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Valencia (autonomous community) facts for kids

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Localització del País Valencià
Valencia (in green) on a map of Spain
Flag of the Valencian Community (2x3)
The flag of the Valencian Community
Escudo de la Comunidad Valenciana
The coat of arms of the Valencian Community

Valencia, also known officially as the Valencian Community (or sometimes the Valencian Country), is a special region in Spain. It's located on the eastern coast of the country, right by the Mediterranean Sea. About 5 million people live here. The biggest city and capital is Valencia, which has nearly 800,000 residents. Valencia city is also the capital of the Valencia province.

The second-largest city in the Valencian Community is Alicante, with about 332,000 people. It's the capital of the Alicante province. Another important city in Alicante province is Elche, home to 230,000 people and a big center for industries. Castellón, with 180,000 residents, is the capital of the Castellón province.

What is the Valencian Community?

The Valencian Community is one of Spain's 17 "autonomous communities." This means it has its own government and laws, but it's still part of Spain. It's a bit like a state in the USA or a province in Canada. The region has a rich history, once known as the Kingdom of Valencia.

Major Cities and Their Importance

The Valencian Community is home to several important cities, each with its own special features.

Valencia City: The Capital

La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias de Valencia
The amazing City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia

The city of Valencia is the heart of the region. It's a vibrant place where old history meets modern architecture. One of its most famous landmarks is the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), a futuristic complex with museums, an opera house, and an oceanographic park. Valencia is also famous for its delicious paella, a traditional Spanish rice dish.

Alicante: A Coastal Gem

NAT-Aeropuerto-Alicante-(feb-2010)
The new terminal being built at Alicante Airport

Alicante is a popular coastal city known for its beautiful beaches and warm weather. It's a major tourist destination, especially for people looking for sun and sea. The city also has a busy port and an international airport, making it an important gateway to the region. The Alicante light tram helps people get around the city easily.

Elche: The Palm City

Palmeral de Elche 07
The famous Palm Grove of Elche

Elche is unique because it has a huge palm grove, the Elche palm grove, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's one of the largest palm groves in Europe! Besides its natural beauty, Elche is a strong industrial city, especially known for its shoe manufacturing.

Castellón: Northern Gateway

Castellón de la Plana is the capital of the northernmost province of the Valencian Community. It's a city with a mix of industrial activity and cultural heritage. It serves as an important hub for the northern part of the region.

Culture and Traditions

The Valencian Community has a unique culture, influenced by its history and location.

Valencian Language

While Spanish is spoken everywhere, the region also has its own language called Valencian. It's very similar to Catalan and is spoken by many people, especially in the central and northern parts of the region. Both Spanish and Valencian are official languages.

Festivals and Celebrations

The Valencian Community is famous for its lively festivals.

  • Las Fallas: This is one of the most spectacular festivals, held in Valencia city in March. Huge artistic figures (fallas) are built and then burned in a grand display of fireworks.
  • Muixeranga: In towns like Algemesí, you can see Muixeranga human towers, where people stand on each other's shoulders to form tall, impressive structures. This is part of the Festival of Our Lady of Health.

Traditional Sports

Trinquet-Eliana01
A game of Valencian pilota

A traditional sport unique to the region is Valencian pilota. It's a handball game played in special courts called trinquets. It's a fast-paced and exciting sport that's deeply rooted in Valencian culture.

Images for kids

  • Tossal-plantagral

    Archeological site of Tossal de Manises, ancient Iberian–Greek–Carthaginian–Roman city of Akra Leuke or Lucentum, Alicante.

  • Land of Valencia, NASA satellite image

    Satellite picture of the Valencian Community; the dry area in the South is easily noticed. Original by NASA

  • Palau generalitat9

    Palau de la Generalitat Valenciana, seat of the Valencian government

  • EstaciónAVEValenciaJoaquínSorolla

    Provisional station of Valencia

  • RTVVexecutada

    Employees demonstrate in front of the RTVV headquarters in Burjassot the day of its closure.

  • Escut- del País Valencià als Torres dels Serrans

    Valencian coat of arms over the entrance of Serranos Towers

  • Cala de Finestrat 2006

    Finestrat

  • Calp Beach - panoramio (1)

    Rock of Ifac in Calp

  • Altamira Elche 01

    Altamira Palace, Elche

  • Plaça Major de Sant Mateu

    Sant Mateu

  • Torrent. Casa de Cultura

    Torrent

  • Processó de la Mare de Déu de la Salut d'Algemesí

    Muixeranga human tower at La Mare de Déu de la Salut Festival' of Algemesí

  • Mare de Déu de la Salut 15

    Valencian espardenya

  • Falleras desfilando en la Falla Illes Canàries-Lo Rat Penat 2017

    Valencian women with traditional dress and hair

  • Los Falleros de la Falla Lo Rat Penal se reunen para dar ofrenda a La Virgen 2017

    A historical Valencian men costume the Xaraguell

  • Mare de Déu de la Salut 28

    Tabaleter with typical Valencian drums

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Comunidad Valenciana para niños

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