque Spain (autonomous territory). The city covers a total area of approx 61 km2 (24 mi2). The municipality's population is around 185,000 (metro 435,000). The city is located on the Bay of Biscay's coast, approx 20 km (12 mi) from the border with France. It is also the capital city of Gipuzkoa (Basque Province).

The city is part of Eurociudad Vasca Bayonne-San Sebastian/Eurocity - a cross-border region (between Spain and France, along the Bay of Biscay's coast) that integrates 42 communities (total population around 650,000) in both countries. These integrated communities share common projects (tourism, freight transportation, infrastructures) based on their common Basque cultural base. The largest cities (with population 10,000+) in this "eurodistrict" are France's Bayonne, Anglet, Biarritz, Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and Spain's Donostia-San Sebastian, Renteria, Hernani, Fuenterrabia, Passages, Andoain, Lasarte-Oria, Zarauz. The Agglomeration Cote Basque-Adour includes the French cities Anglet and Biarritz.

The picturesque shoreline makes Donostia a popular resort vacation destination. Its seaside scenery is enhanced by the hilly surroundings.

San Sebastiаn city is at Urumea River's mouth. Most of Donostia is built over the river's wetlands. Major economic activities include commerce and tourism. Donostia is among Spain's most popular tourist destinations. Despite the city's small size, events like San Sebastian International Film Festival give it an international dimension.

On January 20th every year (Saint Sebastian feast) locals celebrate a festival famous as "Tamborrada". At midnight, at Konstituzio plaza in the Old Part ("Parte Vieja") the city's Mayor raises San Sebastian's flag. For 24 hours, the city is awash with the sound of drums and adults march around the city dressed as soldiers and cooks.