Valencia (Autonomous Community)

The capital and largest city is Valencia (city). The region is divided into three provinces:

• Alicante,
• Castellón and
• Valencia.

Geography

This Mediterranean region - the autonomous community of Valencia and part of the lands of Murcia, is also called the "Levante zone," that is, the place where the sun rises, from the point of view of most regions of Spain, of course.

The most typical landscape for these places is a plain with a large number of fruit plantations and wetlands.

Economy

Valencia's economy is focused more on the agricultural sector. Valencia has the largest food market in all of Europe. This is where 8 out of 10 of all Spanish oranges gather. It is here that half of all vegetables in the Spanish market grow. A large percentage of canned factories have a residence permit in Valencia, not to mention the Valencian region, from which a large percentage of various goods are exported.

In the 2000s, low interest rates attracted foreign investors here, especially beneficial for the development of logistics, industry and the tourism sector.

Valencia is Spain's leader in cork tree farming. In terms of cork production, it is second only to Portuguese plantations.

Valencia is a fertile land for rice cultivation. It is in Valencia that up to half of the required amount of this grain crop is collected.

Valencia is the center of Spain for the production of citrus crops. And it is in Valencia that the factory for the production of bioethanol from oranges is located. According to the latest statistics, it is the collection and processing of oranges that make up more than 18% of the share in the entire economy of Valencia.

Valencia is the oldest manufacturer of ceramics. In 2013, more than two hundred ceramic tile manufacturers successfully operate within a radius of 200 kilometers of the suburban zone. The largest and most famous of them is the Porcelanosa concern. Thanks to the masters of Mauritania, who lived here for several centuries, Valencia was entrenched in the glory of the European center for the production of shoes, glass, leather, silk, jewelry and paper.

Valencia - occupies a prize podium in tourism, without focusing only on its beautiful beaches, it gradually develops various tourist destinations, such as: educational, sports, entertainment, health, sea, etc.

2015: Valencia is an anti-leader in terms of the ratio of public debt and GDP

According to the results of 2015, the five regions where public debt turned out to be the most impressive in relation to GDP included:

• Valencia (41%) - debt 41.752 billion euros,
• Castile - La Mancha (35%),
• Catalonia (35%) - debt 72.274 billion euros,
• Balearic Islands (30%) and
• Murcia (27%).

The smallest debt was recorded in:

• Madrid (13%) - debt 27.645 billion euros,
• Basque Country (14%),
• in the Canaries (15%),
• in Rioja (17%) and
• Asturias (18%)^[1].

2014

Damage from Russian sanctions

In August 2014, it became known that the Government of Valencia will seek significant compensation from European Union Spain the authorities in connection with the new sanctions adopted. Russia The ban on the import of Russia food into the EU countries is expected to cause serious damage to the Valencia food industry sector.

The representative of the Valencia government, Maria Jose Catala, recalled that in 2013 the Valencia food industry exported products worth 151 million euros to Russia^[2] the^[2].

"The problem of the ban goes beyond the competence of the Valencia government," she is sure, adding that while the regional authorities will act carefully. "Because at the moment we do not know specific measures and sanctions from the Russian government," explained Maria Jose Katala.

However, she also said Valencia would seek compensation from the European Union through the Spanish government to help the food industry sector. Maria Jose Catala explained that the Valencia government will ask "the Spanish government to study ways to compensate after the possible consequences of these sanctions in the food industry sector in Valencia."

The representative of the regional government noted that after the negative consequences of Russian sanctions are analyzed and specific measures are announced, Valencia will accurately assess the losses and demand appropriate compensation.

At the end of August 2014, the Chairman of the Association of Farmers of Valencia (AVA-Asaja) Cristobal Aguado called the "mockery" of financial assistance in the amount of 125 million euros, which the European Commission intends to allocate to compensate for the consequences of the Russian veto on the import of fruits and vegetables from Europe. According to Spanish news agencies, Aguado called on Brussels to pay "proper compensation to all market players affected by these measures."

Representatives of the agricultural sector believe that the measures proposed by Europe are not enough, and note that Andalusia and Valencia may suffer much more than other regions: oranges and persimmons growing here are not included in the list compiled by Brussels. Due to the lack of market measures and funds to combat the crisis, farmers demand to give preference to products produced in the EU, and also call for the intervention of politicians. According to them, after an unpleasant story with the bacterium e.coli, it took a year and a half to restore the markets. Now, products from other countries that may have agreements with the EU will enter the market, and there will be speculation and a decrease in prices already below the minimum mark, which even the cost of production will not be able to cover.

