Province of Cáceres

Province of Cáceres
Provincia de Cáceres
Province

Flag
Coat of arms

Map of Spain with Province of Cáceres highlighted
Country Spain
Autonomous community Extremadura
Capital Cáceres
Area
 • Total 19,868 km2 (7,671 sq mi)
Area rank Ranked 2nd
Population (2014)
 • Total 408,703
 • Rank Ranked
 • Density 21/km2 (53/sq mi)
Parliament Cortes Generales
Part of the Roman bridge at Alconétar, Caceres province

The province of Cáceres (pronounced [ˈkaθeɾes]) is a province of western Spain, in the northern part of the autonomous community of Extremadura. It is bordered by the provinces of Salamanca, Ávila, Toledo, and Badajoz in the south, and by Portugal in the west.[1] It was formed a province in 1833. In 1229 Alfonso IX conquered the province from the Moors.[1]

Its capital is the city of Cáceres. Other cities in the province include Plasencia, Navalmoral de la Mata and Trujillo, the birthplace of Francisco Pizarro González. As of 2014, the province had a population of 408,703, of whom a quarter live in the capital.[2] The Tagus river runs through the province.[1]

Geography and Economy

Except the northern and southern parts the whole of the province is plain and fertile area used for agriculture and pig raising. Cereals, tobacco, tomatoes and peppers are some of the most important agricultural products. The water of river Tagus and its tributaries is used for irrigation. The northern and southern parts are mountainous and formed by Central and Toledo mountains.[1] These areas are rich in terms of wildlife and a nature park was created at Monfrague in 1979. Gabriel y Galán dam was made on the Alagón River to fulfill the power demands of the province. Cattle rearing is also an important activity. The province is well known for several important cherry picking regions.[1]

Administrative divisions

The province of Cáceres is divided into 219 municipalities. There are also traditional comarcas in Cáceres Province, like Las Villuercas and Las Hurdes, but these don't have much official recognition. Las Hurdes was one of the poorest regions in Spain's history.[1]

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Cáceres". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "Instituto Nacional de Estadistica" (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 September 2014.

Coordinates: 39°40′N 6°00′W / 39.667°N 6.000°W / 39.667; -6.000

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