Valencia Spain Map, History and Culture

Interactive Map of Valencia, Spain

Valencia Map Links:

Valencia is located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain and covers a total area of nearly 9,000 square miles, making it the 8th largest autonomous region in Spain. The Valencia, Spain map shows Murcia to the south and west, Castilla la Mancha to the west, and Aragon and Catalonia to the north. The Mediterranean Sea makes up the entire eastern border of Valencia.

City List:

Torrent
Villareal
Borriana
El Grao de Castellón
Almassora
El Grau de Moncofa

Quick Facts:

Population: 2.5 million
Languages: Spanish, Castilian, Valencian, Catalan
Ethnicities: Valencians, Castilians, Aragonese, Catalan
Capital: Valencia

The History of Valencia

The Romans founded Valencia in 138 BC, which began the era of Roman Hispania in Valencia. The Romans ruled the area for centuries until its fall in 476 AD. At this time, the region was vulnerable to attacks from many different tribes, including the Alans and the Visigoths.

The Alans were an Iranian tribe while the Visigoths were a Germanic tribe. Ultimately, the Visigoths won out, but only for a moment in time. By 711 AD, the Arabic Al-Andalus invasion, also known as the Muslim Invasion, reached the shores of Valencia and pushed out anyone who inhabited the region.

The Muslims ruled the region until the Kingdom of Valencia was formed during the 13th Century. The Kingdom of Valencia was formed when the Crown of Aragon united with the Crown of Castile. At this time, James I of Aragon led the Christians into reconquering their homelands that they had been pushed out of. This was known as the Christian Reconquest, which took place in 1208. In 1238, after James I was victorious in the reconquest, the Kingdom of Valencia was established.

During the Golden Age of the Kingdom of Valencia, the kingdom flourished. There were many artworks and literature that were created in Valencia during this time. Valencia would be known for its sophisticated works of art that were produced throughout this time.

By 1609, the Muslims who had stayed in the region and converted to Christianity were expelled by King Philip III of Spain. The expulsion of Muslims reduced the population in Valencia by one-third. In addition, the majority of Muslims who were expelled were farmers. This resulted in a drastic decline of farmers in Valencia.

By 1707, the War of the Spanish Succession was well underway, and the Kingdom of Valencia suffered greatly during this time. King Philip V of Spain abolished the Kingdom of Valencia, which abolished the language and laws that had once been recognized in Valencia.

The Second Spanish Republic, along with the Spanish Civil War, began during the 1930s to which Valencia tried to establish self-governance during this time but ultimately failed because of the war. Following the war, General Francisco Franco dictated Spain under his sole leadership until his death in 1975.

After General Franco’s death, Valencia pushed once more for full autonomy. This time, full autonomy was granted to Valencia, and on July 1, 1982, Valencia became an official autonomous territory of Spain.

Languages

The primary language spoken, taught, and heard throughout Valencia is Castilian Spanish. Castilian Spanish is the primary language of the entire country of Spain; however, there are many dialects heard throughout the 17 different regions.

In Valencia, the Valencian dialect would likely be heard. Valencian was almost completely abolished during the 1700s. Fortunately, the Valencian dialect survived, and it can still be heard today.

Religion

The primary religion of Valencia is Roman Catholic Christianity. During the Muslim Invasion, which lasted from 711 AD until around 1200 AD, Islam was the primary religion of Valencia. The Muslims had arrived on the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula and exiled all Christians that were living in the area. The Christians fled to the mountains until they were led by James I of Aragon to reconquer their land. This time period is called the Christian Reconquest.

Without the Christian Reconquest, Roman Catholicism likely would not have survived in this region, potentially making Islam the primary religion of this area today. However, the Christian Reconquest allowed Christians to reconquer their homelands and reestablish Roman Catholic Christianity as the primary religion in the region.

Geography

Valencia is a coastal region in Spain with sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and wet marshlands. Two major rivers flow through Valencia: the Segura and Jucar. Both of these rivers provide hydroelectricity to the region for industrial and agricultural use. The coast allows Valencia to have many harbors that help with both trade and tourism.

The wet marshlands allow citrus groves to flourish, which led Valencia to its first economic success during the 1900s. This type of farming has continued throughout the region and allowed native Valencians to thrive.

Over time, citrus grove farming evolved into the farming of different fruits and vegetables throughout the region. Crops have become a major export of Valencia today, which can be mainly accredited to the geography that Valencia provides.

Culture

During the Golden Age of Valencia between the 1300s and 1600s, Valencia flourished in culture. Many works of art were produced during this time, including paintings, visual arts, and literature. Valencia was quickly known for the sophisticated works of art that were produced at that time, and those cultural symbols are still present today.

Immigration & Migration Patterns

The first mass expatriation of Valencia occurred during the Muslim Invasion of the 700s. Christians were forced out of the region during this time and were forced into the northern mountainous territories of Spain. They were able to repatriate during the Christian Reconquest of the 13th Century.

During the 1800s and 1800s, it is estimated that around 5 million Spaniards emigrated from Spain due to the economic recession and destruction that was left after the many wars on the Peninsula.

Emigrants who left Spain during this time often landed in the regions to the west, including the southern United States, Central America, South America, and various Caribbean islands. Many opportunities had presented themselves in these areas, and those in Spain who were suffering from poverty decided to take advantage.

Recently, Valencia has become a territory that has attracted more immigrants than in other regions. This is largely because Valencia has an abundance of tourist and agricultural opportunities that not all of the regions of Spain possess.

Genealogy

Because Valencians had to flee their homelands during the Muslim Invasion, the northern territories of Spain likely have Valencian heritage due to the Christians who fled to the mountains during this time. Those who live in the Basque Country, Asturias, Cantabria, and Navarra may all see Valencia in their lineage of genealogy.

Other areas where the Valencian genealogy may be present include the New World in the western hemisphere. These regions can include Florida, Texas, and Louisiana in the southern United States, Mexico, Uruguay, Venezuela, Guatemala, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. These were the areas that Valencians settled in when they moved west, so it would be extremely likely that the Valencian lineage extends to those living in any of these areas.

About the author

Caleb Pike is an avid hiker and nature lover, with a passion for exploring the great outdoors. He's a writer, photographer, and adventurer, always seeking new trails to blaze and peaks to conquer.