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The Provinces of Spain

The climate of MURCIA, which lies in the south east of Spain by the Mediterranean, is hot in summer and mild in winter. Irrigation for the provinces is obtained from the Segura River and its tributaries, the Murdo and the Sangonera, which provides for a wealth of gardens and orchards, especially citrus fruits. On leaving the areas around these rivers the countryside becomes more desert like, but crops are extensive in these dry lands. Olive groves and vineyards are found in the north around Yecia and Jumilla a natural continuation of what is grown in La Mancha. Gradually the land becomes like a desert with such vegetation as palm trees and prickly pears. The northwest part of the province is a mountain area with cool climate and lovely landscapes which include the towns of Calasparra, Moratalla and Caravaca full of old mansions.
Further south is Lorca with its old historical buildings and coat of arms. Aledo also should be included in a visit found in the area around Espuña Sierra which is a beautiful National Park and a medieval castle with a well preserved keep. Of interest to the tourist is the town of Mula with the castle of the Marquis of Velez dating from the 15th century, and other castles can be found in Caravaca, Aguilas, Alhama, etc. The province has 170km of coastline which begins at the Mar Menor a natural 200 sq. km salt water lake ideal for winter sports and with its own special fish species. The best beaches can be found in La Manga, Mazarrón and Aguilas. The most important port along the coast is that of Cartagena, an old historical city with naval base and thriving industry, and also Aguilas and Portman.
Murcia is a modern city surrounded by gardens and numerous small towns which are linked by a rather complicated network of local roads. Innumerable churches in the capital are the Baroque, Rococo or Churrigueresque style and all with stucco designs in the interior which is very much in the character of Murcia architecture. Special places of interest is the Cathedral, the Salzillo Museum and Archaeological Museum. The Holy Week festivities are amongst the most popular celebrations with the processions of Cartagena, Lorca and Murcia as the best. The Murcia procession has the famous platforms bearing sculptured scenes from the Passion produced by the image maker Salzillo. Spring fiestas such as the Bando de la Huerta and Entierro de la Sardina are also well worth visiting. Worth mentioning are Murcia's special dishes such as fish with rice in a cauldron, mullet, meat pies and hare and fowl cold soups.

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In the western area of the Pyrenean foothils on the frontier of France, can be found the province of NAVARRA with a varied countryside ranging from the Alpine valleys of Roncal, Salazar and Aezcoa to the desert plains of the Bardenas Reales, including the gentle slopes of the Baztán and Ulzama and the fertile lands of the river valleys. A visit to this is well worth while as it includes shooting, salmon and trout fishing, mountain climbing and other sports, also the Navarra food is excellent including trout Navarra style, ajoarriero (cod, eggs and garlic), roast pig, lamb with tomatoes and peppers, vegetable stew and the wines from the local vineyards.
Romanesque architecture is to be found all over the province as the two main routes for pilgrims travelling to the tomb of St. James came together in this province. Cities of particular interest are Tudela with its 12/13th century cathedral, Estella with numerous palaces and churches, Tafalla with the Church of Santa Maria, Olite was the court of Charles the Noble and the Prince of Viana where you can see the castle cum palace of the Navarrese monarchs, Sangüesa has the Church of Santa Maria, Javier with the castle where San Francisco was born, Roncesvalles with its famous Royal Collegiate Church, Puente la Reina and Viana are major pilgrim stopovers, and the Baroque city of Cascante with the Basilica of Our Lady of El Romero and Corella. The monasteries of Leyre, Iranzu, Irache, Fitero and La Oliva are also worth a visit.
Pamplona, the capital of this old Pyrean kingdom lies in the foothills of the mountains on the banks of the Arga River. The climate is cold and rainy in winter and mild throughout the remainder of the year. Among its most impressive buildings are the Cathedral with a 14 century cloister, the Gothic Church of San Cernin, Church of San Nicolás 13th century, Church of San Lorenzo with its famous San Fermin Chapel, Navarra Museum, the Diocesan Museum, the Citadel and old ramparts. The San Fermin festivities held from 6th to 14th July with typical bull drives are world famous. This is linked by a motorway with Saragossa, Lérida and Barcelona as well as with the Mediterranean coast down to Alicante. Railway connections to Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Saragossa and Oviedo are available, and also regular flights from the airport to Madrid and Barcelona.

