A Spanish colony in Cascadia: between myth and reality

The fantasy of a Spanish colony in Cascadia: dreamlike scenery and harsh reality

Imagine a town called Toledo, nestled at the head of a calm bay, surrounded by a coniferous forest that recalls the greenest corners of Galicia. Ten kilometres away, another coastal town with white beaches and a Danish-style lighthouse. They are not in Spain, but on the west coast of North America, in the region known as Cascadia. This picture, which some see as the ideal setting for a Spanish 'colonisation', has reignited the debate about the possibility of starting from scratch in a territory that combines the best of Galicia, Castile and León, and Norway.

The idea is not new. Every so often, the fantasy resurfaces of a group of Spaniards leaving 'decadent' Europe and founding a new settlement on the sparsely populated Pacific coast. Its advocates point out that the area is practically empty between Vancouver and Seattle, with lush nature and a climate that, they claim, is not so different from Galicia's: while the water off the Spanish coast hovers around 14 degrees, in the North Pacific it is 10. The difference is real, but those who already live there temper the enthusiasm.

The dream runs into the mud of the Pacific

Residents of Cascadia paint a very different picture. Portland, Seattle and Vancouver have serious problems with homelessness, drugs and crime. The rain and cold are relentless: in winter, temperatures drop below zero and snowfalls are frequent. 'It's easy to say from behind a keyboard, it's another thing to be here in the mud,' they say. Quality of life in nature comes at a price: the climate is only pleasant in summer, and the cities that concentrate services are far from ideal. Those who have attempted the adventure warn that the culture shock and isolation are tough.

A colonial past that already was

What many do not know is that Spain already had a presence in the area. In the 18th century, explorers and missionaries founded the first settlements in the San Juan archipelago and at points along the coasts of Oregon and Washington. The place names still recall it: the name 'Oregon' is said to come from the Orejón stream in Ciudad Real, and 'Pensacola' is said to originate from Peñíscola. But those enclaves did not thrive, and the territory ended up in British and American hands. History shows that colonies are not improvised.

The dream of a 'New Spain' in Cascadia collides with bureaucratic, economic and social reality. The contrast between the imagined paradise and the experience of those who already live there is brutal. Meanwhile, on the digital map, enthusiasts keep pointing to their own Toledo, dreaming of a future that may exist only on screens.