Murcia
—  Municipality  —
Flag Coat of arms
Murcia Location in Spain
Coordinates: 37°59′10″N 1°7′49″W / 37.98611°N 1.13028°W / 37.98611; -1.13028Coordinates: 37°59′10″N 1°7′49″W / 37.98611°N 1.13028°W / 37.98611; -1.13028
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Murcia
Province	Murcia
Comarca	Huerta de Murcia
Judicial district	Murcia
Founded	Between 825 and 831
Government
• Alcalde	Miguel Ángel Cámara Botía (2007) (PP)
Area
• Total	881.86 km2 (340.49 sq mi)
Elevation	43 m (141 ft)
Population (2010)
• Total	442,573
• Density	500/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Demonym	Murciano, na
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	30001 to 30012
Official language(s)
Website	Official website

Murcia (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmurθja]), a major city in south-eastern Spain, is the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, and the seventh largest city in the country, with a population of 442,573 inhabitants in 2009 (about one third of the total population of the Region). The population of the metropolitan area was 689,591 in 2010. It is located on the Segura River, in the Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, noted by a mild climate with hot summers, tepid winters and scarce precipitation.

Murcia was founded by the emir of Cordoba Abd ar-Rahman II in 825 AD with the name Mursiya مورسيا and is now mainly a services city and a university town. Highlights for visitors include the Cathedral of Murcia and a number of baroque buildings, renowned local cuisine, Holy Week processions, works of art by the famous Murcia sculptor Francisco Salzillo, and the Fiestas de Primavera (Spring Festival).

The city, as the capital of the comarca Huerta de Murcia is called Europe’s orchard due to its long agricultural tradition and as a fruits, vegetables and flowers producer and exporter.

Geography[link]

The Segura valley where Murcia is located

Murcia is located near the center of a low-lying fertile plain known as the huerta (orchard or vineyard) of Murcia. The Segura River and its right-hand tributary, the Guadalentín, run through the area. The city has an elevation of 43 metres (141 ft) above sea level and covers approximately 882 square kilometres (341 sq mi).

The best known and most dominant aspect of the municipal area's landscape is the orchard. In addition to the orchard and urban zones( Alfonso x, Gran Via, Jaime I, and others), the great expanse of the municipal area is made up of different landscapes: badlands, groves of Carrasco pine trees in the precoastal mountain ranges and, towards the south, a semi-steppe region.

A large regional park, the Parque Regional de Carrascoy y el Valle, lies just to the south of the city.

Segura River[link]

The Segura River crosses an alluvial plain (Vega Media del Segura), part of a Mediterranean pluvial system. The river crosses the city from west to east. Its volumetric flow is mostly small but the river is known to produce occasional flooding, like those that inundated the capital in 1946, 1948, 1973 or 1989. The Segura was recognized as one of the most polluted rivers in Europe.^[1]

Mountains and hills[link]

The terrain owes its varied character to the mountain ranges of the south (Cordillera Sur). The Region of Murcia is surrounded by two mountain ranges, the Sierra de Orihuela and the Cresta de Gallo. The city itself is divided into eastern and western zones by a series of mountain ranges (Carrascoy, El Puerto, Villares, Columbares, Altaona, and Escalona). These two zones are known as Field of Murcia and Orchard of Murcia. Near the plain's center, the steep hill of Monteagudo protrudes dramatically.

Districts[link]

The 881.86-square-kilometre (340.49 sq mi) territory of Murcia's municipality is made up of 54 pedanías (suburban districts) and 28 barrios (city neighbourhood districts). The barrios make up the 12.86-square-kilometre (4.97 sq mi) the main urban portion of the city. The historic city center is approximately 3 square kilometres (1 sq mi) of the urbanized downtown portion of Murcia.

Climate[link]

Murcia has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh),^[2] with Mediterranean (Csa) influences. Given its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, it is commonly referred to as a "semi-arid Mediterranean climate", with mild winters and warm to hot summers.

It averages more than 300 days of sun per year^{[citation needed]}. Occasionally, Murcia has heavy rains where the precipitation for the entire year will fall over the course of a few days.

During winter, the average daily temperature range is a high of 16 °C (61 °F) during the day and a low of 4 °C (39 °F) at night. In summer, the range goes from 34 °C (93 °F) during the day to 20 °C (68 °F) at night. Temperatures almost always reach or exceed 40 °C (104 °F) on at least one or two days per year. In fact, Murcia holds temperature records close to the highest recorded in southern Europe since reliable meteorological records commenced in 1950. The official record for Murcia stands at a stifling 46.1 °C (115.0 °F), at Alcantarilla airport in the western suburbs on July 4, 1994 with 45.7 °C (114.3 °F) being recorded at a station near the city centre on the same day.

Precipitation in Murcia is scarce, with the period from October 2004 through September 2005 registering less than 200 mm.

