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| Provincia de Alicante | |
|---|---|
| Name | Provincia de Alicante |
| Native name | Provincia de Alicante |
| Country | Spain |
| Autonomous community | Valencian Community |
| Capital | Alicante |
| Area km2 | 5,816 |
| Population | 1,858,000 (approx.) |
| Provinces bordering | Murcia, Albacete, Valencia (province) |
| Largest municipality | Alicante |
Provincia de Alicante is a province on the southeastern coast of Spain within the Valencian Community, centered on the city of Alicante. The province includes the Costa Blanca, a prominent Mediterranean coastline, and inland districts such as Vinalopó and Marina Alta. It has a mixed landscape of coastal plains, mountain ranges like the Sierra de Aitana, and rivers such as the Segura.
Provincia de Alicante's geography spans coastal zones including Benidorm, Calpe, and Denia; interior valleys such as the Vinalopó; and mountain systems like the Sierra de Mariola and Sierra de Crevillent. The province borders Murcia, Albacete, and Valencia (province) and faces the Balearic Sea of the Mediterranean Sea. Notable natural sites include the Font Roja Natural Park, the Peñón de Ifach, and the Albufera of Elche; islands off the coast include the Tabarca Island. Climatic influences include Mediterranean patterns seen in Alicante (city), while karst formations and limestone outcrops characterize ranges such as the Sierra de Aitana.
The area was inhabited in antiquity by Iberians and later integrated into Roman Hispania with settlements like Lucentum. During the early medieval period the province formed part of Al-Andalus and saw the foundation of towns under the Caliphate of Córdoba and later the Taifa of Dénia. The Reconquista brought conquest by forces linked to the Kingdom of Castile and the Crown of Aragon, with local governance influenced by charters such as the Furs of Valencia. In the early modern period economic links tied Alicante to Mediterranean trade routes and the Habsburg Spain maritime network. The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed upheavals related to the Peninsular War, the Spanish Civil War, and industrialization concentrated in towns like Elche and Elda.
Population centers include Alicante, Elche, Torrevieja, Orihuela, and Benidorm, with a demographic profile shaped by internal migration from Castile-La Mancha and Murcia, immigration from United Kingdom and northern Europe, and historical communities of Valencian people and Moorish descendants. Languages legally recognized in the autonomous community include Spanish and Valencian, with bilingual presence in municipalities such as Denia and Gandia. Religious heritage manifests in institutions like the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and cultural observances tied to Holy Week in Elche and the Moors and Christians festivals in towns including Alcoy and Villajoyosa.
The provincial economy features tourism hubs such as Benidorm, Calpe, and Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca; agriculture in the Vinalopó valley with crops like grapes and citrus; and industry in centers including Elche (footwear) and Elda (shoemaking). Port facilities at Alicante Port and Denia Port support maritime trade and ferry connections to Balearic Islands, while the service sector links to hospitality chains headquartered in multinational groups and local businesses tied to Real Club de Golf de Alicante and regional markets. The province is integrated into networks such as the Mediterranean Corridor and benefits from investment influenced by European Union regional funds.
Administratively the province is one of the provinces of Spain within the Valencian Community and is subdivided into comarcas including Alacantí, Baix Vinalopó, Alcoià, Marina Baixa, and Marina Alta. Municipal governments in Alicante, Elche, and Orihuela operate under legal frameworks established by the Statute of Autonomy of the Valencian Community and national legislation such as the Spanish Constitution of 1978. Provincial coordination occurs through entities like the Diputación Provincial de Alicante, while planning interfaces with the Generalitat Valenciana and state ministries including the Ministry of Transport for infrastructure projects.
Cultural attractions include the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, the Elche Palm Grove (a UNESCO site associated with Palmeral of Elche), archaeological sites at Lucentum, and museums like the MARQ and the Instituto Alicantino de Cultura Juan Gil-Albert. Festivities such as the Bonfires of Saint John in Alicante, the Nit de l'Albà in Elche, and the annual Benidorm International Song Festival draw visitors. Gastronomy highlights regional dishes associated with Valencian cuisine including rice dishes from Alicante (city), seafood from Torrevieja, and local wines from wineries in Jumilla-adjacent areas. Tourism infrastructure includes resorts in Benidorm, marinas at Altea and Calpe, and heritage trails connecting sites like the Ruta del Vino DO Alicante.
Major transport nodes include Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, rail connections by Renfe on lines linking Alicante (city) to Valencia (city) and Madrid, and the AP-7 motorway along the Mediterranean corridor. Ports such as Alicante Port and Denia Port provide ferry services to the Balearic Islands and cargo handling. Local public transport systems include tram networks like the TRAM d'Alacant and bus services operated by companies serving corridors to Murcia and Valencia (city). Infrastructure projects have involved high-speed connections promoted by the Spanish Government and regional initiatives funded by European Commission programs.