La Carlota, Spain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Carlota
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 La Carlota
Location in Spain
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| Country | Spain | ||
| Autonomous community | Andalusia | ||
| Province | Córdoba | ||
| Comarca | Valle Medio del Guadalquivir | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 78.97 km2 (30.49 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 228 m (748 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 14,067 | ||
| • Density | 178.131/km2 (461.36/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Carloteños | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postal code |
14100
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La Carlota is a small group of towns and villages in the southern part of Spain. It is located close to the city of Córdoba. In 2018, about 14,000 people lived there. Most of the area is countryside, covering about 80 square kilometers.
Contents
What is the Terrain and Weather Like in La Carlota?
La Carlota is found in the countryside of Córdoba. It sits southwest of the big city of Córdoba. The area is part of the Guadalquivir River valley. It also includes flat areas next to the river.
The land here is soft and gently rolling. There are no very steep hills. You can sometimes see mountains far away. The main way people make a living is through farming. They grow crops like cereals, olives, grapes, sunflowers, sugar beet, and cotton.
The weather in La Carlota is typical for inland Spain. Summers are very hot. Winters are called semifrías (semi-cold) by local people. But visitors from colder places might find them quite nice. The area does not get much rain, usually less than 600 millimeters a year. This means there isn't a lot of water.
When Was La Carlota Founded?
La Carlota was started in 1767. King Charles III of Spain wanted to settle empty areas. These areas were in the Guadalquivir valley and Sierra Morena. This big plan created three main settlement areas. These were La Carolina (in Jaén), La Carlota (in Córdoba), and La Luisiana (in Seville).
The goal was to make the roads safer from small groups of bandits. It also aimed to start productive farms again. About 6,000 Catholic settlers came from Germany and Flanders. Some people from Catalonia and Valencia also joined them. Around 1,600 of these new settlers came to La Carlota.
This is why many people in La Carlota have Central European last names. They also have some features from those regions. Local favorite foods include pork stew and sausages boiled in wine. Settlers were given farmland, a house, farm animals, and tools. They also did not have to pay taxes for ten years.
French ideas also influenced the area. This led to the local government using "departments" instead of villages. Also, most of the main town and its villages have streets laid out in a grid. This means roads and lanes cross at right angles.
What Can You Do for Fun in La Carlota?
About 6 kilometers north of La Carlota is Spain's longest "Via Verde." This means 'Railway Path' in English. It used to be a railway line but closed in 1970. This path gently goes through the countryside. You will see fields of sunflowers and olive trees. It stretches for over 90 km (56 mi).
The "Via Verde" connects the southwest edge of Córdoba to Marchena in Seville. Many tourists visit the path in spring. This is when many wildflowers bloom. Electric bicycles now make it easier to enjoy the path in different types of weather.
In recent years, new off-road hiking trails have been mapped. There are six trails around La Carlota. Three more trails start from La Chica Carlota.
Further away, about 30 km (19 mi) to the north, is the Parque Natural Sierra de Hornachuelos. This is a National Park. It is one of the best-preserved areas of Mediterranean forest near rivers. Oak trees are very common here. About 90 km (56 mi) to the south is the closest beach. This is at Málaga.
What Cultural Events Happen in La Carlota?
La Carlota celebrates many cultural events throughout the year. These events often include local traditions and history.
- Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos: This parade happens on January 5th. It celebrates the Three Wise Men.
- La Candelaria: Celebrated on February 1st and 2nd.
- Día de Andalucía: Andalusia Day is on February 28th.
- Feria del libro: A book fair held on April 24th.
- Fiesta del día de la Cruz: This festival is on May 3rd. It includes the fair and festivities of Aldea Quintana.
- Romería de San Isidro: A pilgrimage on May 15th.
- San Pedro y San Pablo: The fair and festivals of Montealto on June 29th.
- Feria y Fiestas de la paz: A fair and festival on July 1st.
- Día de la Colonización: This special day is on July 5th. It celebrates the arrival of the first settlers.
- Mercado Colono local: A local settler's market on the second weekend of July.
- Feria y Fiesta de Los Algarbes: A fair and festival on July 16th.
- Santiago Apóstol: The fair and festivals of El Garabato on July 25th.
- Día de la Virgen de los Ángeles: The fair and festivals of Las Pinedas on August 2nd.
- Virgen del Tránsito y Virgen de Agosto: Fairs and festivals of La Chica Carlota and El Rinconcillo on August 15th.
- Verbena del Emigrante: A summer festival on August 28th.
- Feria y Fiestas de la Fuencubierta: A fair and festival on August 30th.
- Fiestas del Santísimo Cristo de la Misercordia: Festivals from September 14th to 17th.
- Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario: This honors the patron saint of La Carlota on October 7th.
- Día de la Constitución: Constitution Day is on December 6th.
The Dia de la Colonizacion ('Day of the Colonists') is a big event. It happens every year on July 5th. It remembers when the new settlers from northern Europe arrived. There is a cultural festival, a market that looks like it's from the 1700s, and a flamenco dance contest.
Images for kids
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A robot, representing the future of agriculture.
