The Provinces of Spain
BADAJOZ being the largest province in Spain has a varied countryside with plains around the Guadiana and mountain areas around the Sierra Morena. For the tourist there is plenty of hunting deer, wild boar, partridge, turtledove, rabbit, etc. together with fishing for pike, barbel, tench etc. Water skiing and sailing are also available. with regattas being held in the Orellana Reservoir. Agriculture is the main source of income with only a few industrial centres here. Many of the towns are of historical interest such as, Mérida, Zafra, Almendralejo, etc. and theatrical performances take place in the Roman Theatre in Mérida. Popular dishes are fried breadcrumbs, lamb stew, partridge, ham, sausage, with wines from Almendralejo, Zafra, Medellin, Burguillos del Cerro, which are excellent.
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In the centre of the western Mediterranean are the BALEARIC ISLANDS which offers a good climate with average temperature in winter of 14ºC. Small game shooting, offshore and deep sea fishing are all available on the islands. Mallorca one of the largest islands, capital Palma, is popular for its Gothic architecture of the cathedral, the Lonja, the Bellver Castle and the church of San Francisco. Menorca, capital Mahón, is famous for its prehistoric monuments. Ibiza with its walled capital and Formentera with beautiful beaches. Several sports are available including golf and tennis, the cuisine and folklore of each of these islands is entirely different.
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The province of CATALONIA has as its capital Barcelona situated in the north eastern part of Spain, with three geographical areas. The beaches along the Mediterranean extend from the northern town of Malgrat de Mar to Cubellas in the south. Tourist centres can be found in Calella de la Costa, Cabecera del Maresma, Arenys de Mar, Castelldefels and Sitges. BARCELONA is the second largest city in Spain with a cultural and commercial life only comparable with the largest European cities. The interior of the province runs from the mountains of Montseny and the region of Osona to the Valleys of Llobregat, l'Anoia and Foix, and has large industrial Centres such as Sabadell, Tarrassa, Manresa and Igualada with lots of history attached to it.
Bergueda can be found on the pre-Pyrenean area which borders on the Cadi Mountain Range and d'Ensisa. This is an area of reservoirs and high mountains with a few skiing resorts such as Rasos de Peguera, and the countryside is beautiful around Pedraforca, Coll de Pal, Puigllansada, Castellar de Nung and Balsareny. The climate of the province is moderate in the first two zones due to the Mediterranean, and protected in the Berguedá due to the large pre-Pyrenean mountains which shelter it from the northern currents. This area produces wheat and fruit along with the vineyards where wines are made in such places as Alella and Penedés including the best sparkling wines in Spain. The end of September celebrates the festivities of Our Lady of Mercy as well as other fiestas - San Jorge in April and Visperas de San Juan in June and Barcelona folklore. Catalonia's special dishes are shellfish prepared with a spicy sauce and Catalan sausage, but Vich is also famous for its sausages.
Tourists may also be interested in the monuments and museums, the Gothic area and the large parks which surround the city. Situated between the head waters of the rivers Ebro and Duero is the province of Burgos which is on the north eastern side of the Iberian peninsula.The green valleys of the north and the fertile Ribera del Duero are in contrast to the plains covered with grain fields which characterise the landscape. War like silhouettes of the castles and old monasteries of Santo Domingo de Silos can also be seen. Throughout the countryside are the towns of Miranda de Ebro, Aranda de Duero with the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, Briviesca, and many other places of interest for the visitor. The capital of the province has interesting sights such as the Miraflores Charterhouse and Les Huelgas Monastery.
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BURGOS is located on the crossroads which lead to Madrid, Portugal and the French border. The cuisine of this city offers famous dishes such as blood sausage, roast lamb, fresh water crab salad, fresh cheese as well as meat dishes. Red sparkling wines are very palatable and not too strong. Traditional Castilian folklore can be seen at the patron saint festivities.Known as the Upper Extremadura.
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CACERES has a continental climate with high summer temperatures and mild winters with beautiful landscapes and mountains.
The Montfragüe Nature Park is of special as the province has many nature areas, e.g. La Vera for trout fishing and popular architecture with good vegetation which can be found in the surrounding area of Yuste Monastery, Chestnut and cherry trees in El Valle, Villuercas is a very dry zone where wild boar roam and where the historic town of Guadalupe and its monastery can be found, pine forests and mountains can be seen in Las Hurdes. Caceres the historic capital is reminiscent of immortal heroic deeds when visited, also the palaces, townhouses, churches and towers are all worth seeing. The province also offers handicrafts, folklore and cuisine in great variety.
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CADIZ is located in the southernmost part of Spain opposite Algeciras with the Straits of Gibraltar separating it from Africa. The coast with its fine golden sand is worth a visit from the tourist who can find also such busy places as Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Puerto de Santa Maria famous for its wines, Chiclana known for its white wines and the fishing villages of Conil and Barbate. Gibraltar countryside is considered to be a land of castles, grazing lands and meadows. La Campiña de Jerez is a fertile productive land famous for its wines and race horses. Whitewashed towns and towers overlooking green valleys lies La Serrania.
Ubrique has become famous all over the world for its leatherwork. Cadiz is a maritime city characterised by its clear sky and mild weather and beautiful beaches, also its typical city life with the Cathedral, Fine Arts Museum and Archaeological Museum. The ports of Cadiz and Algeciras are regularly serviced by boats coming from the Canary Islands and Latin America, and also has a service which connects the city with Puerto de Santa Maria. Yacht clubs are also to be found in the area. A motorway between Cadiz and Seville. South of the city Malaga can be reached by way of Algeciras and the Jerez Airport puts the province in touch with Spain's most important cities.
