Villarreal Information
Vila-real[1] is a city in the province of Castelló, in the Valencian Community, Spain. Located 7 km to the south of the province's capital (Castelló de la Plana), at 42 m above sea level, it has 51,205 inhabitants (2009 data), most of them living in the urban area that covers about 10.72% of its county's 55.4 km2 surface. Ranked by population, it is the second city in the province (following the capital), and tenth in the Valencian Community.
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Economy
Vila-real's economy has evolved since the days of cultivation and trade of oranges in the last century to the manufacturing of ceramic tiles, which today is its most important source of income.
History
Saint James Tower.Founded in 1274 by King James I of Aragon (hence its name, meaning "King's Town") to reinforce the area once it had been reconquered from the Muslims, it was located strategically on the old Roman road Via Augusta, 65 km to the north of the city of Valencia, and close to the town of Borriana, at that time under Muslim rule. The original village, surrounded by defensive walls, was expanded to the outskirts in 14th century, under the protection of the King of València.
During the 16th century, the farming land began to be extended and enhanced by drilling wells to obtain water and convert dry land into irrigated fields, making it possible to begin commercial agriculture in the 17th century. After its disastrous participation in the War of the Spanish Succession, in the second half of the 18th century, the first industries were established, mainly for textiles. Also during that time, the city became involved in various revolts and wars that shook Spanish State.
In the 19th century, the cultivation and trade of oranges was introduced, which gave the town great economic progress, led both by businessmen and by farmers' associations or "cooperatives". After the Spanish State Civil War in the second half of the 20th century, the earnings obtained from the orange trade allowed several entrepreneurs to build ceramic tile factories, as a way to diversify their productive model. This type of industry has continued to expand up to the present day, and it has become Villareal's main economic activity.
Main sights
Sights in the town include:
- Sant Jaume Church (18th century)
- Sant Pasqual basilica.
- Plaça Major (Main Square), a square surrounded by several porticoed houses built in different periods.
- The City Museum "Casa de Polo"
- Chapel and park of Mare de Déu de Gràcia (Our Lady of Grace).
Sport
The town is home to Villarreal CF football (soccer) team.
References
- ^ From February 28, 2006, the only official toponym of the city is Vila-real; Now Vila-real is not Villarreal (Catalan)
External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Villarreal |
| Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Villarreal. |
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Categories: Municipalities in Castellón
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