Cangas de Onís/Cangues d'Onís was bombarded several times in the Spanish Civil War.

It served as the seat of the Regional Council in the "pre-autonomous regime" of 1978–1981 prior to the entering into force of the Statute of Autonomy of the Principality of Asturias on 31 January 1982.

Given its varied height it has many types of plants, including many mountain shrubs, heather; oak, have and ash trees, rounded by grassland and copes.

The main economic activities of this region are agriculture and cattle rearing along with rural tourism.

The nearby Covadonga Sanctuary and its surrounding lakes are one of the main tourist destinations in Asturias.