Moratalla, Murcia

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Moratalla (38°11′N 1°53′W) is a small town, center of a large municipality (961 km²) of the same name in southeastern Spain, belonging to the Autonomous Community of Murcia. Population of Moratalla is 8 473 as of January 1, 2005 (some 5 900 in the town of Moratalla itself and the rest in districts such as Benizar or El Sabinar).

Main economic resources are tourism and agriculture (apricots, almonds, olives and olive oil, wood, barley).

It is chiefly a mountainous and comparatively cool territory (with regard to the region), being snow frequent in the highest zones (Revolcadores, 2 015 m) and cold valleys (Campo de San Juan, El Sabinar). It is crossed by minor rivers (Alhárabe, Benamor) which flow into the Segura. There is a main reservoir of the Segura at El Cenajo. Main representatives of the local fauna are wild boars, Spanish Ibex, short-toed eagles and moorish turtles. Wide portions of the municipality are protected in ZEPA (SPA) or LIC areas.

[edit] Holy Week in Moratalla

During the Holy Week there is a traditional tamborada, i. e. a collective drumming, which can last the day long. In southern Spain, tamboradas are characteristic of Moratalla as well as of Mula (in Murcia), Hellín and Tobarra (in Albacete). A singularity of Moratalla consists of every tamborista (drummer) being dressed in distinct, hand-made robes. Drums are also traditionally hand-made.

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