Descripción
The town is said to consistently win a country-wide poll of citizens on preferred city to live in. Geographically set at the confluence of the Ter, Onyar, Galligants and Güell rivers, it has been a focal point of this part of Catalonia since before the Roman period. The Old Town is on the east bank of the river, with narrow, pedestrianized streets surrounded by the old city walls. The "Rambla", running parallel to the river, contains many street cafés and touristy restaurants. Tourist information is at the south end of the Rambla, beside the river. The newer town centre on the west bank has wider streets contains more shops and hotels, plus slightly cheaper restaurants. Girona has an ancient and proud Jewish heritage, although in part due to the anti-Jewish policies of the Spanish Inquisition and of secular authorities, few Jews actually live in Girona today. In August, the city becomes very quiet on Saturdays and Sundays, as most citizens escape to the sea. The city has approximately 100,000 people and is the capital of Girona Province in Catalonia which includes the counties (comarques in Catalan) of Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, Garrotxa, Gironès, Pla de l'Estany, and Ripollès.