Producers believe that the reason for what is happening is political disagreements, for which the Mediterranean pays with its crops. Mampel also noted that Valencia ranks second in the export of fresh food among the regions of Spain, and demanded that the head of government Alberto Fabra present the demands of farmers in Madrid and Brussels.

In turn, Aguado criticized the fact that "the European Union and the Ministry are not able to dispel doubts in order to stabilize the markets and guarantee the payment of fair prices and the absence of problems, and Brussels is limited to the release of a list of products that does not include persimmon and oranges, and a promise to allocate an insufficient amount, which is hardly enough for harvesting," Aguado concluded.

Economic Forecast 2014-2015

According to the forecast of the Hispalink expert group (July 2014), which includes professors from sixteen universities in Spain, the autonomous community of Valencia will become one of the unconditional leaders in the country's economic development. According to the latest data released online by the group in early August, "the GDP of this autonomy will grow by 2.5% in 2015 - two tenths above the Spanish average and only 0.1 less than the result expected for Madrid's autonomy."

After five years of constant decline (2009-2013), the volume of total domestic product will begin to grow again - by about 2.5 billion euros per year, and again surpass the milestone of 100 billion.

2014, according to analysts, will also close with positive results, but there is no reason to expect an increase in GDP by more than 1.3%.

Experts call the main drivers of the progress of the economy of autonomy:

• exports (increased by 5.4% in the five months of 2014),
• industrial production (2.7%),
• foreign tourism (2.6%).

Of the enterprises whose development shows the most noticeable positive dynamics, experts call the car assembly plant Ford and the Mercadona supermarket chain.

Real estate

The number of home purchase and sale transactions registered in the Valencia autonomy in 2013 increased by 1.28%, while in general Spain this figure decreased by 0.48%. According to the College of Registrars, of the total number of acquired objects (47,649), 22,250 were new housing, and 25,399 were secondary. Such data provided autonomy with the second place in the country in terms of the number of new buildings sold and the fourth in terms of sales of secondary facilities.

The mortgage interest rate was 4.14% in Valencia and 4.02% in Spain. The average period of payments in the region has decreased to 251 months. The average home purchase mortgage was €100,841 in Spain and €74,669 in Valencia, where the figure was down 9.61% compared to 2012. At the national level, the province of Alicante ranked third in the number of sales transactions (24,754), and Valencia - fifth (16,779). In Castellón, the figure was 6,121.

Buying property by foreigners

2010-2012: Britons and Russians in the lead

In the period from 2010 to 2012, the British purchased 6,371 real estate objects in the province of Valencia for a total of 843 million euros. They are followed in the ranking by Russians, whose favorite direction remains Torrevieja - here they purchased 605 housing objects. In Orihuela, their number reached 202, in Calpa - 123, in Alicante - 116, in Guardamar del Segura - 108 and in Benidorm - 104^[3].

From January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012, Russian investors purchased 6,297 properties in the autonomous community of Valencia. The average price of each of them was 200 thousand euros. In total, the volume of these transactions reaches 1.3 billion euros^[4].

The Russians were the leaders in terms of investment and were ahead of the British from this point of view. In addition, the number of home purchase transactions in the Autonomous Community of Valencia performed with their participation has grown significantly. In 2010, 1,039 housing objects were purchased, in 2011 - 1,442 and in 2012 - more than 2,000. Russians prefer high-level real estate, as evidenced by the ratio of costs and the number of apartments purchased.

The French also love Torrevieja. In 2012, they bought 103 houses and apartments in the municipality. Next in popularity are Alicante (83 objects), Peniscola (81), Valencia (80) and Denia (65).

Apartments and houses in Alicante were in demand among Algerian citizens. In 2012, they purchased 1,357 properties here, up 175.25% from a year earlier.

2013: Proportion of foreigners 25%

Among foreigners, the most active buyers of real estate in Spain were citizens of Great Britain, France, Russia, Belgium and Germany. In Valencia, the share of foreigners in the total mass of buyers reached almost 25%. In this parameter, the region is second only to the Balearams. The leader in the number of transactions involving citizens of other countries was the province of Alicante (more than 40% of the total number of purchase and sale operations). In Valencia (7.19%) and Castellón (8.26%), this figure was slightly lower than the national average of 11%.

