Benabarre

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Benabarre (Aragonese: Benabarri, Catalan: Benavarri) is a town in the Aragonese county of Ribagorza, in the province of Huesca, Spain.

Traditionally, Benabarre was the capital of the historic County of Ribagorza, which was more expansive in territory than today, and included the comarca of Alta Ribagorça, now in the province of Lerida, Catalonia.

It was during the Spanish War of Independence, from 1808-1814, that the French Napoleonic troops, in retaliation, decided to make Graus the temporary capital of the county. Graus' population since that time has increased such that it is the largest town in Ribagorza and has consequently evolved into the role of administrative county seat. Despite this, Benabarre continues to be a significant historical and cultural center of attraction.

[edit] Demographics

In 1991, Benabarre's population was at 1,233, and has since declined to 1,112, as of 2004.

[edit] Language

Situated within the geo-linguistic area of La Franja, Benabarre's local Aragonese dialect of Ribagorçan is spoken, and shares features with Catalan.