History[link]

It is widely believed that Murcia's name is derived from the Latin words of Myrtea or Murtea, meaning land of Myrtle (the plant is known to grow in the general area), although it may also be a derivation of the word Murtia, which would mean Murtius Village (Murtius was a common Roman name). Other research suggests that it may owe its name to the Latin Murtae (Mulberry), which covered the regional landscape for many centuries. The Latin name eventually changed into the Arabic Mursiya, and then, Murcia.

Trapería Street in the old town

The city in its present location was founded with the name Medinat Mursiya (city of Murcia) in AD 825 by Abd ar-Rahman II, who was then the emir of Córdoba. Muslims planners, taking advantage of the course of the river Segura, created a complex network of irrigation channels that made the town's agricultural existence prosperous. In the 12th century the traveler and writer Muhammad al-Idrisi described the city of Murcia as populous and strongly fortified. After the fall of the Caliphate of Cordoba in 1031, Murcia passed under the successive rules of the powers seated variously at Almería, Toledo and Seville. After the fall of Almoravide empire, Muhammad Ibn Mardanis made Murcia capital of an independent kingdom. At this time, Murcia was a very prosperous city, famous for its ceramics, exported to Italian towns, as well as for silk and paper industries, the first in Europe. The coinage of Murcia was considered as model in all the continent. The mystic Ibn Arabi (1165–1240), and the poets Ibn al-Jinan (d.1214) and Ibn Hazmun were born in Murcia during this period.

In 1172 Murcia was taken by the Almohades, and from 1223 to 1243 it briefly served as the capital of an independent kingdom. By the treaty of Alcaraz, in 1243, Alfonso X of Castile made Murcia a protectorate, getting access to Mediterrannean sea while Murcia was protected against Granada and Aragon. But the town became rapidly colonized by Christians from almost all parts of the Iberian Peninsula. These Christian populations were brought to the area with the goal of establishing a Christian base here, one that would be loyal to the Crown of Castile and whose culture would supplant that of the subjugated Muslim peoples. During the process of Christianization, many of the city’s mosques were destroyed or converted into Catholic churches.. That is why a revolt spread in 1264-6. In 1296, James II of Aragon conquered the city. In 1304, it was finally incorporated into Castile under the Treaty of Torrellas.

Murcia lost then its prosperity but flourished again in the 18th century, benefiting greatly from a boom in the silk industry. Many of the modern city's landmark churches and monuments date from this period of nascent mercantilism. However, this was to be followed by nearly a century of mishap. In 1810, Murcia was looted by Napoleonic troops; it then suffered a major earthquake in 1829. According to contemporaneous accounts, an estimated 6,000 people died from the disaster's effects across the province. Plague and cholera followed.

The town and surrounding area suffered badly from floods in 1651, 1879, and 1907, though the construction of a levee helped to stave off the repeated floods from the Segura. A popular pedestrian walkway, the Malecon, runs along the top of the levee.

Murcia has been the capital of the province of Murcia since 1838 and, with its creation by the central government in 1982, capital of the autonomous community (which includes only the city and the province). Since then, it has become the seventh most populated municipality in Spain, and a thriving services city.

On May 11, 2011, the city and surrounding area was struck by a 5.3 magnitude earthquake. At least 4 people were reported to have died as a result of the earthquake.^[5]

Demographics[link]

Cathedral of Murcia

The town hall

Murcia's oldest bridge: Puente de los Peligros

Casa Cerdá in Santo Domingo square

Casino of Murcia

Murcia has 433,850 inhabitants (INE 2008) making it the seventh-largest Spanish municipality by population. When adding in the municipalities of Alcantarilla, Alguazas, Beniel, Molina de Segura, Santomera, and Las Torres de Cotillas, the metropolitan area has 564,036 inhabitants making it the twelfth most populous metropolitan area in Spain. Nevertheless, due to Murcia's large municipal territory, its population density (472 hab./km², 760 hab./sq.mi.) does not likewise rank among Spain's highest.

According to the official population data of the INE, 10% of the population of the municipality reported belonging to a foreign nationality as of 2005.

The majority of the population identify as Christian. There is also a sizeable Muslim population as well as a growing Jewish community.

Main sights[link]

The Cathedral of Murcia was built between 1394 and 1465 in the Castilian Gothic style. Its tower was completed in 1792 and shows a blend of architectural styles. The first two stories were built in the Renaissance style (1521–1546), while the third is Baroque. The bell pavilion exhibits both Rococo and Neoclassical influences. The main façade (1736–1754) is considered a masterpiece of the Spanish Baroque style.

Other noteworthy buildings in the square shared by the Cathedral (Plaza Cardenal Belluga) are the colorful Bishop's Palace (18th century) and a controversial extension to the town hall by Rafael Moneo (built in 1999).

