511 Blue Flags have been awarded to Spains beaches for 2011, which means once again Spain has the highest number of blue flag beaches in the world. This is great news for the tourism industry and foreign visitors, around 85% choose coastal areas.

The Blue flags where awarded to beaches located all around Spains long coastline and where distributed around the autonomous regions as follows:
Galicia : 130
Valencia : 116
Catalonia: 108
Balearic Islands: 85
Andalucia: 81
Canary Islands: 39
Asturias: 17
Murcia : 12
The Basque Country: 3
Ceuta: 2
Melilla: 1

The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco label awarded to thousands of beaches and marinas in 41 countries across Europe and around the world. It is owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development at beaches/marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services. The program also includes environmental education and information for the public, decision makers and tourism operators. Galicia in the to Marbella in the south, Spain really can boast it has some of the most beautiful and best beaches in Spain.