Elche
Elche or Elx (in Catalan) is a city belonging to the comarca of Baix Vinalopó, in the province of Alicante, Spain, near the Mediterranean Sea. According to the 2003 census, Elche has a population of 207,163 inhabitants (ilicitanos), ranking as the second most populous city in the province. It has an area of 326.1 km2 and a population density of 635.27 inhab/km2. The river Vinalopó flows through the city.
Economy
The economy of Elche is based, in large part, on the footwear industry, with over 1,000 shoe factories, being one of the most important footwear industries in Spain and the rest of Europe. There are other economic activities in Elche: agriculture (dates, olives, cereals and pomegranates), although it has lost importance in the last years; rubber industry; trade, which employs 20% of the workforce, and tourism. The city also produces wooden furniture, cognac, wine and olive oil.
Elche has a conference centre (called Ciutat d'Elx), an international airport (Aeropuerto de El Altet) and a University, (Universidad Miguel Hernández).
History
Elche was settled by the Iberians and was occupied many times by Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans, which called the city Ilici. Goths established an episcopal see in this city. Elche lost importance during the period of Muslim occupation, although it still preserve some Moorish buildings. James I of Aragon liberated the city from the Moors in 1264, during the period known as Reconquista. The city grew throughout the 18th century; but this growth became more important during the 19th century with the arrival of the railway and the industrial development.
A vast amount of archeological remains have been found in Elche, being the stone bust Lady of Elche (Dama de Elche) the most important find. It is supposed to date from the Iberian period, in the 4th century BC. The original can be found in the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid, though there is a copy in the city.
World Heritages
- Elche Palm Grove: Better known as Palmeral d'Elx, in Catalan. It is a forest of over 200,000 palm trees which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.
- Mystery Play of Elche: Better known as Misteri d'Elx, in Catalan. It is a sacral-lyrical medieval drama, dated from the 15th century, which was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2002.
Trivia
- On December 22nd, 1999, 1,450 first-prize coupons of El Gordo (The Fat One), the most important prize of the Spanish National Lottery, were bought in Elche, giving its citizens a record total of US$262 million.
- The 31st of August is the date of a celebration in Elche called Nit de l'Alba(Night of the Dawn) in which a city-wide night-long war of fireworks is the most notable activity.
External links
- Ajuntament d'Elx, Town Hall of Elche; in Spanish.
- Turisme d'Elx, Tourism of Elche; in English, Spanish and Catalan.
- Cultura d'Elx, Culture of Elche; in Spanish and Catalan.
- Futur d'Elx, Future of Elche; in Spanish.
- The first ever Elx Home Page; in English.