Cartagena (Spanish:[kaɾtaˈxena]ⓘ) is a Spanish city belonging to theRegion of Murcia. As of January 2018, it has a population of 218,943 inhabitants.[2] The city lies in a natural harbor of theMediterranean coastline of the southeast of theIberian Peninsula. Cartagena is the region's second-largest municipality. The wider urban or metropolitan area of Cartagena, known asCampo de Cartagena, has a population of 409,586 inhabitants.
Cartagena has been inhabited for over two millennia, being founded around 227 BC by theCarthaginian military leaderHasdrubal. The city reached its peak under theRoman Empire, when it was known asCarthago Nova, capital of the province ofCarthaginensis. Cartagena was temporarily held over by theByzantine Empire in late antiquity, before being raided byVisigoths circa 620–625.[3] The Islamic city rebuilt around the Concepción Hill, mentioned asQartayânnat al-Halfa, was noted by the 11th century as a great harbor.[3]
Unsubmissive to the terms of theTreaty of Alcaraz, Cartagena was taken by force by theCrown of Castile in 1245, with agressive settlement policies being pursued afterwards pursuant to Cartagena's status as a prize of war.[4] After the consolidation of Castilian rule in the wake of Castilian-Aragonese conflict in 1305, Cartagena ended up as the sole Castilian port in the region for years to come although its saliency conformed to Castile's limited attention to Mediterranean affairs in the low middle ages.[5] It was secured by the Crown in 1503 after a period in private hands, growing in saliency because of its increasing trade prowess and its role in theHispanic Monarchy's intervention in theMaghreb.[6] Cartagena has been the capital of theSpanish Mediterranean fleet since the arrival of theBourbons in the 18th century. Partly due to the development ofmining in the 19th century it became a left wing stronghold, starting theCantonal Rebellion in 1873 and in theSpanish Civil War acting as the headquarters of theSpanish Republican Navy and being the last city to fall to theNationalists. It still hosts andan important base of the Spanish Navy, the main military haven of Spain, and a large naval shipyard.[7] Hammered by industrial re-structuring policies, the city underwent a profound job crisis in the early 1990s, stirring up protests and the burning of the regional legislature.[8]
The confluence of civilizations, its strategic harbor, and the influence of the local mining industry have led to a unique historic, architectural and artistic heritage. This heritage is reflected in a number of landmarks of Cartagena, including theRoman Theatre, an abundance ofPunic,Roman,Byzantine andMoorish remains, and a plethora ofArt Nouveau buildings from the early 20th century. Cartagena is now established as a major cruise ship destination[9] in the Mediterranean.
Peñas Blancas constitutes the highest point in the municipality
The city of Cartagena is located in the southeastern region of Spain in theCampo de Cartagena.The Cartagena region can be viewed as a great plain inclined slightly in the direction NW-SE, bordered at the north and the northwest by pre-coastal mountain ranges (Carrascoy, El Puerto, Los Villares, Columbares and Escalona), and at the south and southwest by coastal mountain ranges (El Algarrobo, La Muela, Pelayo, Gorda, La Fausilla y Minera, with its last spurs inCape Palos).
The dominant geology of the region is metamorphic (slate, marble) and sedimentary (limestone). The most widely present kind of soil is calcic xerosol. Other soils that occur in the municipality are theleptosol, which forms the Mediterranean coast, and the petrocalcic xerosol.[10]
The city is located just at the end of the new AP-7 motorway. The following villages are part of Cartagena municipality:La Azohía,Isla Plana,Los Urrutias andLos Nietos.
The Old Town is limited by five small hills (Molinete, Monte Sacro, Monte de San José, Despeñaperros and Monte de la Concepción) following the example of Rome.[11] In the past, there was an inner sea between the hills called the Estero that eventually dried up. On this site, the "Ensanche" (Expansion or New Town) was built at the beginning of the 20th century.[12][13]
The urban area is delimited or crossed by several watercourses, some of which go deep into the urban network during a large part of their courses.[13]
The maximum height in the municipality is reached in the Peñas Blancas massif, at 627 metres above sea level.[14]
Cartagena has a transitional climate between thehot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification:BSh) and thehot desert climate (Köppen:BWh), tending more towards the latter.[15] Its location near the sea moderates the temperature, and annual precipitation typically does not surpass 300 mm (12 in). Cartagena has never recorded any temperature below freezing (below 0 °C (32 °F)) since records began.The annual average temperature goes up to around 19.2 °C (67 °F). The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 12.7 °C (55 °F). In August, the warmest month, the average temperature is 27.0 °C (81 °F). The wind is an important climatic factor in the region.
