Babia, Spain
Babia | |
|---|---|
| [mapframe not available on SimWiki] Interactive map of Babia | |
| Coordinates: 42°57′50″N 6°04′33″W / 42.96389°N 6.07583°W L | |
| Country | Spain |
| Autonomous Community | Castile and León |
| Province of Spain | León |
| Area | |
• Total | 380 km2 (150 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Total | 1,666 |
| • Density | 4.4/km2 (11/sq mi) |
| Time zone | GMT+2 |
Babia is a comarca in the León province, Spain. It is divided into municipalities of Cabrillanes and San Emiliano. In 2004, it was declared a Biosphere reserve. [1]
Etymology
The place name derives from medieval Latin in the form Vadabia. Philologists understand that it is a word with origins in the Basque word Ur, water, like Puente Orugo.
Municipalities
| Municipality | Population | Area(km2) | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabrillanes | 855 | 169.16 | 5.82 |
| San Emiliano | 691 | 210.73 | 3.24 |
Historically, Babia region was divided into :
- Babia de Abajo, Babia Baja, or Babia de Yuso (from the Latin *deorsum*), now the municipality of San Emiliano.
- Babia de Arriba, Babia Alta, or Babia de Suso (from the Latin *sursum* or *sussum*), now the municipality of Cabrillanes.
Linguistics
In addition to Spanish, Babia speaks a variety of the Leonese language: "Patxuezu", pronounced with the "/che vaqueira/"; although its writing depends on the area in which it is spoken. This language belongs to the linguistic set of the Asturleonese language which today is in frank disuse in the region.[2]
"estar en Babia"
In Spain, "estar en Babia" (lit. 'being in Babia') means being absent-minded, distracted or unreachable.
According to a widespread belief, the monarchs of León would holiday in the town. When asked of the whereabouts of the absent monarch, a reply would be "he is in Babia”. Over the centuries, the phrase came to mean being in the clouds or absent-minded. But there is no proof or evidence to support anything like Babia was a royal playground, let alone that the king neglected his duties in Babia.[3][4]
Another belief is that, at the end of summer, shepherds would migrate with their livestock to Extremadura. Sitting around the fire at night, it was common for a shepherd to feel homesick for their native region, until a companion would approach them and say, “¡eh, despierta que estás en Babia!” (hey, wake up, you're in Babia!), because their mind “estaba en Babia” (was in Babia).[5]
References
- ↑ "UNESCO Documentation for Babia Biosphere reserve". unesco.org. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- ↑ El Habla de Babia y Laciana. Guzmán Álvarez
- ↑ Bennett, Annie (24 October 2009). "Secret Spain: lost in translation". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- ↑ "El origen de estar en Babia y otras expresiones geográficas" [Origin of '"estar en Babia" and other geographical expressions]. ABC (in español). 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
La mayoría de los expertos coinciden en que hace referencia a la comarca leonesa de Babia. Cercana al límite con Asturias, era normal que al preguntar por el paradero de los reyes de León, se contestara que se encontraban en este lugar, ya que debido a su abundante fauna era su lugar de caza preferido.
[Most experts agree that it refers to the Babia region of Leon. Close to the border with Asturias, it was normal that when asking about the whereabouts of the kings of León, they would answer that they were in this place, since due to its abundant fauna it was their favorite hunting place.] - ↑ "¿Qué hay entre Pinto y Valdemoro?, ¿dónde está Babia?: un repaso por los dichos geográficos". Geografía Infinita (in español). Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
Otra versión hace referencia a los pastores trashumantes extremeños que en verano iban hasta esta zona. Cuando uno se había quedado dormido en el trayecto le decían: "estas en Babia"
[Another version refers to the nomadic shepherds from Extremadura who went to this area in summer. When one had fallen asleep on the way, they would say: “you are in Babia”.]
External links
- Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Babia, León at Wikimedia Commons
