Torrevieja

Torrevieja is a city in southeastern Spain, on the Costa Blanca, which has become famous for its salt production. On 1 January 2013 105,205 inhabitants were registered.

Geography

Torrevieja is part of the comarca of Vega Baja del Segura of the province of Alicante in the Valencian Community. Torrevieja is located in the Spanish speaking world. Although Torrevieja lies outside the traditional Valencian - Catalan language area, the city of bilingualism to stand out as a tourist southernmost island language (also the southernmost bonfire ) was enacted.

History

The former fishing village arose with the elimination of Orihuela in 1820. It takes its name from an old watchtower (Spanish torre, "tower" and vieja, " old " ), the foundations of which are still preserved today. Already in 1829 Torrevieja was largely destroyed by a major earthquake. Rebuilt, it was not until the early 1970s, an insignificant community. By the beginning of tourism on the Costa Blanca got the city in 1970 counted 11,000 residents, a development thrust.

First small settlements ( housing developments ) emerged, and the onset of tourism was met with a building boom, Torrevieja within just thirty years to a city with 100,000 inhabitants ( 2007) swelled. Responsible for this " gigantism " is mainly the mayor Pedro Hernandez Mateo, who belongs to the conservative Popular Party PP and thought to be involved in several corruption scandals. He is under investigation by the Spanish prosecutor who brought charges against him in court. With insider knowledge and dubious land transactions he allegedly gewirtschaftet million euros in his pocket, according to the indictment the prosecutor. Today Torrevieja is a multicultural city, whose inhabitants to 52.7 percent (a 13/05/2010 ) foreigners from 117 different nations (mainly British, German, Swiss and Russians ). In the holiday season ( July and August ) the number of residents in the short term is likely to exceed the one million mark. During these months, in addition to spend many hundreds of thousands of " domestic Spaniard ", mainly from the metropolitan area of Madrid, the summer holidays in their apartments and homes on the Costa Blanca.

Climate

Last but not least was the pleasant coastal climate (320 days sunshine ) contributed to the rapid growth, the Torrevieja in Spain to Boomtown are experiencing. This climate attracts many rheumatism, heart and asthma patients and people suffering from psoriasis here. The two large salt lakes of Torrevieja and La Mata ( a district of Torrevieja) combine with the sea air that Torrevieja is one of the climatically healthiest parts of Europe. Especially enjoyable are the temperatures in the winter. On particularly nice days in December and January, temperatures can ever exceed the 20 ° C mark.

Population

31 December 2012 Torrevieja counted 107 009 inhabitants. Torrevieja is a multicultural place where more foreign citizens live as Spaniards. It is a melting pot of 121 different nationalities who live there.

The nationality Figures at a Glance (as of 31 December 2012): 1 49,680 Spaniards ( against a total of 57 329 foreigners ) 2 13,226 3 4,474 Russians Englishman 4 4,079 5 3,196 German Sweden 6 3,076 7 2,788 Moroccans Bulgarians 8 2623 Romanians 9 2404 Norwegian 10 2,169 11 1,591 Ukrainians Belgians 12 1,360 13 1,312 Finns Columban 14 1,195 15 1,035 Irish Italian 16 908 Chinese 17 814 18 752 Lithuanians Ecuadorians 675 19 Poland 20 21 652 Dutch. 629 French 22 23 565 579 Argentinian Brazilian

These residents come from Cuba, India, Switzerland, Algeria, Senegal, Denmark, Paraguay, Israel, Egypt, Nepal, Australia, the USA, Kenya, Vietnam, Sierra Leone, Malaysia, Haiti, Sudan, Mozambique, Mexico, Bangladesh and Cyprus as well as other countries.

Tourist

Salt lagoons

Torrevieja is situated between two lakes and the Mediterranean in a great level. The lagoons are a haven for rare water birds. Internationally known for its salt production Torrevieja is one of the most important in Europe. The tour of the salt flats has been set in 2012. The operation of such can also be observed in the saline at Santa Pola from the street. Two large salt lagoons are a landmark of this tourist destination.

Beaches

The area boasts some splendid beaches, which in combination with the traditional fishery and salt production for the development of tourism. The coast begins in the north with the popular " Mata " beach, with fine sand. The beautiful coves of " El Mojon " and " Las Zorras " are particularly noteworthy. At the popular and lively beaches, " La Mata ", " Los Locos " and " Del Cura ", runs along a beach promenade.

Parque Aromatico

On July 3, 2009, between Avenida Torreblanca and Avenida Corinto, near the N332 opens (adjacent to the settlements Alto Mar and Torremata ) of the Parque Aromático. At around 70,000 square meters, the Catalan landscape gardener and architect Carmen Piños has for about 2 million euros invested by the city of Torrevieja and the Valencian Ministry of Tourism, created a park that invites you to a fragrance experience. By lavender, rosemary, thyme, jasmine, sage, etc. This park was a true " aromatherapy ". Pine trees and bougainvillea and steel pergolas and tortuous paths of limestone round this as of yet. In addition, children's playgrounds have been built. In planning, but not yet completed, are fountains and water fountains and curved benches. The Mayor Pedro Hernández Mateo, who has launched this project five years ago, said, " The park has a touch of romanticism ." Watered the park with aufgefangenem rainwater and drip irrigation using treated water of sewage treatment plant. To protect against vandalism, the park is completely fenced. The opening times of the aroma park in summer 9-24 clock, in the winter the park is already closed by 20 clock.

Culture

The city gives the Premio de Novela Ciudad de Torrevieja - Literature Prize.