Alicante

Alicante (Castillian Spanish) or Alacant (Valencian Catalan) is the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of the Alacantí, in the southern part of the Land of Valencia, Spain, a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 316,000, estimated as of 2004, of the entire urban area, 405,000. Population of the metropolitan area (including satellite towns) was 680,000 as of 2004 estimates, ranking as the eighth-largest metropolitan area of Spain.

Related Topics:
Castillian Spanish - Valencian Catalan - Alicante - Comarca - Alacantí - Land of Valencia - Spain - Mediterranean - As of 2004 - Metropolitan area

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Alicante is one of the fastest-growing cities in Spain. Its economy is based upon tourism in the beaches from Costa Blanca coast, wine production, services and administration. It exports wine, olive oil, and fruit, and has light industries, including food-processing, leather, textiles, and pottery. turrones (torrons in Catalan) —a honey and almond nougat—is a food specialty of Alicante.

Related Topics:
Costa Blanca - Wine - Turrones - Nougat

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The city has regular ferry services to the Balearic Islands, and an international airport is nearby. It is strongly fortified, with a spacious harbor. Amongst the most notable features of the city is its castle, the "Castillo de Santa Barbara", which sits high above the city upon a cliff. The most important festival, the Bonfires of Saint John, takes place at the time of the summer solstice, and they are declared of international touristic interest. Another well-known festival is Moros y Cristianos in any quarter of the city, such as Altozano or Saint Blase.

Related Topics:
Ferry - Balearic Islands - Castle - Bonfires of Saint John - Summer solstice - Moros y Cristianos

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The city is the headquarters of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market.

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