Alzira
Alzira (its official and Valencian name; in Spanish: Alcira) is
a town and municipality of 44,440 people (2007) in eastern Spain. It is
the capital of the comarca of Ribera Alta in the province of Valencia.
Alzira is located in the province of Valencia on the left bank of the
Júcar river, and on the Valencia–Alicante railway.
Alzira's climate is typically Mediterranean: warm with no extremes of
temperature either in summer or winter. Rainfall is scarce and
irregular. Torrential rains usually follow periods of relative drought.
The town is situated on the shores of the Júcar river. The Murta and
Casella valleys are well worth visiting as they are by far the most
beautiful areas in the Alzira area.
The town borough extends over 111 square kilometres. The population
count was 44.440 inhabitants in August 2008 in the city and 50,000 with
the surroundings (estimated).
Alzira's Arabic wallsAlzira was founded by the Arabs with the name Al-Yazirat
Suquar, or Júcar Island. During the Middle Ages, it was a prosperous
Moorish trading-station. In 1242, James I of Aragon put control of the
town in Spanish hands.
Alzira, located right on the bank of the Júcar, has suffered devastating
floods throughout its history - in particular in 1472, 1590, 1864, 1916,
1982 and 1987.
Alzira has historically been a walled town, surrounded by palm, orange
and mulberry groves, and by low-lying rice-swamps, which rendered its
neighborhood somewhat unhealthy. It is sometimes identified with the
Roman Saetabicula.
During the Muslim era, Alzira became a very important town. It even had
its very own local government. It was known throughout the region as a
cultural hub for writers, philosophers, and law experts.
King Jaime I re-conquered the town for Christianity on the 1242-12-30.
During the 20 th century, Alzira changed from an agricultural based
economy to a diversified industry-orientated city with an important
commercial infrastructure and associated services. Many outstanding
companies have their head-office in the city: building and publishing
companies, diversed manufactures, textil and ice cream factories, etc.
Alzira has become a vey important commercial city due to it's influence
area, which is estimated about 300,000 inhabitants.
