Priorat

The comarca of Priorat is located in the province of Tarragona of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia (Spain). The community association has an area of ​​498.6 km ² and 10,024 inhabitants (2009 ). Priory has the lowest population of all Comarcas in Catalonia. The name of the comarca of Priorat is due to the abbot, the prior, was founded in the 12th century Carthusian monastery of Santa Maria d' Escaladei.

Location

The community association is located in the southwestern part of Catalonia, west of the provincial capital city of Tarragona. It is bordered on the north by the Comarca Garrigues, in the northeast of Conca de Barberà, on the west by Baix Camp in the south and east by Ribera d' Ebre. Together with the Comarcas Alt Camp, Baix Camp, Baix Penedès, Conca de Barberà and Tarragonès forms the region 's territory Camp de Tarragona.

The entire Comarca is in the catchment area of ​​the river Siurana and Montsant. The landscape is mostly hilly, north of the comarca of the Montsant mountain range stretches with mountains over 1000 m altitude. The highest elevation is the Comarca de Roca Corbatera ( 1,163 m). In the south, the mountain ranges Serra Para Dell, Llaberia Serra, Serra del Montalt and the mountain Mola de Colldejou located (912 m).

Climate

The climate is continental, dry in summer and cold in winter.

Economy

The Comarca is completely covered by two appellations for wine growing and has a very ancient winemaking tradition. The Carthusian monastery of Santa Maria d' Escaladei devoted himself since its founding in the 12th century the wine. The interior of the Comarca, the " Priory històric " (historic priory ), is one of the Denomination of Origin to (DO) Priory, the rest of the comarca of the Denomination of Origin Montsant.

Any additional important product of agriculture is the olive oil. On about 3,500 acres of growing area average of 4,800 tons and 950 tons of olive oil are produced. Is grown mainly by small olive variety " Arbequina " (95 %). This olive oil has the Protected Designation of Origin Siurana.

The area is also known for its hazelnut cultivation.

The priory suffered in the 20th century under a steady decline in population by rural exodus. In recent times, however, since about 2004, this development ended thanks to the positive economic development.

Communities

Booth: 2009

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