Benidorm
Benidorm is a city and municipality in the province of Alicante in eastern Spain, on the Mediterranean coast. Benidorm has been a tourist destination within Spain since 1925, when its port was extended and the first hotels were built. However, the real "boom" of Benidorm as a coastal resort did not happen until the 1950s, when it became a famous summer destination for people coming from inland Spain Madrid. Today it is known for its hotel industry and skyscrapers and receives as many or slightly more foreign tourists as Spanish ones. According to the 2014 census, Benidorm has a permanent population of 69,010 inhabitants, making it the fifth most populous town in the Alicante province, it is thought there were settlements in the Benidorm area as far back as 3000 BC, including evidence of Roman and Punic remains. However, settlements in the area were small and it was not until the arrival of the Moors that the local population began to grow; the Christian King James I of Aragon reconquered the region in 1245 and Benidorm first became known in 1325, when Admiral Bernat de Sarrià of Polop awarded it a town charter as a way of removing the Moors and allowing Christians to inhabit the area.
Benidorm's history for the next few centuries was plagued by attacks from the sea by Ottoman and Barbary pirates. The 17th century saw conditions improve for Benidorm and its people, most notably with the construction of an advanced irrigation system in 1666 to channel water to the region. By the 18th century Benidorm fishermen had sought after all over Spain and beyond. Tuna was their main catch and they perfected the ancient almadraba technique dating from Islamic times; the success of the fishing industry, together with improved local agriculture, helped to fuel a strong local economy. Coastal traffic increased too, bringing more wealth to the region with the town becoming a base for sea captains and the building of their vessels. In 1952 Benidorm's fishing industry went into decline. Today the town is Europe's and Spain's biggest holiday resort and responsible for a significant chunk of Spain's large tourist industry, with five million tourist arrivals per year. After giving the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party majorities or pluralities in elections from the restoration of democracy in 1977, Benidorm has favoured the right wing People's Party since the general elections of 1993.
The PP gained control of the local council at the 1995 local elections and won 14 of the 25 council seats in the 1999 and 2003 elections. The 2007 election gave them a one-seat majority over the PSOE, but disagreements in the PP group led to a motion of censure being passed against the PP mayor in September 2009, he was replaced by the socialist Agustín Navarro. As of the 2015 local elections, the political composition on the local council was the following: The town is divided into five parts: Poniente and Levante, each fronted by a beach of the same name. Between the two beaches lies a rocky promontory and the port; the old city occupies the promontory and the area inland, while most of the hotels occupy the more developed sections inland from the two beaches. A few miles from shore is an uninhabited island which provides a dramatic centrepiece to the seascape. In 1954 Pedro Zaragoza Orts, the young Mayor of Benidorm, created the Plan General de Ordenación that ensured, via a complex construction formula, every building would have an area of leisure land, guaranteeing a future free of the excesses of cramped construction seen in other areas of Spain.
It is the only city in Spain. Most of the streets in the city are named after places such as Avenida de Uruguay, Avenida del Mediterráneo, Calle Pekín, etc. Avenida del Mediterráneo is a wide avenue that links the old town with Rincón. Avenida Europa crosses Levante at right angles linking the western city limits with the Levante beach. Benidorm is connected to the FGV railway line between Dénia; the section to Alicante is now converted to tram operation and trams run at least every half an hour between Benidorm and Alicante. Trains run hourly from Benidorm to Dénia. Benidorm has a hot semi arid climate with mild winters and hot summers; the city receives more than 300 mm in precipitation per year and the wettest season is the mid-late Autumn, which prevents it from being classified as Mediterranean. It enjoys more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and the average annual temperature is around 19.0 °C. The maximum temperatures during winter range from 15 to 22 °C, while the lows range from 6 to 12 °C.
The temperature oscillation is small, being smaller during summers, during the summer the maximum temperatures range from 28 to 32 °C while the lows range from 20 to 24 °C. In all of the summer months the city minimum temperatures at night remain above 20 °C, a phenomenon referred to as "tropical night" by Spanish meteorologists. Benidorm is popular with tourists from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. Benidorm's initial growth in popularity can be attributed to the package holiday explosion, continues year round, due to the night-life based around the central concentration of bars and clubs; the large number of free cabaret acts that start a
Vinaròs
Vinaròs is a city located in eastern Spain and the capital of the Baix Maestrat. It's in the province of Castellón, so it's part of the Valencian Community. Vinaròs is a fishing tourist destination; the first historical record of Vinaròs is in 1233, when the Moorish hamlet of Binarlaros-Ibn Arus in eastern al-Andaluz was captured by King James I of Aragon. It was under rule of the Knights templar order between 1294 and 1311, of the order of Montesa during the 14th century; the town grew during the 16th and 17th centuries, when fortifications and navy yards were built, attained great prosperity during the following two centuries, due to its involvement in ship building and Valencian wine trade. The town suffered a strong decline in the early 20th century as a consequence of the spread of phylloxera in the regions vineyards, which devastated wine production. Today, the prosperity of Vinaròs is bound to tourism and fishing, it is renowned for its tasty prawns. Vinaròs is part of the Taula del Sénia free association of municipalities.
