Ateca Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Ateca, Spain

Flag	Coat of arms

Spain

Aragon

Municipality

Ateca

Area

• Total

84 km² (32 sq mi)

Population

(2018)

• Total

1,793

• Density

21.35/km² (55.3/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Website

http://www.aytoateca.es/

Ateca is a town in Spain, located in the province of Zaragoza, Aragon. In 2015, about 1,969 people lived there.

The Jalón River meets the Piedra River and the River Manubles in Ateca.

A chocolate factory, once owned by Cadbury, was in Ateca until it closed in 2013.

Ateca is connected as a "twin town" with Lézat-sur-Lèze in France. The Seat Ateca SUV car is named after this area.

Where is Ateca Located?
What is Ateca's Climate Like?
How Did Ateca Get Its Name?
How Many People Live in Ateca?
What is Ateca's Economy Like?
- Chocolate Making
- Other Industries and Farming
What Services Does Ateca Offer?
Main Sights to See
Gallery
See also

Where is Ateca Located?

Ateca is in the central Iberian System mountain range. It is in the southwest part of the province. The town is where the Jalón and Manubles rivers meet.

Ateca is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Zaragoza. It is 220 kilometers (137 miles) from Madrid. The town is also 15 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of Calatayud.

It sits on the left bank of the Jalón River. Ateca is about 647 meters (2,123 feet) above sea level. Another river, the Monegrillo, also flows through the area.

What is Ateca's Climate Like?

Ateca has an average temperature of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) throughout the year. The town gets about 380 mm (15 inches) of rain each year.

How Did Ateca Get Its Name?

During the time of Muslim rule in Spain, the conquerors gave the town a new name. They called it `Atīqa`, which is an Arabic word. This word means "ancient" or "old." This name suggests that Ateca was a very old settlement even back then.

How Many People Live in Ateca?

Since 1860, the number of people living in Ateca has slowly gone down. In 1860, there were 3,786 residents. Many people moved away, especially after 1950.

This movement led to an older population. In 1860, the average age was 25. By 1970, it was over 36. In 1970, 18% of the people were over sixty years old. However, fewer people have been moving away in the 21st century. In 2016, Ateca had 1,856 residents.

What is Ateca's Economy Like?

Ateca's businesses and services are not as strong because Calatayud is nearby. Over time, Ateca has lost some of its economic importance. In the 1800s, the town had shops selling clothes and fabrics. In 1842, it even started an annual fair.

Historically, Ateca was famous for its pottery. Its pottery had special features that made it different from other areas.

Chocolate Making

Today, making chocolate is the main industry in Ateca. There are two chocolate factories there. One is Valor Chocolates, which used to be Ancient Chocolates Hueso. The other is Atienza Chocolates, a smaller family business.

Valor Chocolates started in 1862. It distributes Huesitos chocolate bars all over Spain. In 2013, the factory and the Huesito and Tokke brands were sold to Chocolates Valor. This sale stopped the factory from moving away from Ateca.

Other Industries and Farming

Ateca also has a wood industry. There is a furniture factory called Sémper Furniture. A new call center, part of the GSS Group, also provides over one hundred jobs.

Farming is still very important in Ateca. The Vega del Jalon area is one of the main fruit-growing regions in Spain. Farmers grow excellent quality apples, cherries, and almonds. They also grow different types of grapes.

The Cooperativa Virgen de la Peana field produces wines. These wines are part of the Denominación de Origen Calatayud (DO) group. They are mostly made from the Grenache grape variety grown in the area.

What Services Does Ateca Offer?

The town has several public services and facilities.

Sports: Ateca has a municipal swimming pool and a fronton court. There is also the San Blas soccer field with artificial grass. The local team, C.D. Ateca, plays there.
Education: Ateca has several schools. These include the EEI La Solana for young children. There is also the CEIP Virgen de la Peana for primary students. The IES Zaurín is for secondary education. These schools serve Ateca and nearby villages.
Other Services: The town also has a community health center and a community pharmacy. There is a public library and a clean point for recycling. Ateca also has a Guardia Civil police station and a multi-purpose pavilion.