Structure and morphology of town through the historical cartography: Castro Urdiales, Cantabria (1800-1960)

This article aims at analyzing the structural and morphological dynamics of an urban space with a modest rank and size, Castro Urdiales (Cantabria), from its historic status as a fishing town to its consolidation into a modern industrial city. From a methodological perspective, the most substantial part of the analysis of urban dynamics is essentially based on the use of cartographic images, like documentary references that provide data and testimonials which are not found in other sources. However, as with other documentary sources, the information obtained from maps and plans had to be combined and complemented with other sources contemporaneous of those cartographic ones. And, of course, appropriate precautions have been adopted, similar to those taken with the written sources, contrasting information about possible errors and comparing with other sources, both cartographic and literary.