Sights in Vinaròs is the fortress-like Església Arxiprestal de l'Assumpció, built in the prevailing Renaissance architectural style during 1583-1596, with a'new' Baroque portal added during 1698–1702. The Carnival of Vinaròs take place during January, February or March; the Carnival has 33 troupes. Each troupe is represented by a queen. 1st day: in the Town Hall, Carnival starts by a performance decorated with the Carnival's topic and the "Carnestoltes" presentation. The Mayor and the queens open the Carnival's hutts enclosure. 2nd day: The Queen's Presentation, where they show their fantastic costumes to all the people. It's located on the old football pitch. 3rd day: Flour's battle and Disguised pets Competition in the Carnival's hutts enclosure, placed in the Fóra Forat Walk both. 4th day: elderlies' dinner. 5th day: some troupes fight for win the Karaoke Song Contest. 6th day: people dress up with thematic costumes that are suitable with the Carnival's Topic and they enjoy the night at the Carnival's hutts enclosure.
7th day: all people dress up with pyjamas and enjoy the night at the Carnival's hutts enclosure. 8th day: people dress up costumes and enjoy the night at the Carnival's hutts enclosure. 9th day and 10th day: on Saturday and Sunday, troupes parade around the main streets in a closed route. 11th day: Carnival ends at the Town Hall and the "Carnestoltes" is burned in the beach or in a waste ground. Moreover, in August there's the Summer Carnival with The Queen's Presentation to show the tourists how Carnival is like in Vinaròs. In the 2007 Spanish local elections, the People's Party obtained 10 city councillors, the PSPV-PSOE 7, the Partit de Vinaròs Independent 3 and the Valencian Nationalist Bloc 1. In the 2011 Spanish local elections, the People's Party obtained an absolute majority with 11 councillors elected; the PSPV-PSOE obtained 6 city councillors, the Valencian Nationalist Bloc 2. The PVI lost two seats, obtaining just one councillor while Republican Left of the Valencian Country obtained 1 city councillor.
In the 2015 Spanish local elections, the People's Party lost three city councillors, obtaining 8 seats. The PSPV-PSOE lost two city councillors, receiving 4; the electors association Each and every one are Vinaròs got 5 city councillors and the other political parties obtained the same number of councillors. The PSPV-PSOE, Commitment Coalition and Each and every one are Vinaròs signed the "Stables Covenant" in order to form a government with absolute majority, with 11 city councillors. In this document, they agreed that the leader of the most voted list would be the mayor, Mr. Enric Pla Vall, the other leaders would be the first and second deputy mayors depending on the elected city councillors they had. So the first deputy mayor was Mr. Guillem Alsina Gilabert from the PSPV-PSOE and the second one was Mr. Domènec Fontanet from Compromís. Louis Joseph, Duke of Vendôme, marshal in the War of the Spanish Succession fighting on the side of the Bourbons, he died at Vinaròs from indigestion after eating a serving of king prawns.
Vicent Guilló Barceló, Baroque painter. Maria Conesa actress in México as "la gatita blanca". Carles Santos Ventura, composer, painter and performer. Leopoldo Querol: pianist and professor at the National Conservatory of Music. Joan Elies Adell i Pitarch: poet José María Salaverría: writer. Official Vinaròs website
Benicàssim
Benicàssim is a municipality and beach resort located in the province of Castelló, on the Costa del Azahar in Spain. The Desert de les Palmes mountain range further inland shelters the town from the north wind; the name is derived from the Banu Qasim tribe, a segment of the Kutama Berbers that settled the area during the 8th century Moorish conquest of Spain. Benicassim is located 13 km north of the town of Castelló de la Plana, at the north end of the Valencian Community; the town has a population of 18,098. Its economy is based on tourism. Benicassim has 6 kilometers of sandy beaches linked by a promenade; the five beaches in this stretch of coast are named Voramar Heliòpolis Torreón Almadraba Els TerrersThe beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag quality certification since 1987. Just inland from Benicàssim lies the Desert of the Palms; the area is not a literal desert, but a protected natural area and a small mountain range with a maximum elevation of 729 meters. The Columbretes Islands are visible from the top of the range on clear days.
