The United States pushes, but Spain continues to lead the Jacobean classification
While the world waits for the next soccer World Cup, in the Camino de Santiago A very different competition is being held. There are no goals, cards or referees. Here the points are counted in the form of stamped credentials and arrivals at the Plaza del Obradoiro.
Taking as reference the most recent data from the Pilgrim's Office, the Camino allows for the elaboration of a curious international classification: the authentic “Pilgrims' World Cup”.
Spain is still the great champion
If the Camino de Santiago were a World Cup, Spain would continue to occupy first place. Thousands of Spaniards continue to travel the different Jacobean routes every year, maintaining a considerable advantage over other nationalities.
However, the distance with their pursuers is increasingly less. The Jacobean phenomenon has become a global experience and every year the presence of pilgrims from America, Europe and Asia increases.
The United States stars in the great comeback
The big surprise of recent years comes from the other side of the Atlantic. American pilgrims are growing at a spectacular rate and have become one of the international nationalities with the greatest presence in Santiago de Compostela.
What just two decades ago was a testimonial presence has transformed into a truly peaceful invasion of backpacks, boots and credentials. Many discover the Camino through books, documentaries, social networks or recommendations from other pilgrims who have already lived the experience.
Germany, Italy and Portugal do not lose ground
Countries traditionally closely linked to the Camino such as Germany, Italy, Portugal and France also stand out in this peculiar classification. Its pilgrims continue to be an essential part of the international community that arrives in Santiago every year.
Germans and French have been among the most loyal visitors to the Jacobean routes for decades, while Portugal maintains constant growth thanks to the success of the Portuguese Way, one of the most popular routes today.
The great absences from the Jacobean World Cup
Curiously, some world powers are barely represented in this classification. Countries with hundreds of millions of inhabitants still have a small presence compared to Western Europe or North America.
This shows that the Camino de Santiago does not necessarily follow the rules of the economy, population or political power. Other factors count in this competition: pilgrim tradition, cultural connection, spirituality and the ability of a route to inspire people from any part of the planet.
The real winner is always the Camino
Beyond the rankings, records and statistics, the reality is that the great winner continues to be the Camino de Santiago itself.
Every year it receives pilgrims from more than a hundred countries, becoming one of the largest cultural and human meeting points in the world. People who speak different languages, have different beliefs and come from distant continents end up sharing shelters, conversations and experiences under the same yellow arrows.
And if one day there were a true World Cup for pilgrims, the trophy would probably not be awarded to one country, but to all those who decide to put a backpack on their shoulders and walk towards Santiago de Compostela.
