Valencia (region, Spain)

I

Introduction

Valencia (region, Spain), autonomous region in south-western Spain, comprising the provinces of Valencia, Alicante, and Castellón. Valencia is bordered on the north by Catalonia, on the east by the Gulf of Valencia (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea), on the south-west by Murcia, and on the west by Castilla-La Mancha and Aragón. The region has an area of 23,255 sq km (8,979 sq mi).

II

Physical Geography

Valencia is crossed from west to east by a number of rivers and waterways. The Turia River flows eastwards across the region, opening into the Gulf of Valencia at Valencia. Further south is the Júcar River, which rises in the Universales Mountains, north of Cuenca in Castilla-La Mancha and flows in an easterly direction across Valencia, emptying into the Gulf of Valencia at Cullera. The Segura River flows across southern Valencia and empties into the Mediterranean Sea around 30 km (19 mi) to the south of Alicante. A short distance to the south of Valencia is La Albufera, a freshwater lagoon, separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a series of sand dunes and pine groves. It is at the heart of a Ramsar-protected nature reserve, covering some 21,120 hectares (52,190 acres); the park is an important wetland habitat for a variety of wading birds and wildfowl.

III

Population

Valencia has 4,470,885 inhabitants (2003 estimate). The average population density is 192 people per sq km (497 per sq mi). The largest cities include Valencia (population, 2006 estimate, 805,304) the regional capital, as well as the capital of Valencia Province; Alicante (2006 estimate, 322,431), the capital of Alicante Province; Elche (2006 estimate, 219,032); and Castellón de la Plana (2006 estimate, 172,110), the capital of Castellón Province. Other major cities and towns include Alcoy (2006 estimate, 60,590); Sagunto (2006 estimate, 62,702); and Játiva (2006 estimate, 28,474).

Higher education institutions in Valencia include the University of Valencia (1499) and the Polytechnic University of Valencia (1968), both in Valencia; the University of Alicante (1979) in Alicante; and University Miguel Hernández of Elche (1997), in Elche. The city of Valencia’s 15th-century Gothic silk exchange which, in 1996, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The famous tomato-throwing festival in Buñol (La Tomatina) is an annual celebration, the origins of which are uncertain. The Fallas de Valencia is an annual week-long festival, held in March; the festival features bullfights, concerts, processions, and fireworks displays.

IV

Economy

Valencia is renowned for its agricultural produce. Dates, oranges, olives, cereals, and pomegranates are grown in the region, which also produces woollen goods, brandy, wine, and olive oil. Other important products include almonds, rice, and barley. The mining of rock salt and calcium phosphate, together with fishing and tourism are its leading industries. Alicante is one of the largest cities in Spain and a centre for agricultural marketing, manufacturing, and communications. Industrial establishments in the city include textile mills, chemical works, metalworks, shipyards, and breweries. Europe’s largest palm grove, with more than 300,000 palm trees, is located in the city of Elche. Known as the Palmeral of Elche, the palm grove was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.