81.45% of home buyers in Valencia turned out to be private individuals, and the remaining 18.55% were legal. In Spain as a whole, individuals accounted for 78% of transactions, and legal entities - 22%. During the crisis (from 2007 to 2013), the volume of transactions performed by the latter quadrupled. Among private buyers, it, in turn, decreased.

2016:26% of transactions take place with the participation of foreigners

At the end of 2016, the autonomous community of Valencia accounted for 26.66% of the total number of real estate transactions in Spain with the participation of foreigners.

Education

Main article: Education in Spain

2022: Influx of schoolchildren from Russia and Ukraine

The regional leadership of the autonomy of Valenciana (Comunidad Valenciana) published information that educational institutions for school-age children and preschoolers from 3 to 6 years old were in the face of such an increase in the number of students from Ukraine and Russia, which has never happened before. Moreover, 40% of all children who arrived from Ukraine after February 24, 2022, ended up with their parents on the territory of the Valencian community.

While the arrival of Ukrainian children was expected due to military events in this country, the move to the region of a large number of preschool children and schoolchildren from Russia turned out to be a surprise for the department of preschool and school education, writes La Vanguardia.

After the opening of a special military operation in Ukraine by Russia, 6555 Russian schoolchildren and 13,400 Ukrainian students were added to educational institutions in the provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellon. The newspaper notes that the attitude of children from Russia and Ukraine who speak the same Russian language is friendly and not subject to fluctuations in the political situation.

Beaches

2014: Water quality'excellent' and 'good'

In April 2014, it became known that the water quality on 90% of Valencia's beaches was recognized as "excellent," and another 5.5% as "good." The corresponding assessment was given by regional specialists who analyzed 226 samples from 197 beaches. According to them, these are the best results in their practice.

On 93 of the 94 beaches in Alicante (98.9%), water quality was good or excellent, in Castellón all 46 beaches received similar estimates, and in Valencia - 49 out of 57 (85.9%), which is 1 more than in 2013.

The corresponding analysis was carried out as part of the Quality Control Program in the bathing areas of Valencia, which is implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Fishing and Food. Its main task is to check the quality of water on the beaches and prevent any possible circumstances that may have a negative impact in swimming areas.

As part of the control program, technicians analyze water in artificial and natural riverbeds flowing into the sea in swimming areas or nearby zones. According to experts, the quality of water on the beaches of Valencia contributes to "an increase in tourist flow, which translates into the creation of new jobs."

Music

• Obrint Pas from the city of Valencia since 1993.
• Sva-ters from Alcácer city of Valencia province since 1998.
• La Gossa Sorda of Pego Province of Alicante since 1999
• Aspencat from the province of Alicante since 2007

Alcoholism

2021: Rising alcohol abuse after Covid-19 pandemic

A study published by the Valencian Community in December 2022 found that alcohol abuse problems are on the rise among groups of all ages in the region.

A large-scale study published in the journal Neurology looked at the presence of alcohol problems in the Valencian Community.

As it turned out, 84.5% of the population over 18 in the province of Alicante drank alcohol in 2021, while 22.6% said that during this time they suffered from alcohol poisoning.

These figures mean hard work for the region's medics, with four in ten substance abuse cases being dealt with in hospital emergency departments linked to alcohol use. Over the past year, more than a thousand people have needed emergency help due to alcohol abuse, up 30 per cent from the year before.

In fact, these figures coincide with the concerns of psychiatrists, which indicate a wider phenomenon of increased alcohol abuse after the Covid-19 pandemic.

They explain that drinking has become a form of "self-medication" and that the age of those in need of help is increasing, with more and more people in their 60s reporting problems. In addition, alcohol is a causal factor of more than 200 diseases and disorders, and may also be associated with other addictions, such as smoking and the use of potent drugs.

Of all those who needed the help of the public health system in the Valencian Community to address alcohol-related problems, 74% were men compared to 26% of women. The average age of those who applied for help is 47.7 years.

Prisons

Main article: Picassent Prison (Valencia)

Just 20 minutes by car or public transport from the city of Valencia, in the small provincial town of Picassent, is the largest prison in all of Spain. Read more here.

