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| Guadalest, Alicante |
With its more than 5 million inhabitants, the Valencian Community is the fourth most populous community in Spain. In terms of size, it ranks 8th with its 23,255km2. It consists of the three provinces of Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia. The city of Valencia is both the capital of the Valencian Community, as well as the capital of the province of Valencia. It is also the largest city in the community.
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| Plaza de la Virgen - City of Valencia |
The Province of Valencia comprises an area of 10,763 km2. With its 2.6 million people it is the most populated province in The Community of Valencia. 800,000 of those people live within the city of Valencia, whereas 2.2 million live within the metropolitan area of Valencia. The city's quaint historical centre holds an array of interesting sights, such as the Miguelete belltower. It is also known for the Malvarrosa Beach, where people flock to in summer. Valencia is also known for its annual festival, Las Fallas. This celebration is held each year from 15 March to 19 March in commemoration of Saint Joseph. It mainly takes place in the street with a host of historical, religious, and comic processions. The city gets packed with people of all ages. Each day at 2pm there are fireworks displays. As everywhere in Spain, food is important. People stock up on fresh produce at the Central Market, and restaurants across the city compete for the best redition of the city's signature dish, Paella Valenciana.
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| Palau des Arts & L'Hemisfèric |
The City of Arts and Sciences is an enormous cultural and architectural complex in the south of the city of Valencia. It is the the city's most important modern tourist attraction and is also included as one of the 12 treasures of Spain. The complex includes the eye-shaped L'Hemisfèric, which includes an IMAX cinema, a planetarium and a laserium. Built in the form of a whale's skeleton is the interactive Museu de les Ciències Principe Felipe. It holds the largest exhibition space in Spain with collections of the legacy of science, sequencing of human DNA. In addition to that, there is even basket ball court on the ground floor. The L'Umbracle is an open arched structure with an exhibition of Valencia's natural flora. Built in the shape of a water lily, L'Oceanogràfic is the largest oceanographic aquarium in Europe. The complex also includes Palau des Arts Reina Sofia, an opera house and centre for music and performing arts. The latest addition is L'Agora, a covered hall for concerts and sports events.
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| Peñiscola |
Castellón has an area of 6,679 km2 and a population of 580,000. Abou 175,000 of those live in the provincial capital of Castellón de la Plana. Mention Peñiscola.
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| Alicante |
The Province of Alicante spans over an area of 5,816.5 km2 and has a population of close to 1.9 million. The city of Alicante, or Alacant, has about 330,000 inhabitants. Close to 25% of the population in the province is made up of foreigners, the highest percentage of any province in Spain.
Festivals
Las Fallas, Valencia, Community of Valencia (March)
This celebration is held each year from 15 March to 19 March in commemoration of Saint Joseph. It mainly takes place in the street with a host of historical, religious, and comic processions. The city gets packed with people of all ages. Each day at 2pm there are fireworks displays.
The Christians and Moors of Alcoy, Community of Valencia (April)
This festival is held in honour of Saint George, patron saint of Alcoy. The festival is an enactment of a battle in 1276 in which Saint George led the Christian army which liberated Alcoy from Muslim occupation.
La Tomatina, Buñol, Community of Valencia (August)
This festival is held the last Wednesday of August each year. It basically consists of a tomato fight lasting for about one hour. At the end of the fight, contestants are absolutely drenched in smashed tomatoes. Last time it was held, truckloads of 145 tonnes of tomatoes were brought in for the fight.
Food
Paella (Valencia)
Paella, originating from Valencia, is one of Spain's most iconic dishes. Paella is a rice dish, made from short-grained Spanish bomba rice, although risotto or sushi rice will probably do. The dish is prepared in a large open saucepan called a paellera in which a meat or fish broth is added to the rice and brought to boil. Paella valenciana is the most traditional one, containing chicken, rabbit, and escargot. An interesting alternative to the paella, also deriving from Valencia is the fideuá containing noodles, instead of rice.