The Glorieta, which lies on the banks of the Segura River, has traditionally been the center of the town. It is a pleasant, landscaped city square that was constructed during the 18th century. The ayuntamiento (city hall) of Murcia is located in this square.

Pedestrian areas cover most of the old town of the city, which is centered around Platería and Trapería Streets. Trapería goes from the Cathedral to the Plaza de Santo Domingo, formerly a bustling market square. Located in Trapería is the Casino, a social club erected in 1847, with a sumptuous interior that includes a Moorish-style patio inspired by the royal chambers of the Alhambra near Granada. The name Plateria refers to plata (silver), as this street was the historical focus for the commerce of rare metals by Murcia's Jewish community. The other street, Traperia, refers to trapos, or cloths, as this was once the focus for the Jewish community's garment trade.

Several bridges of different styles span the river Segura, from the Puente de los Peligros, eighteenth century stone bridge with a Lady chapel on one of its side; to modern bridges designed by Santiago Calatrava or Javier Manterola; through others as the Puente Nuevo an iron bridge of the early twentieth century

Other notable places around Murcia include:

• Santa Clara monastery, Gothic and Baroque monument where is located a Museum with the Moorish palace's remains from the 13th century, called Alcázar Seguir.
• The Malecón boulevard, a former retaining wall for the Río Segura's floods.
• La Fuensanta sanctuary and adjacent El Valle regional park.
• Los Jerónimos monastery (18th century).
• Romea theatre (19th century).
• Almudí Palace (17th century), a historic building with coats of arms on its façade. On its interior there are Tuscan columns, and since 1985 it hosts the city archives and usually houses exhibitions.
• Monteagudo Castle (11th century).
• Salzillo Museum.
• San Juan de Dios church-museum, Baroque and Rococo circular church with the remains of the Moorish palace mosque from the 12th century in the basament, called Alcázar Nasir.

In the metropolitan area are also the Azud de la Contraparada reservoir and the Noria de La Ñora water wheel.

Festivals[link]

The Holy Week procession hosted by the city is among the most famous throughout Spain. This traditional festival portrays the events which lead up to and include the Crucifixion according to the New Testament. Life-sized, finely detailed sculptures by Francisco Salzillo (1707–1783) are removed from their museums and carried around the city in elegant processions amid flowers and, at night, candles, pausing at stations which are meant to re-enact the final moments before the crucifixion of Jesus.

The most colorful festival in Murcia may come one week after Holy Week, when locals dress up in traditional huertano clothing to celebrate the Bando de la Huerta (Orchard parade) on Tuesday and fill the streets for the Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) parade the following Saturday.

Murcia's Three Cultures International Festival happens each May and was first organized with the intent of overcoming racism and xenophobia in the culture. The festival seeks to foster understanding and reconciliation between the three cultures that have cohabited the peninsula for centuries, if not millennia: Christians, Jews^[6] and Muslims. Each year, the festival celebrates these three cultures through music, exhibitions, symposiums and conferences.^[7]

Economy[link]

Murcia serves as a major producer of agricultural products; it is common to find Murcia's tomatoes and lettuce, and especially lemons and oranges, in European supermarkets. Murcia is a producer of wines, with about 100,000 acres (40,469 ha) devoted to grape vineyards. Most of the vineyards are located in Ricote and Jumilla. Jumilla is a plateau where the vineyards are surrounded by mountains.

Murcia is a centre for industry, with many British and American companies choosing it as a location for satellite factories, such as Henry Milward & Sons (which manufactures surgical and knitting needles), American firms like General Electric and Paramount Park Studios.

Recently, the economy of the region is turning towards "residential tourism" in which people from northern European countries have a second home in the area. Europeans and Americans are able to learn Spanish in the academies in the town center.

The economy of Murcia is supported by fairs and congresses, museums, theatres, cinema, music, aquariums, bullfighting, restaurants, hotels, camping, sports, foreign students, and tourism.

Transportation[link]

By plane

Murcia-San Javier Airport (MJV) is located on the edge of the Mar Menor close to the town of San Javier, 45 kilometres (28 mi) southeast of Murcia. There is also an airport at the neighboring city of Alicante 70 kilometres (43 mi) from Murcia. Furthermore, there is a new airport in development to be located in the town of Corvera, 23 km from Murcia. The new International airport of the Region de Murcia will be privately owned, and be directed mainly at low-cost airlines.

By bus

Bus service is provided by LatBus, which operates the urban bus and other interurban services.

By tram

Tramways are managed by Tranvimur. As of 2007, 2 kilometres of line were available, with 4 more lines scheduled to be built.