Climate data for Cartagena 1991-2020 normals, extremes (1988-present)
The municipality demarcated according to its districts
The municipality has 24 districts, known asdiputaciones (councils). The origin of this administrative structure has its date in the beginning of the 18th century when the population was increasing and the municipality was becoming less tractable.[18] The districts are:[19]
Cartagena Casco: This is the district where the main town (also named Cartagena) is located and is located in the south of the municipality. Its population consisted of 57,001 in 2019.
San Antonio Abad: It is located in the south of the municipality and adjoins Cartagena Casco in its south and Canteras in its west. The number of inhabitants was 44,882 in 2019.
El Plan: It adjoins La Magdalena in its west and Lentiscar in its east. There were 35,974 residents in 2019.
Rincón de San Ginés: It is located in the southeast end of the municipality. Its population consisted of 10,214 people in 2019.
Canteras: This coastal district is placed in the south of the territory and faces the Mediterranean Sea in its south. It is also adjoining to Perín in its west and San Antonio Abad in its east. There were 10,167 people living in 2019.
El Algar: It is located in the east of Cartagena and adjoins Lentiscar in its north. The number of inhabitants consisted in 7,961.
Santa Lucía: It is located in the south of the municipality and faces the Mediterranean Sea in its south.
La Palma: It is located in the north of the municipality. It shares borders with Lentiscar in its east.
Pozo Estrecho: It is placed in the north of Cartagena and shares borders with La Palma in its east and with El Albujón in its west. There were 5,149 people who resided in the area in 2019.
La Aljorra: This district occupies the northwestern end of the municipality. The number of inhabitants equaled to 4,962 people in 2019.
La Magdalena: It occupies part of the west of the municipality and adjoins La Aljorra in its north. Its population consisted of 3,893 in 2019.
Alumbres: It is located in the southeast quarter of Cartagena.
Albujón: It is placed in the northwest of Cartagena and shares borders with La Aljorra in its west.
San Félix: It is located in the approximate centre of Cartagena and is adjacent to Lentiscar in its northeast. The territory was inhabited by 2,694 people in 2019.
Santa Ana: This district is placed in the northern half of Cartagena. It adjoins Pozo Estrecho in its north. Its population consisted of 2,501 people in 2019.
El Beal: The territory is located in the east of the municipality and shares borders with Rincón de San Ginés in its south. There were 2,342 residents present in 2019.
Lentiscar: This district is placed in the northeast end of Cartagena. There were 2,022 residents in 2019.
Perín: It is located in the south of the municipality and adjoins the Mediterranean Sea in its south and Los Puertos in its west. Perín was home to 1,591 people in 2019.
Los Puertos: It occupies the southwest end, but also part of the inner west that is not the end of the municipality and is adjoining Campo Nubla in its west. This was inhabited by 1,349 people in 2019.
Miranda: This district is placed in the northwest quarter of Cartagena. It shares borders with Pozo Estrecho in its northeast and El albujón in its northwest.
Hondón: It is located in the southeast quarter and is adjoining San Félix in its south. The district was inhabited by 1,117 people in 2019.
Campo Nubla: This district occupies part of the west end of the municipality. The territory was home to 203 people in 2019.
Los Médicos: It is placed in the northern half of the territory. The district shares borders with La Palma and Pozo Estrecho in its north.
Escombreras: It is located in the south of Cartagena. There were 9 people living in the area in 2019.
Despite the intense mining, tourist and industrial exploitation that the area has suffered for centuries, the territory around Cartagena city hosts an extraordinary natural wealth and diversity, with a large number of botanical endemic species. Part of its area is subject to different levels of legal protection.