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The Galician province of ORENSE enters into the interior of the peninsula and is bordered by Portugal in the south. Its irregular terrain ranges from tall granite formations to deep patches of pastureland and its rich and colourful valleys cultivate vineyards which produce the famous Ribeiro wine. Trout can be fished in the rivers of the province and small game hunting can also be enjoyed in the mountains. Although Orense has no coastline, water sports are available in the 19 reservoirs of the province which offer a total of 400sq.km. of navigablewaters. Romanesque is the main architectural style among the historical buildings in Orense, granite being the main building material. Of interest to the visitor are the monasteries of Osera, San Esteban de Ribas del Sil along the Sacred Shore or San Rosendo de Celanova in the lands of Curros Enriquez.
Castles, country manors and towers are frequently seen among the Orense countryside. Famous Spas, for their therepeutic properties, are to be found in Verin, Carballiño, Ribadevia, El Barco de Valdeorras, etc. The capital, a centre of railway and road communications, links Orensa with most important cities in Galicia and Spain and is known for its religious, monumental and cultural trilogy, the Santo Cristo, the Roman Bridge and the Burgas Fountain which spouts boiling water. The two distinct parts of the city are the old part with places such as the Cathedral with its portico of sculptured pieces, churches, historical corners and picturesque streets and the modern part with tall buildings and straight wide streets. Local dishes are very rich indeed such as meatpies, baby eels, trout, stew or shellfish. These of course should be accompanied with the Ribeiro wines, sparkling sines, dry wines from the Verin Valley, Godello from Barco de Valdeorras and not forgetting the Queimada.

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In the northern part of Spain lies the Castilian province of PALENCIA with its geographical characteristics situated in the Duero river basin, a flat countryside which only varies to the north in the foothills of the Cantabrian mountains with peaks such as Peña Prieta 2,536m above sea level and Curavacas 2,520m. It should be remembered Palencia has a large number of Romanesque Churches such as, San Martin de Frómista, Santa Maria la Blanca in Vallacázar de Siega, the Church of Santiago in Carrión de los Condes, cloisters of the Monastery of San Andrés de Arroyo and Santa Maria la Real in Aguilar de Campóo. Also interesting is the Visigothic Basilica of San Juan de Baños in Baños de Cerrato and the Parish Museum of Santa Eulalia in Paredes de Nava. Examples of popular folklore such as the dance groups and the typical fiestas can also be enjoyed.
Situated in a fertile valley is the capital of the province irrigated by the Carrión River, its streets and corners show interesting architecture with the Cathedral, Santa Clare Monastery, San Miguel Church, San Pablo and SanFrancisco or the Museums of Architecture and Sacred Art. A road and railway system connects the capital with its neighbouring provincial capitals. The cuisine of Palencia consists of typical Castilian dishes such as, young roast lamb, river crab, trout, partridge , quail and porridge.

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LAS PALMAS is a province made up of the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and others, situated in the Atlantic Ocean in a subtropical latitude which contributes to mild temperatures throughout the year. The island of Gran Canaria where the capital is situated has a commercial and cosmopolitan character in the development of the tourist industry and is considered to be the first in Spain to concentrate on the three townships of Las Palmas, San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogén where the beaches can be found.All this is close to the beauty of the local countryside with peaks like Roque Nuble and Bentayga with cliff areas in the north and west of the island.
The capital city has a fine cathedral which was begun in 1497, also the Canary Island Museum, Columbus House and Luz Castle and many more places of interest. Lanzarote is the most northern of the Canary Islands which is famous for the strange beauty of its volcanic landscape of Timanfaya mountain mass, the scene of many eruptions. Most of the hotels are situated in Arrecife, capital of the island. Two nature attractions worth seeing here are Jameos del Agua and the Cueve de los Verdes. The second largest island is Fuerteventura with extensive plains, very little vegetation and large beaches. Puerto de Rosario, the capital, and along the beaches of Jandia and Corralejo can be found most of the hotels where a quiet and peaceful atmosphere can be enjoyed in the sunshine. Fishing in the clear waters is one of the main attractions for the visitor.

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