Province of Valladolid facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids

Valladolid

Province

From top to bottom and from left to right: The Castle of Peñafiel, Canal of Castile, typical landscape of the province, a pine forest, center of a Castilian town, Castle of La Mota and a wine cellar.

Flag	Coat of arms

Map of Spain with Valladolid highlighted

Country

Capital

Area

• Total

8,110 km² (3,130 sq mi)

Area rank

Ranked 28th

1.61% of Spain

Population

(2015)

• Total

526,223

• Rank

Ranked 29th

• Density

64.89/km² (168.05/sq mi)

1.14% of Spain

Demonym(s)

Spanish: Vallisoletano/a

Official language(s)

Spanish

Parliament

Cortes Generales

Website

diputaciondevalladolid.es

Valladolid is a province in northwest Spain. It's located in the central part of the region called Castile and León.

About 526,000 people live here. The province has 225 towns and cities. The main city and capital is Valladolid.

The province shares borders with several other provinces. These include Zamora, León, Palencia, Burgos, Segovia, Ávila, and Salamanca.

History of Valladolid

Early Inhabitants

Long ago, a group of people called the Vaccaei lived here. They were the first known people to settle in the middle Duero River valley. They had a stable presence in this area.

Map of the territory of the Vaccaei, the first people with stable presence on the sector of the middle valley of the Duero River documented in historical times.

Important Historical Events

Valladolid has seen many important events. One was the Revolt of the Comuneros in 1521. This was a big uprising against the king.

Execution of the captains of the comuneros in Villalar in 1521, during the Revolt of the Comuneros.

Famous Explorers

Did you know a famous explorer came from here? Juan Ponce de León was born in Santervás de Campos. He was one of the first Europeans to explore Florida in what is now the United States. He even gave Florida its name!

Juan Ponce de León (Santervás de Campos). He was one of the first Europeans to arrive to the current United States because led the first European expedition to Florida, which he named.

Geography and Nature

Landscape of Valladolid

The province of Valladolid has a typical landscape. You'll see many cultivated fields, especially those using the Open field system. There are also pine forests and beautiful natural areas.

Typical landscape of the province.

Pines in Valladolid.

Mountains and Rivers

The Torozos Mountains are a notable feature. In spring, they are especially green and lovely. The important Douro River also flows through the province.

Torozos Mountains in spring.

The Douro River.

Protected Natural Areas

Valladolid has one special protected area. It's called the Nature Reserve Banks of Castronuño-Vega del Duero. This reserve is a great place to see local wildlife and nature.

The Nature Reserve Banks of Castronuño-Vega del Duero is the only natural area protected in this province. It is crossed by the river Douro.

The Canal of Castile

The Canal of Castile is an old waterway. It was built a long time ago to help transport goods. Today, it's a historic landmark and a peaceful place to visit.

Canal of Castile.

Economy and Agriculture

Farming in Valladolid

Farming is very important in Valladolid. The climate here means that Dryland farming is common. This type of farming relies on natural rainfall.

Cultivated fields (Open field system).

Due to the climate, the predominant crop is Dryland farming.

Variety of Durum wheat (Triticum aestivum). Due to the climate, the predominant crop is dryland farming (barley, wheat, avena, rye ...).

Farmers grow crops like barley, wheat, oats, and rye. You can see many cultivated fields across the province.

Cultivated fields.

Typical field.

Harvest field.

Wine Production

Valladolid is also known for its wine. There are many wineries here. Some wines from this area have a special quality mark called Ribera del Duero.

Barrels of a winery with the Ribera del Duero protected designation of origin.

Industry and Cars

The province has an important industrial history. The first Renault 4CV car made by FASA-Renault in Spain was built here. This factory opened in 1951 and helped the area grow a lot.

The first car of the Renault 4CV manufactured by FASA-Renault at the factory of Valladolid. The factory was opened in 1951.Resulted in a sharp growth in the industrial area.

Cities and Towns

The Capital City

Valladolid city is the capital and the largest city in the province. It has about 298,000 people. It's a lively place with lots to see and do.

Valladolid, with 298,866 people is the capital and the most populous city.

Other Important Towns

Laguna de Duero: This is the second largest town, with over 22,000 people.
Medina del Campo: This town is the third largest, with about 20,000 people.

Laguna de Duero, with 22,645 people is the second most populous municipality.

Medina del Campo, is the third with 20,583 people in 2019.

Most of the 225 towns in the province are quite small.

A typical village in the province.

There are 225 municipalities, the majority are small.

Culture and Landmarks

Amazing Castles

Valladolid is famous for its many historic castles. They tell stories of knights and old kingdoms. Some of the most well-known castles include:

Castle of La Mota
Castle of Peñafiel
Portillo Castle
Castle of Torrelobatón
Simancas Castle
Castillo de Fuensaldaña
Montealegre de Campos Castle

Castle of La Mota.

Castle of Peñafiel, view from Plaza del Coso.

Portillo Castle.

Castle of Torrelobatón.

Simancas Castle.

Castillo de Fuensaldaña.

Montealegre de Campos Castle.

Medieval Towns

Urueña is a beautiful medieval town. It still has its old walls, making it feel like you've stepped back in time.

Walls of Urueña, a medieval town.

Delicious Food

When you visit Valladolid, you must try the local food! Roast lechazo (suckling lamb) and roast suckling pig are very popular dishes.

Roast lechazo, a very typical dish from the province.

Festivals and Arts

Holy Week: The Holy Week processions are a big event. People carry beautiful statues through the streets.

An Holy Week procession.

Calderón Theatre: The Calderón Theatre is a famous place for performances. It's also the main spot for the seminci film festival.

Calderón Theatre is the festival headquarters of seminci.

National Sculpture Museum: This museum in Valladolid has an amazing collection of sculptures.

National Sculpture Museum.

Important Archives

The Archivo General de Simancas (General Archive of Simancas) holds very old and important documents. It's so special that UNESCO has recognized it as a World Heritage Site under its Memory of the World Programme. The Treaty of Tordesillas is one of the famous documents kept here.

A document from the Archivo General de Simancas (General Archive of Simancas). The UNESCO was awarded the distinction of World Heritage Site within its category Memory of the World Programme both to this file as the Treaty of Tordesillas.

Sports

If you like football, you might know about Real Valladolid. This team plays its home games at the José Zorrilla Stadium.

Real Valladolid plays as local in the José Zorrilla Stadium.

Architecture and Buildings

Valladolid has many beautiful old buildings, showing different styles of architecture through history.

Ancient Churches

The Church of San Cipriano in San Cebrián de Mazote is a great example of pre-Romanesque style.
The Church of Our Lady of the Announced in Urueña shows romanesque architecture.

Church of San Cipriano of San Cebrián de Mazote, of preromanesque style.

Church of Our Lady of the Announced of Urueña, example of romanesque architecture.

Gothic and Renaissance Styles

San Pablo Church in Valladolid is a stunning example of Gothic style.
The Cathedral of Valladolid shows Renaissance style, especially the Herrerian design.