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| La Siberia (Spain) | |
|---|---|
| Name | La Siberia |
| Settlement type | Comarca |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Spain |
| Subdivision type1 | Autonomous community |
| Subdivision name1 | Extremadura |
| Subdivision type2 | Province |
| Subdivision name2 | Badajoz |
| Seat type | Capital |
| Seat | Herrera del Duque |
| Area total km2 | 2651 |
| Population total | 27000 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone1 | CET |
| Utc offset1 | +1 |
La Siberia (Spain) La Siberia is a comarca in the province of Badajoz within the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain, noted for its extensive reservoirs, upland plains and low population density. The region centers on municipalities such as Herrera del Duque, Castilblanco, and Talarrubias and lies near the border with Castile-La Mancha and the Portuguese frontier adjacent to Alentejo. Its landscape is shaped by the Guadiana River system, the La Serena Reservoir and the Cíjara Reservoir, which influence local ecology, recreation and irrigation.
La Siberia occupies part of northeastern Badajoz and abuts the provinces of Ciudad Real and Cáceres within Castile-La Mancha and Extremadura. The comarca includes river basins of the Guadiana River, tributaries such as the Zujar River and reservoirs including La Serena Reservoir, Cíjara Reservoir, and Orellana Reservoir. Topography includes the Sierra de Pela and open dehesa plains used for pasture, connecting to landscapes of the Campo de Montiel and the Sierra Morena. Climate classification is Mediterranean with continental influences similar to regions around Extremadura, Andalusia and parts of Castile-La Mancha, affecting hydrology tied to projects like the Tagus-Segura transfer and historical hydraulic works under monarchs such as Isabella I of Castile and institutions like the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana.
Human presence in La Siberia traces to prehistoric cultures attested by local archaeological sites comparable to finds in Cáceres and Mérida, with Roman roads and settlements linking to Emerita Augusta and later Visigothic and Islamic periods associated with the Emirate of Cordoba. During the Reconquista the area was influenced by military orders like the Order of Alcántara and border dynamics with the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Portugal produced fortifications such as castles in Fuenlabrada de los Montes and Castilblanco. In the Early Modern period estates tied to noble houses like the House of Alba and institutions such as ecclesiastical holdings under the Archdiocese of Toledo shaped land tenure, while 19th-century reforms under politicians like Joaquín Costa and events such as the Peninsular War altered demographics and infrastructure. Twentieth-century changes reflect agrarian policies during the Second Spanish Republic, the Spanish Civil War involving factions linked to Francoist Spain, and later development projects under institutions including the Spanish National Institute of Agricultural Reform and regional bodies in Extremadura.
Population density in La Siberia is low relative to urban centers such as Badajoz (city), Mérida, and Seville, consistent with trends in interior provinces like Soria and Teruel. Municipalities including Herrera del Duque, Talarrubias, Castilblanco, Siruela and Helechosa de los Montes exhibit aging populations and rural depopulation patterns studied by researchers at universities such as the University of Extremadura and policy bodies like the European Commission and the Spanish Ministry of Territorial Policy. Migration flows toward urban labor markets in Madrid, Seville, and Badajoz (city) contrast with seasonal return movements tied to festivals of parishes under dioceses such as the Diocese of Coria-Cáceres.
Agriculture in La Siberia revolves around extensive livestock and dehesa systems similar to those in Sierra de Gata and Las Hurdes, with cattle, sheep and Iberian pig production integrated into value chains reaching markets in Seville and Madrid. Crops include rainfed cereals and sunflowers as in Campiña Sur (Badajoz), while irrigation from reservoirs supports horticulture linked to cooperatives and organisations such as the José Antonio Primo de Rivera-era institutions transformed by later agricultural policy under the Common Agricultural Policy. Forestry resources, hunting estates and aquaculture in reservoirs contribute to income and tourism tied to operators in Extremadura Tourism and conservation programs of the European Union. Economic development initiatives involve provincial authorities of Badajoz and supranational funds such as the European Regional Development Fund.
Reservoirs like La Serena Reservoir and Cíjara Reservoir create wetland habitats important for birds recorded by organisations like SEO/BirdLife and connect to the Guadiana River Basin conservation priorities managed by the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana. Protected designations include zones within the Natura 2000 network and proximities to natural areas comparable to the Monfragüe National Park and Sierra de San Pedro Natural Park, hosting species such as griffon vulture populations studied in collaboration with academic centres like the CSIC. Environmental challenges involve water management debates referenced in cases before Spanish courts and policy frameworks of the European Environment Agency addressing invasive species, wildfire risk akin to incidents in Sierra Morena and habitat connectivity promoted by Life Programme initiatives.
Cultural life in La Siberia features festivals and Semana Santa observances paralleling traditions in Extremadura towns like Mérida and Cáceres, with local patron saint celebrations, gastronomy emphasizing Iberian ham traditions shared with Jabugo and artisanal cheeses similar to those from La Serena (cheese). Architectural heritage includes medieval castles and churches reflecting influences from the Order of Alcántara, Romanesque and Baroque periods linked to architects and artisans who worked in Badajoz Cathedral and monastic sites like Zafra. Folklore, music and dances resonate with regional customs promoted by cultural institutes such as the Extremaduran Institute of Culture and municipal museums cooperating with the Ministry of Culture and Sport.
Transport links from La Siberia connect to major corridors toward Badajoz (city), Ciudad Real, Mérida and Madrid via regional roads and highway networks including connections to the A-5 (Autovía del Suroeste) and provincial roads managed by the Diputación Provincial de Badajoz. Water infrastructure comprises dams and hydroelectric facilities of the INEA-era projects and management by the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana, while public services coordinate with health and education providers in the Junta de Extremadura. Rural broadband and renewable energy deployments involve programmes funded by the European Investment Bank and regional development agencies addressing connectivity comparable to initiatives in other Spanish rural areas like Galicia and Aragón.
Category:Comarcas of Extremadura