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The climate in CANTABRIA is mildand humid with temperatures ranging from 7 to 23ºC. Along the coast you will find the towns of Castro-Urdiales with its Gothic Church of Santa Maria, Laredo with its great beach and well conserved Puebla Vieja, Santoña is an important fishing port with Berria beach nearby. Also the beaches of Noja, Isla, Ajo, Somo and Suances. Excellent ecclesiastical and cicil architecture can be found in Comillas and San Vicente de la Barquera along with beautiful beaches. Inland, there are such areas as Liébana known as the cradle of the Reconquest, the foothills of the Picos de Europa, Cabuérniga in the Saja National Park, with villages such as Bárcena Mayor and Carmona in which time seems to have stood still.
Typical villages of the Pas Valley, Valdeiguña and Campóo with their great mansions, winter sports centre and the Ebro reservoir, Soba with its deep valleys of Ampuero and Ramales. Santander the capital, has a fine open bay, a busy port, ferry station and an excellent airport. Nearby there are twelve different beaches some protected by the bay or in coves, others facing out to the open sea. In the town the Menéndez Pelayo International University, a casino in the setting of the Sardinero, the marina and excellent sport facilities.
Santillana del Mar, 26 km. away, with its medieval streets and houses together with the prehistoric caves of Altamira. Puente Viesgo, 29km from the capital, is the site of the prehistoric caves of Las Monedas, El Castillo and La Paslega. Special mention must be made of the cave churches of Santa Maria de Valverde, Cadalso and Arroyuelos, the Mozarabic churches of Santa Maria de Lebeña and San Roman de Moroso and the Romansque architecture of the Collegiate churches of Santillana del Mar, Bareyo, Cervates and Castañeda, as well as those of Yermo and Piasca, with a total of 50 such sites.
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CASTELLON DE LA PLANA is the northernmost of the provinces of Valencia bordered in the east by the shores of the Mediterranean. The climate is temperate with little rainfall. The special feature of its rugged interior is the great tableland of the Maestrazgo and the giant pyramid of Peñagolosa. 120km of coastline consist of a number of beaches of sand and rocky sectors which are the most characteristic feature of Castellón coast. To the north Castellón has the very beautiful peninsula of Peñiscola, once the residence of Papa Lune. Very popular with the visitor is Peniscola, Burriana, Benicasim, Oropesa, etc. which lie on the coast with lovely beaches forming part of the orange blossom coast.
Popular towns are Morella, Lucena del Cid, Segorbe and Alcora. Castellon is rich in orange groves, orchards, vineyards and olive groves, and the capital itself Alcora, Ribensalbes and Onda are chiefly known for their tile and general pottery industry. The most popular fiestas are those of La Magdalena and associated with the pilgrimage to the Cerro de la Ermita. Castellón lies close to the sea and is a thriving modern centre with fine buildings such as the Town Hall, the Bell Tower, the co-Cathedral of Santa Maria which has been rebuilt and the Church of San Agustin. Cuisine includes excellent fish dishes, first class shellfish, giant prawns, field mushrooms, cured beef and cottage cheese.
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Situated on the northern edge of Africa, approx. 23km from the Iberian Coast, lies the city of CEUTA. Its proximinity and stragetic position to the Spanish ports makes it an ideal trading post between Europe and Africa. Its status as a duty free port has made it a tourist spot which has converted Ceuta into the second busiest of all the Spanish ports in terms of passenger traffic. There are numerous beaches here to enjoy the mild climate during the greater part of the year. In the heart of the city can be found the Plaza de Africa where the sanctuary of the Virgin of Africa, the Cathedral and the Town Hall can be seen. Near the square there is the Royal Rampart, the maritime dyke and the Plaza de Armas, a complex of fortifications and defences built by the Portoguese.
Nearby is the Archaeological Hall. From the San Antonio and Isabel ll vantage points you have a magnificent view of the Strait of Gibraltar and Spanish and Moroccan coasts. Apart from the sea link with Algeciras there is a regular connection by sea with Melilla. By road there are regular bus services linking the city with the main Moroccan towns as well as an overland bus route to Melilla.
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To the south of Castile and the east of La Mancha lies CIUDAD REAL and it is necessary to pass through this province if you are to reach Andalucia from central Spain. Ciudad Real extends from the Toledo mountains in the north to the Sierra Morena in the south. Hunting is one of its main sources of wealth and an important tourist attraction. The cities of Almagro, Villanueva de los Infantes and San Carlos del Valle are popular for their history and monuments. Wines in the province are excellent and have the original labels of La Mancha and Valdepeñas. Ciudad Real the capital city has monuments including the late Gothic Cathedral with a huge nave, the Church of San Pedro is a national monument, the Toledo Gate and the museum. It is also central during the hunting season. Fine fishing can also be had in the rivers of the province. Of ecological importance are the Ruidera Lagoons and so called Tablas de Daimiel.
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The city of CORDOBA ,capital of the province of Cordoba has a number of important monuments, the Mosque, the Alcazar of the Catholic Monarchs with its gardens, the Synagogue with its fine Mudejar plaster work, ruins of the Medina Azahara an example of Moslem military and civil architecture as well as the old Jewish quarter. Cordoba has two different kinds of terrain, the very fertile countryside around the river and the imposing Sierra Morena with its mineral wealth. Flamenco dancing and singing is very popular here. Local dishes include fried fish, fried breadcrumbs, chicken in pepitoria sauce, Arab desserts, and wines from Montilla and Moriles.
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