[Gocamino] 2005 pilgrims

[Blaroli@aol.com]

Hello you all,

In 2005, there was an increase of almost 20,000 pilgrims receiving the 
Compostela over those of 1993 which was the last non-Holy year.  And the  proportion 
of foreign pilgrims continues to grow and grow. 

A total of 93,924 pilgrims received the Compostela during 2005; 38,218 were 
women and 55, 706 were men. 
10,413 pilgrims were over sixty years old;  40,987 were between 36 and 60 
years of age;  32,666 were between 19 and 35 years of age and the remainder were 
under 18 years old.
76,674 pilgrims walked; 16,985 rode bicycles; 242 rode horses and 23 went by 
wheelchair.
35,476 pilgrims (37.75%) stated a purely religious motive for the pilgrimage; 
 49,977 (53.21%) stated a religious/cultural reason,  and 8,491 (9.04%) cited 
a cultural motive.
52,881 (56.3%) pilgrims were from Spain itself and 41,043  (43.7%) came from 
other countries.
The largest number of foreign pilgrims, 7,430 came from Italy (again!);  
7,155 from Germany;  5,909 from France;  2,574 from Portugal;  2,047 from the 
United States;  1,610 from the Netherlands;  1,512 from the United Kingdom;  1,470 
from Austria;  1,420 from Canada;  1,283 from Belgium;  1,163 from Brasil;  
726 from Switzerland and the rest, in decreasing numbers, from several 
countries, including Australia, Estonia and New Zealand, for a total of 105 foreign 
countries.
14,851 pilgrims commenced their pilgrimage in Sarria;  9,851 in SJPP;  9,230 
in Roncesvalles;  7,434 in O Cebreiro;  6,677 in Leon;  5,985 in Ponferrada;  
4,303 in Astorga;  3,284 in Pamplona;  2,609 in Burgos; 2,534 in Tuy and the 
rest, in decreasing numbers started out in varied places, including foreign 
countries.
The overwhelming majority of the pilgrims, 79,396, followed the French Way;  
5,508 the Portuguese Way;  3,984 the Northern Way;  3,140 the Via de la Plata; 
1,028 the Primitive Way, and the rest followed several other routes.

Students formed the largest group of pilgrims, 18,827; white collar workers 
were 16,552; technicians 11,593; artists 11,153; retired pilgrims were 10,389; 
teachers were 7,886; civil workers 5,029, and the rest was composed of  
pilgrims with varied occupations and housewives.

Again, the above numbers represent only those pilgrims that qualified for, 
and sought, the Compostela. The total number of pilgrims on the various routes 
of the Camino was much larger.  For instance, the Roncesvalles albergue 
reported that 38,560 pilgrims were there during 2005, (15,602 women and 22,958 men),
yet, only 9,230 pilgrims that received the Compostela came from Roncesvalles.

In a few weeks, when the January, 2006, issue of the Archicofradia's magazine 
"Compostela"" is issued, more precise information, such as the exact number 
of pilgrims from every country, becomes available, it will be posted. 

Meanwhile,

Warm regards,

Rosina.