Valencia Spain |
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Valencia is the most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Valencia and the third largest city in Spain, with a population of 809,267 in 2010, and it is also one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. Valencia is considerated the third most important city in this country and the second most important along the Spanish Mediterranean coast after Barcelona. Valencia is situated in a fertile terrain on the east coast of Spain and near to the mouth of the Turia river, in a region called "Comunidad Valenciana" which consists in the provinces of Valencia, Alicante and Castellon. Valencia is also famous worldwide for a typical dish, the paella valenciana, that is basically made of rice and meat or seafood. The Valencia city contains a dense monumental heritage, and its landmark is undoubtedly the City of Arts and Sciences, an avant-garde and futuristic museum complex.  
The valencian Museum of the Sciences Prince Philip is quite different from other science museums in Spain because it is interactive. You are cheerfully invited to join in on the experiments -- lifted 15 metres in a helium balloon, emblematic representations in large size such as a time pendulum and the DNA ladder, participate in simple sports experiments and do basic science. Cathedral of Valencia: one of the most symbolic monuments in the city and is worldwide known. It has been the home of the mythical Holy Grail by the last 500 years. Its famous "El Miguelete", a tower from the 14th century from which all the city can be appreciate is other of its attractions. The largest square in valencian is the Placa de l'Ajuntament, which contains the town hall, a cinema which shows classic movies, and many restaurants and bars. This is where the noisy fireworks of the mascleta can be heard every afternoon during the Les Falles.  
Valencia's port is the biggest on the Mediterranean Western coast, the first of Spain in Container Traffic as 2008 and the second of Spain in total traffic, handling 20% of Spain's exports. Valencia was selected in 2003 to host the historic America's Cup yacht race, the first European city ever to do so. The America's Cup matches took place in summer 2007, and then the port underwent radical changes in which the port was divided into two parts, one part remaining unchanged while the other section would be used exclusively for the America's Cup festivities. The two official languages spoken in the city are Valencian and Castilian, in the past, the predominant language is Castilian, but Valencian is taught and spoken in most of the surrounding metropolitan area and province of Valencia. La Tomatina is a festival that is held in the Valencian town of Bunol, in which participants throw tomatoes at each other. It is held the last Wednesday in August, during the week of festivities of Bunol. Valencia experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with Semi-arid climate influences.
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