San Fernando (, "Saint Ferdinand") is a town in the province of Cádiz, Spain. It is home to more than 97,500 inhabitants. The city also uses the name "La Isla" (The Island). The people from San Fernando are locally known as "Cañaíllas" or "Isleños".

History

In history, the city played a paramount role when in 1810 during the Peninsular War led by Napoleon, San Fernando and Cádiz were the only parts of Spain which were never occupied by the French, until the French withdrawal in defeat from Spain in 1814.

The deputies elected to the Cortes of Cádiz met in the Teatro Cómico, and started preparation of the first liberal constitution of Spain, which was approved in the neighbouring city of Cádiz in 1812.

Flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla was born in San Fernando.

It holds the Panteón de Marinos Ilustres.

Notable people

  • Julia Medina, singer
  • Magdalena Álvarez, politician
  • Sara Baras, flamenco dancer
  • Luis Berenguer, writer
  • Juan Ruiz Casaux, cellist and teacher
  • Camarón de la Isla, flamenco singer
  • Fermín Galán (1899–1930), Spanish soldier who led the failed Jaca uprising
  • Carmen Guaita, writer
  • Anne Hidalgo, incumbent Mayor of Paris
  • Francisco José Maldonado, footballer
  • Abraham Mateo, singer and actor
  • Pepe Oneto, journalist
  • Rafael Gómez Ortega, bullfighter
  • Niña Pastori, flamenco singer
  • Yordi, footballer
  • Servando Sánchez, footballer
  • David Barral Torres, footballer
  • Abraham Mateo, pop singer
  • Monchi, footballer
  • José Enrique Varela (1891–1951), military officer

Twin towns – sister cities

San Fernando is twinned with:

  • Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France

Demographics

{|

| thumb|upright|[[Iglesia Mayor de San Pedro y San Pablo|Church of San Pedro y San Pablo]]

| thumb|upright|[[Panteón de Marinos Ilustres]]

|}

See also

  • Iglesia Vaticana Castrense de San Francisco
  • Plaza de los hornos púnicos y fenicios
  • Puente Marqués de Ureña
  • San Fernando Naval Museum
  • List of municipalities in Cádiz

References

  • Cadiz Province – San Fernando
  • Ayuntamiento de San Fernando
  • San Fernando Travel Guide