Valencia is the capital of the Communitat Valenciana, a province located between mountains and sea on the east side of the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean coast.
Double geography
The Community of Valencia´s physical geography is divided into 2 sections: the inland territory and the coast. The former is characterised by modest mountains stretching up to an altitude of 1800m in the southern Andalusian cordillera. In stark contrast to this, the Valencian coast is very flat, boasting lagoons, sandy beaches and marshland.
A coastal population
Data published by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics recorded that 4,543,304 people were living in the Communitat Valenciana on 1st January 2004, of which the biggest populations were in Valencia (51%), Alicante (36%) and Castellón (13%). After the capital, the main towns in the province are Alicante, Castellón, Elx and Alcoi. Life inland is slowly dwindling away as the community´s inhabitants are choosing to relocate to the coast as a result of the growing tourist industry.
The city of Valencia (pic: Plaza de la Reina or something)
Spain´s 3rrd largest city with a population of nearly a million and covering an area of some 135km² of land, Valencia is situated right on the Costa Azahar, equidistant from both Madrid and Barcelona (approx. 350km).
Valencia lies at the mouth of the River Turia, which was diverted around the main town area after the catastrophic flooding of 1957. It is surrounded by orange groves and other fertile land – an area known locally as ´La Huerta´. It is ideally located with a 5km stretch of golden beach to the east, the rolling hills of the Alicante area to the south and a mountainous region to the west that is perfect for a multitude of outdoor activities or a quiet weekend away.
A Mediterranean Climate
The sun barely ceases to shine in Valencia as the city benefits from a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and bright, mild winters. The average annual rainfall ranges from just 400 to 500mm and the mean temperature in the city sits at a comfortable and agreeable 17.5ºC, with summer highs of 35°+.
A thriving economy
Valencia has experienced a strong economical increase during the last decade, largely as a result in the rise in tourism and of industrial construction projects. The port is one of the most influencial on the Mediterranean coast and manages some 20% of all of Spain´s exports. World renowned for its lushious oranges, some of the region´s main exports are fresh fruit and juices, as well as ceramics and textiles. The area also produces a lot of metalwork and rice; unemployment in the city is currently lower than the national average and small and medium sized business´ form a very important part of local income.
Written by Suzanne Bailey and Charlotte Faisant, May 2006
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