History

Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs whose remains were found on the territory of the Valencian community by 2018

8 thousand years BC: Cannibalism

In March 2017, it became known that in the caves of Santa Maria, located in the province of Alicante in the comarca of Marina Alta near the municipality of Castel de Castels, scientists from the University of Valencia discovered the remains of 30 people. According to the researchers, they belong to people who were killed and eaten by their fellow tribesmen. The find led historians to the conclusion that during the Mesolithic period about 10.2-9 thousand years ago^[5] flourished in this territory].

Bone fragments found in caves belong to both adults and children. Scientists have suggested they were eaten during a funeral ritual. According to another version, it was a forced measure in conditions of hunger.

Archaeologists have no doubt that these people became victims of cannibals: traces of teeth and stone knives are clearly visible on the bones. The same traces are found on the remains of animals. There are other signs pointing to the fairness of such conclusions.

1500 BC: Bronze of the Levante

300 g BC.

2 BC: During the reign of Octavian Augustus, the road through the Iberian Peninsula, which received his name, is modernized

After the reign of the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus, when expansion and improvements were carried out, the Vía Exterior roads were especially in the period from 8 to 2 BC. e. After that, it was named after the emperor Augustus road.

The following archaeological sites associated with the August Road have survived:

Province of Castellón:

• Santa Uvaldesca y Villa romana del Boverot (Sant Mateu);
• Mansio de Ildum (Vilanova dʼAlcolea);
• Villa Romana del Pla de lʼArc (La ValldʼAlba);
• Villa Romana de Aiguamolls (Vilafamés);
• Villa romana `El Palau` (Borriana);
• Villa romana de Benicató (Nules);
• Villa Romana de LʼAlqueria (Moncofa);
• Villa Romana LʼAlter (Xilxes);
• Villa Romana (La Llosa);
• Punt del Cid y Estanys dʼAlmenara (Almenara).

The remains of a paved roadbed survive in Castellón between Sant Joan del Pas and Pobla Tornesa.

Valencia Province:

• Restos de domus en C/ Valencia de Sagunt;
• restos del Circo Romano y Mausoleo de Sagunt;
• restos de la ciudad romana de Valentia (LʼAlmoina);
• Alteret en Albalat de la Ribera;
• Ninfeo de la calle Sariers de Xàtiva;
• Ad Statuas en Moixent.

Remains of a paved roadbed at Plaza Morería in Sagunta.

Alicante Province:

• Puerto Romano de Lucentum;
• factorías de salazones de El Verger, Calp, Xàbia;
• IliciLʼAlcudia-Elx;
• Villa romana de LʼAlbir en LʼAlfàs del Pí;
• Alonae. La Vila Joiosa y yacimientos en Dénia.
• Roman bridge in Gata de Gorgos^[6].

XIV century: As part of Aragon

Falls

Cascada de Bercolón

Cascada de Bercolón Falls can be said to be an extension of the Turia River, because its flow flows down the inner rock and forms a lagoon with turquoise waters. The sun enters this corner through the opening, along which the river cascades and descends, creating a special atmosphere.

When travelers enter this space, they immediately notice that the air temperature drops decently. The water in the lagoon, of course, is very cold, but daredevils often decide to swim. Due to the special shape of the space, you can enjoy a good echo and rolls of water running along the walls. There is no way to lie down or have a picnic, it remains only to absorb the beauty of the moment.

If you are traveling from the city of Valencia, then we also advise you to enjoy treasures that meet on the way. One of them is the city of Tuehar, which preserved the ruins of a medieval fortress wall. You should definitely walk through the atmospheric streets of this town surrounded by stone houses.

If you don't want to stop in the village, you need to continue on the road (CV-35) until you come across a Camino de Zagra sign. There, the road becomes a forest trail leading to the recreational area of Área Recreativa de Zagra. At a certain point, you need to leave the car to move on foot. After the bridge is passed, the path becomes more difficult, but if you follow the direction of movement on the map, you can safely continue the path. On the way, a pond will appear in front of you, which is a sign that you are approaching a cave with a waterfall. You are so welcomed by the Turia River, which must be crossed to reach the mouth of the cave, located on an elevation. Another sign will be the approaching noise of water. Climbing stones, you can walk to the entrance to the grotto, from where you will have to go down to the lagoon. When descending, you need to be attentive and careful. However, the entire path traveled is definitely worth the beauty that will unfold in front of you.

See also

• Valencia (city)
• Valencia (province)
• Spain

Notes