Valencian Community

Valencian Community
Name	Valencian Community
Native name	Comunitat Valenciana (Valencian), Comunidad Valenciana (Spanish)
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Valencia
Largest city	Valencia
Official languages	Valencian and Spanish
Government type	Devolved government in a constitutional monarchy
Leader title	President
Leader name	Carlos Mazón
Leader title1	Legislature
Leader name1	Corts Valencianes
Area total km2	23,255
Population total	5,188,367
Population as of	2023
Population density km2	auto
Blank name sec1	HDI (2021)
Blank info sec1	0.905
Blank1 name sec1	• Rank
Blank1 info sec1	8th
Iso code	ES-VC

Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located on the eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia, a major cultural and economic hub on the Mediterranean Sea. The territory is officially bilingual, with Valencian and Spanish recognized as co-official languages. It is historically and culturally significant, encompassing the former Kingdom of Valencia and renowned for its vibrant festivals like Las Fallas and its extensive huerta agricultural system.

Geography

The region is bordered by Catalonia to the north, Aragon and Castilla–La Mancha to the west, and Murcia to the south, with a long coastline along the Balearic Sea. Its diverse terrain includes the arid interior plains of Utiel-Requena and Vinalopó, the fertile coastal plains like the Huerta de Valencia, and mountainous systems such as the Iberian System and the Baetic System, including peaks in the Maestrazgo and Marina Alta comarcas. Major rivers include the Júcar, Segura, and Turia, which are crucial for the traditional irrigation networks. Notable natural parks include the Albufera lagoon near Valencia, the Penyal d'Ifac in Calp, and the Font Roja near Alcoi.

History

The area has been inhabited since antiquity, with significant Iberian settlements and later colonisation by Carthaginians and Romans, the latter founding Valentia Edetanorum. After the Visigothic Kingdom, it was conquered by the Umayyad Caliphate, becoming part of Al-Andalus and witnessing the rise of the Taifa of Valencia. The Christian reconquest was completed by James I of Aragon in 1238, establishing the Kingdom of Valencia, which flourished under the Crown of Aragon. The region experienced upheaval during the War of the Spanish Succession, the Peninsular War, and the Spanish Civil War, with significant events like the Battle of Almansa. The modern autonomous community was established by the Statute of Autonomy of the Valencian Community following the Spanish Constitution of 1978.

Government and politics

The region is governed by the Generalitat Valenciana, headquartered in the Palau de la Generalitat Valenciana in Valencia. The legislature is the Corts Valencianes, a unicameral parliament. The president, currently Carlos Mazón of the People's Party, leads the executive council. The territory is divided into three provinces: Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia, each with its own provincial deputation. Major political parties include the People's Party, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, and Compromís. The region's legal framework is defined by the Valencian Statute of Autonomy and the historic Furs of Valencia.

Economy

The economy is diverse, with a strong agricultural sector famous for citrus production, particularly oranges from the Huerta de Valencia, and viniculture in regions like Utiel-Requena and Alicante (DO). Industry is significant in areas such as ceramics in Castellón, footwear in Elche and Elda, and toy manufacturing in Ibi. Tourism is a major pillar, with renowned coastal destinations like Benidorm, Dénia, and the Costa Blanca. The capital, Valencia, is a key service and financial centre, hosting institutions like Bankia and the Valenciaport, one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean. The region is also known for its paella and hosts major trade fairs like Feria de Valencia.

Culture

Cultural identity is strongly expressed through language, with Valencian being a central element, and through unique festivals. The most famous is Las Fallas in Valencia, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, alongside the Misteri d'Elx and the Tribunal de les Aigües de València. The region has a rich literary tradition with authors like Joanot Martorell, writer of Tirant lo Blanch, and Vicente Blasco Ibáñez. Gastronomy is iconic, featuring paella, horchata from Alboraya, and turrón from Jijona. Notable architectural heritage includes the Lonja de la Seda, a World Heritage Site, the City of Arts and Sciences complex, and numerous castles like Xàtiva.

Demographics

With a population exceeding five million, it is the fourth most populous autonomous community in Spain. The population is concentrated along the coast, with major metropolitan areas centred on Valencia, Alicante, and Elche. The interior provinces, particularly Castellón, are less densely populated. The region has experienced significant immigration, with large communities from the United Kingdom, Romania, Morocco, and Latin America settling in areas like the Costa Blanca. Important educational and research institutions include the University of Valencia, the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and the Miguel Hernández University of Elche.

Category:Autonomous communities of Spain