Cartagena's coastal mountains have one of the highest levels of botanical biodiversity on theIberian Peninsula. A number of surprising Ibero-African species, which are found only in southern Spain (mostly in the provinces ofMurcia andAlmería) and North Africa. Among these, there stands outTetraclinis articulata orSandarac (sabina mora orciprés de Cartagena —Cartagena cypress in Spanish) native toMorocco,Algeria,Tunisia,Malta, and Cartagena, growing at relatively low altitudes in a hot, dry Mediterranean woodland. Some species are seriously endangered like thesiempreviva de Cartagena (Limonium carthaginense), therabogato del Mar Menor (Sideritis marmironensis), thezamarrilla de Cartagena (Teucrium carthaginense), themanzanilla de Escombreras (Anthemis chrysantha), thegarbancillo de Tallante (Astragalus nitidiflorus), thejara de Cartagena (Cistus heterophyllus carthaginensis)[20][21] and thevarica de San José (Narcissus tortifolius).
Mar Menor, a salty lagoon separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a sand bar 22 kilometres (14 miles) in length and with a variable width from 100 to 1,200 metres (328 to 3,937 feet). It has a surface area of nearly 170 km2 (66 sq mi), a coastal length of 70 km (43 mi), and warm and clear water with relatively high salinity, which does not exceed 7 metres (23 feet) in depth. It belongs to four municipalities, including Cartagena. In 1994, it was included on the list of theRamsar Convention (nº706) for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. It is also one of theSpecially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) by the United Nations. Its five volcanic islands (Perdiguera, Mayor or del Barón, del Ciervo, Redonda and del Sujeto) just likeEl Carmolí and San Ginés hills, the Hita and Amoladora beaches, the Lo Poyo salt marsh and the salt mines of Marchamalo are protected as well.[26][27]
Islands and Islets of the Mediterranean coast, including Grossa Island (belonging to the municipality ofSan Javier, Hormigas Islands, Palomas Islands and Escombreras Islands, some of them also designed asSpecial Protection Area.[30][32]
There is evidence of the presence of individuals belonging to the genusHomo in the caveCueva Victoria [es] 1,300,000 years ago. This cave is located in the southeastern quarter of Cartagena.[33]
Remains ofNeanderthal individuals of theMousterian culture were found in theCave of los Aviones. This place is located close to Cartagena.[34][35] There were also remains of Neanderthals belonging to the Mousterian culture in theCueva Bermeja [es], which is located in the southwestern quarter of the municipality.[34]
At the southeast corner of the municipality remains of humans of theUpper Paleolithic were discovered. The paleontological sites are theAbrigo de Los Déntoles cove, theCueva de Los Mejillones, and theCabezo de San Ginés [es] (hill). The West of the municipality was also the scene of human activity in that period. Concrete evidence of this are the cavesCueva del Caballo andCueva Bermeja.[36][37]
The southeast end of Cartagena was inhabited again during theMesolithic. Important points are theCueva de los Pájaros andCueva de los Mejillones (caves). Neolithic components such as ceramic shards have been found.[38]
The southeast of Cartagena was again inhabited during theNeolithic. The sites areLas Amoladeras andCalblanque. The south of the Alumbres district was also inhabited during that period. The archaeological site is located in theCerro del Gorguel (hill) and in it remains of a characteristic Neolithic hamlet were discovered.[36][39]
The reasons for the dearth of human presence and structures in this municipality during the Neolithic period were the lack of rainfall and the absence of water courses. During theBronze Age there was a similar situation.[40]
TheArgaric civilization inhabited the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula (Región de Murcia andAlmería) during the Bronze Age. Nevertheless, they did not significantly occupy this municipality, there were few structures belonging to them and they had little relevance here. They lived in the northwest.[41][42]
Carthaginian walls of Carthago Nova (3rd century BC)
The town is thought to have originally been namedMastia. Possessing one of the best harbors in the Western Mediterranean, it was re-founded by the Carthaginian generalHasdrubal around 227 BC[43] asKart-hadasht ("New City"),[44] a name identical toCarthage, for the purpose of serving as a stepping-off point for the conquest of Spain.
