 Ciudad Real is located in the Autonomous Region of Castilla la Mancha. According to the latest concensus (2006), the province has some 506,865 inhabitants. Its provincial capital is Ciudad Real. To the north the province is bounded by Toledo, the northwest by Cuenca and to the east by Albacete. To its south are Córdoba and Jaén and east is the province of Badajoz.
The limits of the province of Ciudad Real are practically the same as those of the old province of La Mancha, which had as its capital city the magnificent medieval town of Almagro
Historically, Ciudad Real evolved as did the whole of the Iberian Peninsula. Ruins of many ages and civilizations are distributed around the countryside and evidence of the violent past during conquest and reconquest are everywhere.
Of major importance for the distribution of modern day towns and cities was the fact that after the Christian conquest of Spain, the actual province of Ciudad Real was dominated by 3 major military-religious orders whose influence waxed and waned over the years.
 This goes some way to explaining the evidence that the Order of San Juan lost influence with the passage of time and the Order of the Knights Templar gained sway until its final dissolution at the beginning of modern era.
The scenery of Ciudad Real outside the major centres of occupation can be described as Central Meseta. In other words, high plain territory. The flatness of the land that exemplifies Castilla la Mancha is also here emphasised and the area is a very important centre for cereal production.
The south of the province is delimited by the Sierra Morena and its here that the main entry point into Andalucia, the daunting pass of Despeñaperros is located. To the north of the province are the mountains of Toledo.
The main river system of the province is that of the Guadiana. This river rises in the Lakes of Ruidera to the east of the province. After that it disappears then reappear in the area around Villarrubia de los Ojos.
Ciudad Real’s climate is continental Mediterranean and there is a wide temperature range throughout the year which is marked by very hot, dry summers and bitterly cold winters.
 Ciudad Real is located on the principal road of communication between Toledo and Andalucia, which was, for most of its history, the principal way of communication within the Iberian Peninsula. Modern communication continue to improve.
The National 4 crosses the southern part of the province between Puerto Lápice and Almuradiel and continues south to Andalucia. The AVE high velocity train has stops in Ciudad Real on its way to and from Madrid.
More information:
http://www.ciudad-real.es/
Content available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
 Add as favourites (41) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 1407
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved |
