Alicante (Castillian Spanish) or Alacant (Valencian Catalan) is the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of the Alacant, in the southern part of the Land of Valencia, Spain, a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 316,000, estimated as of 2004, of the entire urban area, 405,000. Population of the metropolitan area (including satellite towns) was 680,000 as of 2004 estimates, ranking as the eighth-largest metropolitan area of Spain.
Alicante is one of the fastest-growing cities in Spain. Its economy is based upon tourism in the beaches from Costa Blanca coast, wine production, services and administration. It exports wine, olive oil, and fruit, and has light industries, including food-processing, leather, textiles, and pottery. turrones (torrons in Catalan) a honey and almond nougatis a food specialty of Alicante.
The city has regular ferry services to the Balearic Islands, and an international airport is nearby. It is strongly fortified, with a spacious harbor. Amongst the most notable features of the city is its castle, the “Castillo de Santa Barbara”, which sits high above the city upon a cliff. The most important festival, the Bonfires of Saint John, takes place at the time of the summer solstice, and they are declared of international touristic interest. Another well-known festival is Moros y Cristianos in any quarter of the city, such as Altozano or Saint Blase.
The city is the headquarters of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market.
Related Travel Information
Benidorm is a coastal town located in the comarca of La Marina Baixa, in the province of Alicante, Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. According to the 2002 census, Benidorm has a permanent population of 61,352 inhabitants, ranking as the fifth most populous city in Alicante province, although the population exceeds half a million in the summer, since it is one of the most important holiday resorts in Spain. It has an area of 38.5 km2 and a population density of 1,593.56 inhab/km2.
Until the tourist industry began in the 1960s, Benidorm was a small fishing village. Today it stands out for
Altea is a coastal town located in the province of Alicante, Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 34.4 km2 and, according to the 2002 census, a total population of 17,608 inhabitants.
At present, the more important economic factor of Altea is tourism, which started to grow in the 50s because of its good weather, beaches and the beauty of its streets.
The town was settled by Iberians and Romans. In 1244 it was reconquered by James I of Aragon. One of its places of tourist interest is the church of La Mare de Déu del Consol, easily identifiable
Torrevieja (Torrevella de la Mata, in valencian) is a seaside city located in the south of the Land of Valencia, Spain, about 30 miles south of Alicante city. It was originally a fishing village but in recent years has hugely expanded due to the tourist industry. This includes both a strong contingent of Germans and British, many of whom are there all the year round, and many Spanish tourists who have a second holiday home in the city. There has been ETA activity here due to the large number of Basque people who holiday here. In August the city expands
Elda is a city located in the province of Alicante, Spain. It has an area of 45.8 km2 and, according to the 2002 census, a total population of 54,086 inhabitants, ranking as the 7th most populous city in the province. Elda joins together with the town of Petrer to form a conurbation with over 85,000 inhabitants. The river Vinalopó flows through the urban area of Elda.
Elda is famous for its footwear industry, specialy for women. Some places of tourist interest in Elda are the Footwear Museum, the Archeological Museum, the Torre del Homenaje del castillo (a tower dated from the
Mataró (Latin Iluro) is the capital of the comarca of Maresme, in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is located by the Mediterranean Sea. Population 102,018 (1996).
The first railway in Spain was the line Barcelona - Mataró opened in 1848, lead by the Catalan businessman Miquel Biada, born in Mataró.