By train

Train connections are provided by RENFE. Murcia has a railway station called Murcia del Carmen, located in the neighborhood of the same name. Several long-distance lines link the city with Madrid, through Albacete, as well as Valencia, and Cataluña up to Montpellier in France. Murcia is also the center of a local network. The line C-1 connects the city to Alicante, and the line C-2 connects Murcia to Alcantarilla, Lorca and Águilas. It also has two regional lines connecting it to Cartagena and Valencia.

Healthcare[link]

The hospitals and other public primary healthcare centers belong to the Murcian Healthcare Service. There are three public hospitals in Murcia:

• Ciudad Sanitaria Virgen de La Arrixaca in El Palmar that includes obstetrics and paediatrics units
• Hospital Reina Sofía
• Hospital Morales Meseguer
• Hospital Virgen de la Vega, owned by ASISA

Education[link]

University of Murcia

University of Murcia (cloister)

Murcia has two universities:

• one public university: the University of Murcia, founded in 1912.
• one private university: the UCAM, Saint Anthony Catholic University.

There are several high schools, elementary schools, and professional schools. Murcia has three types of schools for children: private schools such as El Limonar International School, Murcia (an English language school), semi-private schools (concertado), which are private schools that receive government funding and sometimes offer religious instruction, and public schools such as Colegio Publico (CP) San Pablo or the centenary CP Cierva Peñafiel, one of the oldest ones.

The private schools and concertados can be religious (Catholic) or secular, but the public schools are strictly secular. Concertado schools fill a need by providing schools where the government isn't able to or predate the national school system.

Instituto Licenciado Cascales is one of the oldest in the city, built in 1724, and perhaps the most emblematic.

Notable people[link]

• Muhyī al-Dīn Ibn al-‘Arabī (1165–1240), Sufi master and author
• Abul Abbas al-Mursi (1219–1286) Sufi mystic
• Diego de Saavedra Fajardo (1584–1648), writer and diplomat
• Francisco Salzillo (1707–1783), Baroque sculptor
• José Moñino, conde de Floridablanca (1728–1808), statesman, minister of King Charles III of Spain
• Julián Romea (1818–1863), theatre actor
• Juan de la Cierva (1895–1936), inventor of the autogyro, a forerunner of the helicopter
• Francisco Sánchez Bautista (1925–), poet
• Charo (1931–), musician, actress and entertainer
• Maria Teresa Chicote (1935–), scientist
• Enrique Máximo García (1954–2008), musicologist, chemist, investigator and historian
• Alejandro Valverde (1980–), cyclist
• Nicolás Almagro (1985–), tennis player
• Ruth Lorenzo (1982–), contestant in The X Factor
• Juan Valera (1984–), Atlético Madrid footballer and 2010 Murcia sportsman of the year
• Alberto López Florenciano, pimp/engineer

Sport teams[link]

• Real Murcia — Spanish Second Division football
• CF Atlético Ciudad — Segunda División B (Group 2) football
• CB Murcia — Liga ACB basketball
• ElPozo Murcia Turística FS — futsal
• The Hispania Racing F1 Team is also based in Murcia, and receives sponsorship from the tourist board
• CAV Murcia 2005— Superliga Femenina de Voleibol volleyball

Twin towns - sister cities[link]

Murcia is twinned with:

• Lecce, Italy
• Grasse, France
• Irapuato, Mexico
• Murcia, Philippines
• Łódź, Poland, since 1999 ^[8]

See also[link]

• Kingdom of Murcia

References[link]

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

Notes

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Murcia

• Official Tourism Site of the City of Murcia
• Official Tourism Site of Murcia, Spain
• (Spanish) Ayuntamiento de Murcia (the Town Hall)

v t e Municipalities in the Region of Murcia Abanilla Abarán Águilas Albudeite Alcantarilla Los Alcázares Aledo Alguazas Alhama de Murcia Archena Beniel Blanca Bullas Calasparra Campos del Río Caravaca de la Cruz Cartagena Cehegín Ceutí Cieza Fortuna Fuente Álamo de Murcia Jumilla Librilla Lorca Lorquí Mazarrón Molina de Segura Moratalla Mula Murcia Ojós Pliego Puerto Lumbreras Ricote San Javier San Pedro del Pinatar Santomera Torre-Pacheco Las Torres de Cotillas Totana Ulea La Unión Villanueva del Río Segura Yecla

v t e Capitals of provinces of Spain A Coruña Albacete Alicante Almería Ávila Badajoz Barcelona Bilbao Burgos Cáceres Cádiz Castellón de la Plana Ciudad Real Córdoba Cuenca Donostia-San Sebastián Girona Granada Guadalajara Huelva Huesca Jaén Logroño Las Palmas León Lleida Lugo Madrid Málaga Murcia Ourense Oviedo Palencia Palma Pamplona Pontevedra Salamanca Santander Santa Cruz Segovia Seville Soria Tarragona Teruel Toledo Valencia Valladolid Vitoria-Gasteiz Zamora Zaragoza

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