Cádiz is a province of southern Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, the southernmost part of continental Western Europe. It is bordered by the Spanish provinces of Huelva, Seville, and Málaga, as well as the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Its area is 7,442 square kilometers. Its capital is the city of Cádiz with more than 128,000 habiantes. The largest city is Jerez with more than 204,000 inhabitants, another important city is Algeciras is just over 114,000 inhabitants. All province had a population of 1,194,062 (as of 2006), of whom about 600,000 live in the Bay of Cádiz area. Its population density is 160.45 per square kilometer.
Political and traditional subdivisions (comarcas)The province encompasses 44 municipalities; besides its capital, other important cities are Jerez and Algeciras. (See the list of municipalities in Cádiz.) According to a roster developed by the Council of Tourism and Sport of Andalusia on 27 March 2003, there are officially six traditional or touristic comarcas (provincial areas or counties) in the Province of Cádiz:
Bay of Cádiz (Bahía de Cádiz)This area is comprised by towns and cities on the shores of the Bay of Cádiz on the west-central coast of the province: Campiña de Jerez (Countryside of Jerez)This fertile area only includes two municipalities, both large in area:
Campo de Gibraltar (Countryside of Gibraltar)The towns that extend into the rural hinterlands north of Gibraltar are:
Bajo Guadalquivir (Northwest Coast; also called Costa Noroeste)The towns of this area called the "Bajo Guadalquivir" (lower Guadalquivir valley), are: La JandaTowns included in La Janda, an area in the southwestern part of the province, are:
Sierra de Cádiz (Cádiz Mountains)Towns included in the Cádiz Mountains area, in the northeastern part of the province, include:
EconomyPrimary sector
Major industrial facilitiesThe main industry is tourism, mainly from other non-coastal Spanish cities, Germany and the UK. It was once important its shipbuilding industry (Astilleros), now in crisis due to competition from South Korea and China. There are factories of Airbus and Delphi It also exports sherry as well as alimentary products.
TourismBeachesThe province of Cádiz has many kilometers of beaches and (as of 2005) the highest number of Blue Flags of all coastal provinces in Europe. Some of these beaches are relatively wild and far from big urban areas due to the closeness of natural reserves. Being that one of its attractives in contrast to the mass tourism of other areas in the Mediterranean coast. The area near Tarifa is known to be an important windsurf area and similar sports due to the almost permanent wind near the Strait of Gibraltar. Notable beaches:
Culture
NatureDoñana National ParkDoñana National Park is one of two national parks in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Natural ParksBahía de Cádiz Natural Park
La Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park
La Doñana Natural Park
Los Alcornocales Natural Park
Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
Straits of Gibraltar Natural ParkNatural Reserves
Natural Sites
Parques Periurbanos: Pinares y Dunas de San Antón La Suara La Barrosa Natural Monuments
TransportationRoadsAirportsRailroads
PortsThe main ways to enter the province are by road from Seville or Malaga and by the Jerez Airport. Notable sports teamsFootball
Rugby Union External links
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||