Castilla-La Mancha

I

Introduction

Castilla-La Mancha or Castile-La Mancha, autonomous region, south-eastern Spain. The region lies inland, bounded on the north by the region of Castilla-León, on the north-east by Aragón, on the east by Valencia, and on the south-east by Murcia, with Andalusia on the south, Extremadura on the west, and Madrid on the north-west. The region is comprised of five provinces—Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, and Toledo. Castilla-La Mancha has an area of 79,461 sq km (30,680 sq mi) and is the third largest of Spain’s autonomous regions.

II

Physical Geography

Although named La Mancha (Arabic, “dry land”), the region is not completely arid with the Guadiana and Tagus rivers flowing east to the Atlantic, and the Jucar flowing south-eastward to the Mediterranean. Castilla-La Mancha’s topography includes limestone karst formations, central arid plains, and low-lying mountain ranges. The La Mancha plateau stretches across much of the south of the region and is divided into La Mancha Alta (high) in the north-east and La Mancha Baja (low) in the south-west. The climate is harsh, with hot summers and cold winters. There are few trees, and the region is relatively barren.

Two national parks are located in Castilla-La Mancha. The Cabañeros National Park (established 1995), covers an area of 418 sq km (161 sq mi) and extends across the hills of Toledo. The park’s woodlands support a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, wild boar, and the Iberian lynx, as well as a large breeding colony of black vultures. The Tablas de Daimiel National Park is located in the high basin of the Guadiana, in a marshland area called La Mancha Húmeda. The park covers an area of 1,982 hectares (4,898 acres) and supports more than 200 different bird species.

III

Population

Around 1,977,304 people live in Castilla-La Mancha (2007). The region has an average population density of 23 people per sq km (60 per sq mi). The principal cities of the region are Toledo, the capital (population, 2007, 78,618) in the north-west; Albacete (2007, 164,771) in the south-east; Guadalajara (2007, 77,925) in the north; Ciudad Real (2007, 71,005) in the south-west; and Cuenca (2007, 52,980) in the north-east.

The University of Castilla-La Mancha was founded in 1985 and operates from four main campuses across the region—at Toledo, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, and Albacete. Castilla-La Mancha is known for the medieval castles and fortresses that dot the desolate plains, reminders of the era of the Christian reconquest of Moorish Spain. The region was made famous in the 17th century by Miguel de Cervantes in his novel Don Quixote de la Mancha. The historic cities of Toledo and Cuenca are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, inscribed in 1986 and 1996 respectively. The artist El Greco lived in Toledo and many examples of his work are on display in the city's churches and museums.

IV

Economy

Agriculture is the dominant factor in the economy. Wheat, grapes, and olives are the primary crops, but sunflowers, saffron, sumac, and cotton are also grown. The region produces half of Spain’s wine and a large proportion of its flour. Small windmills dot the landscape in parts of the region; some of the best examples can be found at Consuegra. Stock-raising (sheep, pigs, and goats) is also important, especially in the north. Most industry is focused on Ciudad Real province in the south-west, where there is mining and a petrochemical complex.