Jaén, Spain

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Jaen Cathedral
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Jaen Cathedral
Jaen location
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Jaen location

Jaén is a city in south-central Spain,the name is probably derived from the arabic word Jayyan, crossroads of caravans. The capital of the province of Jaén in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is the administrative and industrial centre for the province. Industrial establishments in the city include chemical works, tanneries, distilleries, cookies factories and textile factories. The occupation of the zone is testified from the age of the Copper. During the Iberian period it was an outstanding center, that arrived to be occupied by the Carthaginians. During the second Punic war, Escipión took the city. Under the Roman dominion, the city, not very extensive, had an economy based on the oil and the wheat as they testify the numerous villas of his environs. Under the Flavian (69-96) it received the Latin right, and she was well-known like Municipality Flavio Aurgitano or Aurgi. After the Moorish invasion of Spain during the 8th century, the city, then known as Yayyan, was developed as a trade centre. Remains of the Moorish fortifications and citadel still stand. Jaén is the seat of a Roman Catholic bishopric. Among the many points of interest is the Renaissance style cathedral, begun in 1532 and completed in the 18th century. Its population is 117.540 (2006), about 1/6 of the population of the province. Other important landmarks are the Castle, that can be seen from any point of the city, and the Arab Baths, the most significant remnants of the Moorish era of Andalusia.

Jaén is also known as the World Capital of Olive oil, because it's the biggest producer of this liquid gold (as the locals refer to it).

The football team of the city is Real Jaén and they play in the new Estadio de la Victoria.