The Miera River ( es, Río Miera) is a river on the Cantabrian slope of the

Iberian Peninsula The Iberian Peninsula (), ** * Aragonese and Occitan: ''Peninsula Iberica'' ** ** * french: Péninsule Ibérique * mwl, Península Eibérica * eu, Iberiar penintsula also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in southwestern Europe, defi ...

that runs entirely within the autonomous community of

Cantabria Cantabria (, also , , Cantabrian: ) is an autonomous community in northern Spain with Santander as its capital city. It is called a ''comunidad histórica'', a historic community, in its current Statute of Autonomy. It is bordered on the east ...

(

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

). It originates in the area known as Los Villares, in

Castro Valnera Castru Valnera ( Cantabrian) or Castro Valnera (Spanish) is a peak located in the central area of the Cantabrian Mountains, in Burgos, northern Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España ...

at 1280 m and flows into the

Cantabrian Sea The Cantabrian Sea; french: Mer Cantabrique, gl, Mar Cantábrico, ast, Mar Cantábricu, eu, Kantauri. is the term used mostly in Spain to describe the coastal sea of the Atlantic Ocean that borders the northern coast of Spain and the southwest ...

through the Cubas estuary. On its way, it crosses the Miera Valley, a narrow valley to which it gives its name, until it reaches the locality of

Solares Medio Cudeyo is a municipality in Cantabria in Spain, around 15 km from Santander Santander may refer to: Places * Santander, Spain, a port city and capital of the autonomous community of Cantabria, Spain * Santander Department, a departme ...

. At this point, the valley blurs and the river continues its course, marking the dividing line between the municipalities of

Marina de Cudeyo Marina de Cudeyo is a municipality located in the autonomous community of Cantabria, Spain. According to the 2007 census, the city has a population of 5,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Rubayo. Towns * Rubayo (capital) *Pedreña * Pontejos *Gajan ...

and Ribamontán al Monte until it reaches the sea, where it delivers its waters to

Santander Bay The Bay of Santander is both a ''comarca'' of Cantabria and the largest estuary on the North coast of Spain, with an extension of 22.42 km (9 km long and 5 km wide). Due to the influence of Santander and its metropolitan area, nea ...

through the Cubas estuary.

Etymology

The name Miera probably derives from Magrada or Mégrada cited by

Pomponius Mela Pomponius Mela, who wrote around AD 43, was the earliest Roman geographer. He was born in Tingentera (now Algeciras) and died AD 45. His short work (''De situ orbis libri III.'') remained in use nearly to the year 1500. It occupies less ...

in the 1st century.

References

Rivers of Spain Rivers of Cantabria {{Cantabria-stub