Torrevieja
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Torrevieja | |||||
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| Location | |||||
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| Coordinates : Time zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer : CEST (GMT +2) |
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| General information | |||||
| Native name | Torrevella (Valencian) | ||||
| Spanish name | Torrevieja | ||||
| Postal code | 03181 to 03187 | ||||
| Area code | +34 (Spain) + 965 or 966 (Alicante) | ||||
| Administration | |||||
| Country | Spain | ||||
| Autonomous Community | Valencian Community | ||||
| Province | Alicante | ||||
| Comarca | Baix Segura | ||||
| Mayor | Pedro Hernández Mateo (Partido Popular) | ||||
| Geography | |||||
| Land Area | 71 km² | ||||
| Altitude | 7 m AMSL | ||||
| Population | |||||
| Population | 103,158 (2008) | ||||
| Density | 703 hab./km² (2005) | ||||
Torrevieja in Spanish or Torrevella in Valencian is a seaside city and municipality located on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante, in south-eastern Spain.
Torrevieja lies about 30 miles south of the city of Alicante and has a population of 84,348 (2005). Torrevieja was originally a salt-mining and fishing village as it is located between the sea and two large salt lakes (Las Salinas), which give Torrevieja a healthy micro climate.
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[edit] History
Until 1802, Torrevieja existed only as an ancient guard tower, which gave the town its name (Torre Vieja (Spanish) means Old Tower) and some labourers' cottages. But in 1803, Charles IV authorized the movement of the salt mines from La Mata to the town itself and allowed the construction of dwellings there. In 1829, the town was totally destroyed by an earthquake but the mines were soon reconstructed and re-opened. In 1931, Alfonso XIII gave Torrevieja city status by special grant. During this period, there was also a growing market for flax, hemp and cotton.
In the 19th Century, the salt was mainly shipped from the town by Swedish and Dutch ships. At the time, there was only limited demand from other regions of Spain, mainly Galicia and to a lesser extent, Valencia. Although by the dawn of the 20th Century, a quarter of all the salt mined in Torrevieja, was sold in Spain itself and the rest exported was to foreign markets. Today, it is still an important industry in Torrevieja. You can visit the Museum of Sea and Salt.
[edit] Recent
In recent years the local economy has hugely expanded due to the tourist industry. This includes both a strong contingent of British, Germans and Scandinavians, many of whom live there all the year round, and Spanish tourists who have a holiday home in the city. In 2004 Torrevieja had the largest number of British residents of all the Spanish municipalities (approx. 7,180). The city is a conservative stronghold, with the Partido Popular holding 15 seats in the local assembly.
The world-famous Habaneras festival for choral groups is held every August, when the city population expands roughly tenfold, like many other towns along the Costa Blanca.
[edit] Population
The INE (Spanish Census) of 2005 showed that the city had 84,838 residents, and the ayuntamiento (district council area) had 95,531 residents. The most prominent nationalities in the area were:
| Nationality | Percentage | Nationality | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish | 47.80 | Colombian | 2.58 | |
| British | 13.30 | Ukrainian | 2.24 | |
| German | 5.15 | Moroccan | 2.17 | |
| Swedish | 3.14 | Norwegian | 2.17 | |
| Russian | 2.73 | Other | 13.30 |
| 1897 | 1910 | 1930 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2004 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,833 | 8,961 | 8,754 | 8,935 | 9,234 | 9,726 | 12,314 | 25,014 | 35,998 | 50,953 | 75,530 | 84,348 |
[edit] Places of Interest
- Iglesia Arciprestal de la Inmaculada Concepción - Originally erected in 1789 and then reconstructed in 1844, using stones reclaimed from the original Torre Vieja, (Old Tower).
- Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario (La Mata), constructed in 1896.
- Paseo de la Dique de Levante
- Parque de las Naciones or The Park of the Nations
- Museo del Mar y de la Sal (Sea and Salt Museum)
- Submarine S61 Delfin
- Las Salinas - The salt lakes to the west of the city.
- The Market
- Centro Habaneras - A semi-outdoor shopping mall.
- Paraje Natural Municipal Molino Del Agua - A natural park.
- Old Railway Station
- Water Fountains
- Club Skala
[edit] External links
- This is Torrevieja (English)
- TORREVIEJA.COM Tourism Website of Torrevieja (English)
- Information Website For Torrevieja (English)
- Official Website of Torrevieja (Spanish)
- Torrevieja Travel Guide in english (English)
- Torrevieja travel guide from Wikitravel
- Internet Web-Guide of Torrevieja (English)
- This is Spain (English)
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