Festival Internacional de Benicàssim FIB Rototom Sunsplash MABE Benicàssim Art Show. The ”Vía Verde” is a 5.5 km long cycle path along the rugged coast between the resort towns of Benicassim and Oropesa. Benicàssim town council Benicassim Costa Azahar Benicassim Description Muestra de Arte de Benicàssim MABE Benicassim culture
La Vall d'Uixó
La Vall d'Uixó is a town situated in eastern Spain, in the Valencian province of Castelló. La Vall is located 25 km to the south of the province's capital Castelló, 45 km to the north of the community's capital Valencia and 8 km to the Mediterranean Sea, so it is at 118 m above sea level; as of 2007, the town is governed by the Spanish conservative People's Party. The current territory of La Vall d'Uixó has been occupied since prehistoric times by different human groups. La cova de Sant Josep and other caves in the surrounding area represent the most ancient vestiges in La Vall, from the chronological point of view; the archaeological works in these caves have revealed that they were occupied by hunters of the Upper Paleolithic period, according to a chronology of the C-14 16,000 years BC. There, two rocky panels were found with representations of cave paintings, giving an idea of the importance of place. People continued living in the Valley during the Bronze Age. During the Bronze Age grew villages located high in the mountains, well fortified with walls and watchtowers.
Its strategic location allowed them to control a vast territory and step into the Serra d'Espadà. The Iberian era was supposed a considerable expansion of the population, as evidenced by the remains of the Iberian city of La Punta d’Orleyl and Poblat Sant Josep. La Punta d'Orleyl has four successive lines of walls and towers. Stresses its acropolis, where the remains were located on at least two large public buildings built with huge stones squared; the Poblat de Sant Josep, located at the top of the hill of the same name, represents a good example of the ancient urbanism. It is small but has a wall, two towers and houses of the Iberian and Roman eras, their time of glory was during the Iberian stages. Years ago, they were occupied during the 4th century AD, in the end of the Roman Empire. During Roman times, the population evolved towards agricultural sector. A few years ago was located the remains of a necropolis of burial, dated between the 6th and 7th centuries and attached to the Visigothic period.
In total we found the remains of 66 individuals with their funerary offerings. The Arab conquest and the establishment of these populations did not change too much the kind of life. Throughout this long period has been able to document the existence of a dozen villages that are located on both sides of the Belcaire river; these are Alcúdia, Benigafull, Benizahat and Benigasló. Each had its own industrial area, as well as its necropolis; the political and legal organization of La Vall was under the chairmanship of Castell d'Uixó. In 1250, la Vall received La Carta Pobla. Since that moment, la Vall become an important city inside the Kingdom of Valencia; this situation did not lead too significant changes, because the Muslim community of La Vall maintained the structure of society. La Vall d'Uixó underwent profound changes during this time. Since the expulsion of the Moors in 1609, all citizens in la Vall d’Uixó should be replaced by Christians, but it was not so; the Moors retained their houses and continued working the land and carrying out its industrial activities, but under Christian control.
During the 18th century, the population of La Vall increased significantly. The six villages joined each other and they created El poble de Dalt and El poble de Baix. From the 19th century, both little towns formed a central square where the City Hall is located at the present. Throughout the 20th century was the second major economic and demographic expansion. La Vall attended to a high immigration because of the heavy industrialization of the ancient craft of footwear, lasting in time until the beginning of the 90s. Since and after a period of economic crisis due to the closure of this company, la Vall changed its socio-economic structure, centred now on the city commerce. More information: Ajuntament de la Vall d'Uixó / La Vall d'Uixó City Council La Vall d’Uixó is situated in the valley of the Belcaire river, near the Mediterranean Sea; this fantastic geographical situation is the main reason why the weather is typical from the Mediterranean coast. Its location is perfect, it's located 25 km to the south of the province's capital Castelló, 45 km to the north of the community's capital Valencia and 8 km to the Mediterranean Sea, so it is at 118 m above sea level, which make this town noticeably esetio.
Thanks to the huge economical and society development happened during the last decades, la Vall is one of the most prosperous cities in the province of Castellón. La Vall d’Uixó is surrounded by few cities in la Plana Baixa: Almenara, Alfondeguilla, La Llosa, Moncofa and Xilxes and borders on Valencia's province with Sagunto; as the La Vall Anthem says, la Vall is surrounded by many mountains: Penya Migdia, Penya-Creuc, Ródeno, Font de Cabres, La Pitera, Pipa, El Frontó, Sants de la Pedra, El Castell, Sumet, La Balona, Penya Garrut and Alto de Cerverola. The type of soil is rich. In addition, la Vall has a high level of production of citrics. We can find throughout the municipal district some carob trees, olives trees, pine trees, white mulberry trees, etc. La Vall citizens used to call it the Barranco de San José, it has many tributaries, like "La rambla de Cerverola", "Barranc de Randero" and "Barranc de l'Alcúdia". Their beds are dry throughout the year, its source is in the Alfondeguilla mountains, it flows into the Mediterranean Sea
Benassal
Benassal is a municipality in the comarca of Alt Maestrat, Castellón, Spain. Media related to Benassal at Wikimedia Commons
Oropesa del Mar
Oropesa del Mar is a municipality in the comarca of Plana Alta in the Valencian Community, Spain
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Media related to Province of Castellón at Wikimedia Commons
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