History

Isla's past is connected with the history of Cantabria, a region in which the character of its populations is profoundly marked by its roximity to the Cantabrian mountain range and the Cantabrian Sea. The first settlements in the Isla region were estimated to be those of stone-age hunters around 40,000 years ago, whose dwellings were in the Punta la Cueva near Cape Queja. Later, around the year 200 A.C., the Cantabrian people came under the control of the Romans, followed by the Visigoths who dominated until the start of the Middle Ages when the Monastic Orders took control, in the same way as the land of Isla.

It was in the area surrounding these temples that the first nuclear agricultural populations settled. Centuries late, under royal orders, the land passed into the hands of the nobles, which were all the inhabitants of Isla. Consequently, a new form of social organization emerged, known as the Benefactorías or Behetrias. Dating back to the XIII and XIV centuries, this "free men" system produced many confrontations between Isla's lineages, vicissitudes that ended with the creation of the integrated Juntas (Autonomous government) in the Merindad de Trasmiera.

In the last few years Isla has undergone a huge transformation from a coastal population principally dedicated to cattle farming to becoming one of the most visited tourist centres, owing to the amenities, good food and general quality it offers.

In reality Isla is a peninsula that lies between the Castellano and Quejo estuaries and the Cantabrian Sea. Given its position, it benefits from a coastal environment with rich landscape diversity ranging from wide, golden-sand beaches to protected coves and impressive sea-side cliffs. Situated halfway between the bays of Santander and Santoña, Isla's landscape is an excellent example of the Cantabrian coastline: gently sloping, wide, green fields, dotted with woodland, occasionally broken by mountains and rocky hills. The sea enters via the two estuaries forming natural habitats that are conducive to the population of birds and other interesting species that benefit from the abundant system.

Easily accessible by the Cantabrian motorway, Isla's location and good communications network has made it a holiday destination suitable for everyone.