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Vega de Tera
Construcción en La Milla de Tera.jpg
Country  Spain
Autonomous community  Castile and León
Province  Zamora
Municipality Vega de Tera
Area
 • Total 44 km2 (17 sq mi)
Population
 (2018)
 • Total 346
 • Density 7.86/km2 (20.37/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)

Vega de Tera is a small town in the province of Zamora, located in the region of Castile and León, Spain. It is a "municipality," which means it's a local area with its own government. In 2004, about 470 people lived there. By 2018, the population was around 346.

Exploring Vega de Tera's Location

Vega de Tera is part of the Benavente and Los Valles region. It is about 79 kilometers (around 49 miles) away from Zamora, the capital city of the province.

Roads and Rivers

The main roads, the A-52 highway and the N-525 national road, pass through the area. The land here is mostly flat. The Tera river flows through the southeastern part of the municipality. Part of the Nuestra Señora del Agavanzal reservoir is also within its borders. The highest point is about 855 meters (2,805 feet) above sea level. The lowest point, near the Tera River, is 736 meters (2,415 feet). The town itself sits at 749 meters (2,457 feet) high.

Nearby Villages

The municipality of Vega de Tera includes three other small villages:

  • Calzada de Tera: This village is about 4 km (2.5 miles) from Vega de Tera. It has a church dedicated to San Jorge and a small chapel for San Vicente Mártir.
  • Junquera de Tera: Located 3 km (1.9 miles) from Vega de Tera. It is known for its 'El Rollo' square, a park, and a church.
  • Milla de Tera: This village is 4 km (2.5 miles) from Vega de Tera. Like Junquera, its most important building is its parish church.

A Look at Vega de Tera's Past

Vega de Tera has a long history. In the Middle Ages, the area was part of the Kingdom of León. The kings of León likely helped establish the town.

Modern Times and New Borders

Later, during the Modern Age, Vega de Tera was part of the "Lands of the Count of Benavente." This was a large area controlled by a powerful count. In 1833, Spain reorganized its provinces. Vega de Tera then became part of the province of Zamora. This province is within the Leonese Region. By 1834, it was included in the judicial district of Benavente, which is a legal and administrative area.

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in Vega de Tera has changed a lot over the years. This table shows how the population has grown and shrunk:

Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1900 1,171 —    
1910 1,227 +4.8%
1920 1,275 +3.9%
1930 1,241 −2.7%
1940 1,287 +3.7%
1950 1,301 +1.1%
Year Pop. ±%
1960 1,214 −6.7%
1970 991 −18.4%
1981 775 −21.8%
1991 629 −18.8%
1996 549 −12.7%
2001 496 −9.7%
Year Pop. ±%
2005 459 −7.5%
2011 406 −11.5%
2013 391 −3.7%
2017 360 −7.9%

Fun Festivals and Traditions

Vega de Tera celebrates several important festivals throughout the year. These events bring the community together.

San Antonio Festival

On January 17th, the town celebrates the festival of San Antonio. A different neighbor, called a "butler," helps pay for the celebrations each year. They collect money or gifts from other neighbors. These gifts are then sold to raise money for religious events and other fun activities. Everyone in the town is invited to enjoy wine and pickles in the town square.

San Pelayo Patron Saint Day

The main town festival is on June 26th, honoring San Pelayo. There is a special church service and a procession where a statue of the Saint is carried through the streets. Sometimes, traditional dance groups from the capital city perform. In the evening, a music group plays for everyone to enjoy.

Cultural Week in August

During the second week of August, the "San Facundo Cultural Association" organizes many activities. This group is made up of people from the town, including many who live in other cities like Madrid or Barcelona. They use their own money to fund the events.

Games and Sports

The Cultural Week includes traditional games like "the bald" (a local game), frog, petanque, and olive pit throwing. There are also board games such as chess, Parcheesi, and checkers. Card game contests, like "tute" and "brisca," are very popular. Sports competitions are held for all ages, including ping-pong, football, paddle tennis, volleyball, and water polo.

Food and Fun

During this week, outdoor dinners are common. People often cook game meat over a wood fire. There's also an omelette contest using local eggs and potatoes. A music group and bouncy castles add to the festive atmosphere. These August celebrations help keep the town lively. They are a special time for people of all ages to visit and connect with their roots in Vega de Tera.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Vega de Tera para niños

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