Blue flag beaches in Spain

Spain can still proudly boast the greatest number of blue-flag beaches in the entire northern hemisphere thanks to yesterdays announcement that a total of 571 blue flags will be waving this summer on beaches and Spanish ports, a total of 44 more than last year.

2009 has seen an increase of blue flag awards to 38 beaches and 6 more ports. Andalusia is the community with more kilometers of blue beaches. A total of 493 beaches and 78 ports have obtained the blue flag. The Blur Flag is an International Standard with an environmental seal that certifies the fulfillment of certain quality criteria, such as accessibility, the clarity of the water, the environmental information available to the users and the adherence to the legislation.

This increase is comparable to the significant reduction last year and is approximately the same as Spain's record number of flags obtained in 2007, with Spain continuing to lead the international classification, since one of each six or seven blue flags is located on the Spanish coast.

In absolute terms, Galicia is the community with more blue flags (124), followed by Catalonia (108), Valencian Community (101), the Balearics (85), Andalusia (83), the Canary Islands (35), Murcia (16), Asturias (12), Basque Country (3) and Ceuta and Melilla (two each).

With regard to the ports, Catalonia is at the top, with 21 blue flags, followed very closely by the Balearics (20), and a long way behind is Andalusia (13) and the Valencian Community (12). If the approximate kilometers of beach with a blue flag are taken into account, then Andalusia heads the list with 119 kilometers which is 38.3%, in front of the Valencian Community (91.6 km) and Catalonia (84.3 km).