Catral facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Catral
Municipality
Coat of arms
Location Catral on the Valencian Community
Catral Location in Spain
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Valencian Community
Province	Alicante
Comarca	Vega Baja del Segura
Judicial district	Callosa de Segura
Area
• Total	19.24 km2 (7.43 sq mi)
Elevation	12 m (39 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	8,631
• Density	448.60/km2 (1,161.9/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Catralense
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	03158; and 3349 (road to San Isidro)
Dialing code	+34 (Spain) + 96 (Alicante)
Official language(s)	Spanish
Website	http://www.ayuntamientocatral.com/municipio.php

Catral is a town in the Valencian Community, Spain. It is located in the south of the province of Alicante. This area is part of the Vega Baja del Segura region. In 2007, about 8,105 people lived there.

History of Catral

The beginnings of Catral are not fully known. Even the origin of its name is a bit of a mystery!

What's in a Name?

There are a few ideas about where the name "Catral" came from:

• Some think it's from an ancient language called Iberian. It might mean "double peak," referring to nearby hills.
• Another idea is that it comes from Latin, "Castrum Altum." This means "fortified town."
• A third theory suggests it's from an Arabic word, "Al-Qatrullät."

No matter the origin, Muslim rule over Catral ended in the mid-1200s.

Royal Changes and Independence

In 1255, Prince Alfonso (who later became a king) took Catral for the Crown of Castile (a powerful kingdom in Spain). He gave the land to a knightly group called the Order of Santiago. However, King Alfonso took it back in 1264.

Later, in 1296, Catral became part of the Crown of Aragon, another big kingdom in Spain. This included the southern part of the province where Catral is located.

In the early 1700s, the town's farmland grew a lot. This happened because a leader named Cardinal Belluga helped drain wetlands. This made more land ready for farming.

In 1741, the people of Catral paid a large sum of money. They did this to become an independent town, free from the nearby city of Orihuela.

The Great Earthquake and a Special Saint

In 1829, a big earthquake hit the region. It destroyed many towns. But Catral was lucky and was mostly saved!

Since then, the people of Catral have a special tradition. Every year, they hold a thanksgiving event for Saint Emigdio. He is known as the patron saint who protects against earthquakes. They thank him for keeping their town safe.

Catral's Economy

Catral's economy is a mix of old and new industries.

Farming and Livestock

Farming is very important here. Farmers grow:

• Citrus fruits (like oranges and lemons)
• Artichokes
• Cereals
• Olive trees

These crops grow in orchards. Water from the Segura river reaches them through canals. Raising animals (livestock) also adds to the town's wealth.

Growing Industries

Besides farming, Catral has other growing industries. These include:

• Making furniture
• Distributing goods
• Making textiles (fabrics and clothes)
• Construction
• Making food products
• Working with animal hides (skins)
• Tourism

Distribution Centres

Catral is also a hub for moving goods. It has large buildings for manufacturing, storage, and logistics. These are used by companies like Retro Europe, Vitalgrana, Catral Export Grupo, S.l., and Chili Foot Wear. The Wheeler International distribution centre is also located here. It's close to the main highway, Autopista AP-7.

Population Changes

Catral's population has grown quite a lot since the 1990s. In 2008, the town had 8,629 people living there.

The table below shows how the population of Catral has changed over many years:

Climate

Catral has a pleasant climate. In January, temperatures are usually above 10 degrees Celsius. In July, they are typically around 26 degrees Celsius.

See also

In Spanish: Catral para niños