It is bordered to the north by the Cantabrian Sea, to the east by the Ribadeo estuary (on the other side of which is Castropol in Asturias), to the west by the municipality of Barreiros and to the south by that of Trabada.

[citation needed] The first well-known settlements date from Iron Age such as the Gallaecian hillforts of Grovas, Fornelo, Meirengos, Cárcovas, Pumarega, Torre and Aira da Croa.

The town began as a settlement beside the estuary, occupying what are now the docks of Porcillán and Cabanela, and later expanded on to higher land.

It was granted a town charter by Fernando III, permitting a weekly market, which is still held.

It depicts waves of the sea on which are superimposed a golden key at an oblique angle and a silver star.

Until the late seventeenth century the coat of arms lacked the star and the key was in the upright position.

[citation needed] The local economy is dominated by the service sector, in particular the retail and hotel trades.