Spain, Zaragoza

Zaragoza is the capital city of the autonomous region and former Kingdom of Aragon in Spain, and is situated on the river Ebro and its tributaries, the Huerva and Gállego, near the centre of the region, in a great valley with a variety of landscapes, ranging from desert (Los Monegros) to thick forest, meadows and mountains.

According to 2006 data from the Zaragoza council, the population of the city of Zaragoza was 660.895, ranking fifth in Spain. The population of the metropolitan area was estimated in 2006 at 833.455 inhabitants. The municipality is home to more than 50% of the Aragon population. The city is 199 metres above sea level, and constitutes a crossroads between Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao, all about 300 kilometres (200 miles) from Zaragoza.

History

The city was the Roman colonia of Caesaraugusta, founded under Augustus in Hispania Citerior.

From 1018 to 1118 Zaragoza was one of the taifa kingdoms, independent Muslim states which emerged in the 11th century following the destruction of the Cordoban Caliphate. During the first three decades of this period, 1018–1038, the city was ruled by the Banu Tujibi. In 1038 they were replaced by the Banu Hud, who ruled until they were defeated by the Almoravids in May 1110. The last of the Banu Hud, Imad al-Dawl abd al-malik al Hud, the last king of Zaragoza, forced to abandon his capital, allied himself with the Christian Aragonese under Alfonso el Batallador, who in 1118 reconquered the city for the Christians and made it the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon. at his death without heirs in 1137, Zaragoza was swiftly occupied by Alphonse VII of León-Castille, who vacated it in 1137 only on condition it be held by Ramon Berenguer IV of Barcelona as a fief of Castile.

Zaragoza was the scene of two controversial martyrdoms related with the Spanish Inquisition: those of Saint Dominguito del Val, a choirboy in the basilica, and Pedro de Arbués, head official of the inquisition.

It suffered two famous sieges during the Peninsular War against napoleonic army: a first from June to August 1808; and a second from December 1808 to February 1809 (see Agustina de Aragón).

During the Spanish Civil War it was aimed to be taken by the Durruti Column, led by Buenaventura Durruti.

Economy

As of 2006, the city's economy is benefitting from projects like Expo 2008 (the next official World's Fair, with the theme of water and sustainable development, to be held between June 14 and September 13, 2008), Plataforma Logística de Zaragoza (PLAZA), Parque Tecnológico de Reciclado (PTR), as well as being on the route of the AVE high-speed rail route since December 2003, which consolidates the city role as a communications hub.

Zaragoza is home to a Spanish Air Force base, which was (until September 1992) shared with the U.S. Air Force. In English, the base was known as Zaragoza Air Base. The Spanish Air Force maintained an F/A-18 Hornet wing at the base. No American flying wings (with the exception of a few KC-135's) were permanently based here, but it served as a training base for American fighter squadrons across Europe. It is the main headquarters for the Spanish Field Army, hosting the Academia General Militar, a number of brigades at San Gregorio, and other garrisons.

Culture

Zaragoza is linked by legend to the beginnings of Christianity in Spain. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared miraculously to Saint James the Great in the 1st century, standing on a pillar. This legend is commemorated by a famous Catholic basilica called Nuestra Señora del Pilar ("Our Lady of the Pillar").

The event, called "Las Fiestas del Pilar", is celebrated on October 12, which is a major festival day in Zaragoza. Since it coincided in 1492 with the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus, that day is also celebrated as El Día de la Hispanidad (Columbus Day, literally Hispanic Day) by Spanish-speaking people worldwide.

"El Pilar" lasts for nine days, with all kinds of acts: from the massively attended Pregon (opening speech) to the final fireworks display over the Ebro, there are bands, dances, procession of gigantes y cabezudos (carnival figures made of papier mache), concerts, exhibitions, the famous "vaquillas" bulls) and the bull festival. Some of the most important features are the Ofrenda de Flores (Flower offering) to the virgin on the 12th, when an enormous cloak is made of the flowers.

Sport

Zaragoza is strongly associated with Jaca in its bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics. It would host the Opening and Closing ceremonies (at La Romareda stadium), as well as most of the ice events venues.

Zaragoza's football team, Real Zaragoza, plays in the Primera división. One of the most remarkable events in the team's recent history is the winning of the former UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1995. The team has also won the Spanish National Cup "Copa del Rey" six times: 1965, 1966, 1986, 1994, 2001 and 2004 and a Fairs Cup (1965).

Zaragoza's handball team, CAI BM Aragón, plays in the Liga ASOBAL.

Climate

The climate in Zaragoza is very continental and ranges from 0ºC in winter to 35ºC in Summer (yearly average between 14 and 15º C). In October the average temperature is approximately 16º C (min. 11º C and max. 22º C).