The Provinces of Spain
SORIA is formed by the upper region of the valley of the Duero River which crosses its way towards the Atlantic. Geographically it is divided into three areas, the northern one, uneven and mountainous, with the pine forest and prairie. The central area, flatter and of less elevation, mostly agriculture and cereal growing and the southern aspect with a vast plain and slopes. Around the Cuenca del Pozo Reservoir in the northern part of the province, there are lovely pine villages, typical of the architecture of this region such as Vinuesa, Covaleda, Navaleno and other villages. Topping this zone is the Urbion Peak with an altitude of 2,228m, at the foot of which is the Black Lagoon probably the most interesting sight in Soria.
Some of the most interesting towns are San Esteban de Gormaz, Almazán, Agreda, Berlanga de Duero, Calatañazor and Burgo de Osma. To the south Santa Maria de Huerta has a magnificent Monastery and the historical village of Medinaceli. The majority of the province is suitable for hunting and the most popular of big game are deer or stag, the roe deer and the wild boar. Small game is also plentiful especially the red partridge, rabbit and hare.
There are plenty of opportunities for trout fishing which is very popular. In the city capital you will find plenty of interesting historical sites such as, the Romanesque Churches of San Juan de Rabanera and Santo Domingo, the Cloister of the Cathedral of San Pedro, San Juan de Duero ancient Monastery of the Knights Templar, and the Hermitage of San Saturio patron saint of the city. An example of civil architecture is the Palace of the Counts of Gomara, a jewel in the Renaissance style, and the Numantia Museum contains the finds from the ancient Celtiberian fortification of Numantia.
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TARRAGONA is the southernmost of the Catalonian provinces, located on the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Spain. 212km. of coastline run from Cunit to the Genia River with beautiful beaches such as, Altafulla, Torredembarra, Comarruga, Calafell, Cambria, Hospitalet and San Carlos de la Rapita. Historical towns, agricultural and industrial centres can be found inland in such places as Reus, Valls and Tortosa. Tourists should find of interest, the Cistercian Monasteries of Poblet and Santa Creus, the Tower of the Scipios beside the Via Augusta, the aqueduct possibly dating from the time of the Trajan, the Arch of Bará dating from the second century and the Centcellos Mausoleum, etc.
Tarragona has numerous historical remains from this same age such as, the walls, the Praetorium, the Forum, amphitheatre and circus. Also of interest to the tourist is the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral, the Archaeological Museum installed next to the Tower of Praetorium, and 1km. from the city in the ancient Necropolis is the Paleo-Christian Museum with an interesting collection of burial articles from the 3rd to the 5th century.A marine and fishing province, Tarragona offers rich cuisine with local specialities such as Romesco and Calcotada, and a wide variety of wines especially those from Tarragona and Priorato.
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TERUEL with 15,000 sq.km. area which ranges from the northern plain to the sierras of Javalambre and Maestrazgo with extreme weather conditions in winter and summers very favourable. The province produces cereals, almonds, grapes, olives along with a large amount of lignite and iron ore. The rivers Tajo. Júcar, Guadalaviar, Jiloca, Mijares etc. begin in Teruel, and the uneven terrain of the province has created reservoirs which are plentiful with trout. Game is also obtainable for the hunters with wild boar, rabbit, hare, red partridge, quail, and a reserve has been set aside for the wild mountain goat in the Beceite mountains. Big game hunting also exists in Albarracin sierra. There are numerous ski resorts in sierra Gúidar-El Villarejo and Javalambre. Towns of importance in the province are Alcañiz, Albarracin an historical artistic centre, Montalbán, Aliaga, Calamocha, etc. where the visitor can view the architecture of the various buildings.
The Iberian towns of Azaila and Calaceite are also worth a visit to see the prehistoric cave paintings. Teruel is considered to be the capital of Mudejar art, with the San Martin, El Salvador and San Pedro towers, the Cathedral with its magnificent Gothic-Mudéjar ceilings, walls and doors and the Archaeological and Ethnological Museums. Famous also is the Mausoleum of the Lovers which encloses the incorrupt bodies of Diego and Isabel, and the Fiesta of Love is held in their honour during the first part of July. A variety of dishes popular in the province are ham, cured meats, Tronchón cheeses, lamb, and typical dishes also include garlic, fried breadcrumbs, lean meat with tomatoes and pickled game.
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The province of TOLEDO lies to the south of Madrid with a population of 510,000 and is bounded to the north by the Gredos mountains and to the south by those of Toledo with the plain between them through which the River Tagus flows. Toledo with its beautiful buildings and past history stands on a hill around which the river makes a sharp bend. The city's annual festival takes place in June on Corpus Christi Day when a procession passes through the streets, and the celebrations include an opportunity of tasting the Toledo cooking, with Partridge and marzipan a sweet of Moorish origin very much enjoyed.
Talavera de la Reina and Lagartera, villages near Estremadura are famous for their ceramics and beautiful regional costumes. Llescas between Madrid and Toledo has an interesting collection of pictures by El Greco. Excellent wines can be found in the eastern part of the province in the Toledan sector of La Mancha. Other towns in this area are Ocaña, Quintanar and El Toboso.
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VALENCIA by the Mediterranean Sea is surrounded by plains and mountains and has a typical Mediterranean climate with a very dry summer which has led to irrigated farmlands producing world famous crops of oranges and rice. Two marked areas make up Valencia, the coastline and the mountains. Such areas along the coast can be found at Camp de Morvedre and Huerta with extensive plains covered with orchard lands and orange groves. Also here you will find tourist centres such as Sagunto and the beaches of Pinedo, El Saler and El Perellonet. Further south are the Ribera Baja and the Salfor or Huerta de Gandia areas with the towns of Sueca, Cullers, Gandia with many lovely beaches.
In Gandia you will see Ducal Palace, the church of Santa Maria and Convent de Santa Clara and a number of camping sites can be found in Oliva. Natural areas in the interior are Rincón de Ademuz which is anchored between Cuence and Teruel and offers excellent opportunities for fishing and hunting, the mountains popular with tourists, the Campo de Turia with beautiful summer resorts, Altiplanicle de Requena and Utiel are a continuation of the Castilian tableland and grape growing region, the Ayora Valley with the Muela de Cortes national reserve and interesting centres like the Araña Cave in Bicorp with its prehistoric paintings, Játiva with its castle and the churches of Nuestra Señora de la Seo and San Felix, Mogente with the archaeological remains of the Iberian city of La Bastida and the Necropolis of the Corral de Saus in Onteniente and Bocairente are the famous Moors and Christians festivities. Valencia capital of the province is a city with many administration services and a very old commercial centre. Among its places of interest are La Lonja, the Cathedral, the Palace and the ancient gates of the city as well as a variety of museums and gardens.
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