The Roman generalScipio Africanusconquered it in 209 BC and renamed itCarthago Nova (literally "NewNew City") to distinguish it from the mother city. It became a tributary community (civitas stipendaria).[45]Julius Caesar gave the townLatin Rights, andOctavian renamed it in his honor as the colonyColonia Victrix Iulia Nova Carthago orColonia Vrbs Iulia Nova Carthago (C. V. I. N. C.) depending on the source. The city was very relevant both in the Carthaginian and the Roman conquest of theIberian Peninsula. In 298 AD,Diocletian constituted a new Roman province in Hispania calledCarthaginensis and settled the capital in this city. It remained important until it was sacked by theVandals in 435 AD.[46][47]
During the Roman period, it was the site of major silver mines, yielding a daily revenue of 25,000drachmae. It was known also for the production ofgarum, a fermented fish sauce, and foresparto grass[48] which granted it a new name,Cartago Spartaria.
The demise and fall ofWestern Roman sovereignty caused Cartago Spartaria to go into decline. It was occupied successively by theVandals (409–425), theVisigoths (425–551 and 624–714) and theEastern Romans (551–624), who made it the capital ofSpania (the Byzantine Empire's westernmost province).[49] During this time the Christiandiocese of Cartagena lost its place as theprimary diocese in Hispania to the more reliablyVisigothicArchdiocese of Toledo, a primacy it would never recover.
Cartagena was re-conquered by the Visigoths, who held it until the Muslim conquest in 714 AD. By that time it was barely a fishing village.[50] It was called Qartayannat-al-Halfa. It was subsequently ruled by theUmayyads (714–756), theCaliphate of Cordova (756–1031), theTaifa of Denia (1031–1076), theTaifa of Saragossa (1076–1081), theTaifa of Tortosa (1081–1092), theAlmoravids (1092–1145), theAlmohads (1145–1229) and theTaifa of Murcia (1229–1245). During the Islamic period, Cartagena primarily oriented itself to the sea, possessing at best a small rural hinterland.[51]
Following the local refusal to abide to the 1243Treaty of Alcazaz, a Castilian army led by theinfante Alfonso of Castile took Cartagena by force in 1245 by means of a military operation combining land forces and a Cantabrian fleet.[52] It was granted afuero copied after Córdoba's in 1246.[53] Similarly to the other subdued rebel towns, it early underwent an aggressive process of Castilianization.[54] The diocese of Cartagena was restored in 1250, but its seat was established in Murcia since 1266, a decision later formalised in 1291.[55] In 1270, Alfonso created theOrder of Santa María de España for the naval defense of theCrown of Castile and established its headquarters in Cartagena. In 1296, Cartagena was briefly annexed to theCrown of Aragon, but returned to Castile by theTreaty of Elx in 1305, which fixed the final boundary between the kingdoms of Valencia and Murcia. Cartagena then lost its status as royal demesne and became a seigneurial jurisdiction, a situation which lasted until 1346.[56] Cartagena did not fully recover until the 18th century, when it became a leading naval port in the Mediterranean.[57]
In 1728, Cartagena became the capital of theSpanish Navy's Maritime Department of the Mediterranean and the city was heavily fortified with the construction of a modern castle in the place of a former MoorishKasbah, several barracks and a hugeCartagena Arsenal. In a relatively short period of time, the population of the city grew from around 10,000 to 50,000 inhabitants.[12]
In 1757, during theSeven Years' War, a French naval force was forced to take shelter in the port. A squadron underDuquesne sent to reinforce them was attacked and defeated by a British squadron underHenry Osborn at theBattle of Cartagena.
In 1873, the city established a self-governingCanton of Cartagena and become the center of theCantonal Revolution. Governmental forces besieged the city for several months until they surrendered.[12][59]
During theSpanish Civil War (1936–1939), Cartagena was the main base of theSpanish Republican Navy and one of the primary strongholds of theRepublican Government. It held out against the forces of GeneralFrancisco Franco longer than any other city in Spain, being the last of its cities to surrender.[60] The city saw its industrial activity increase during the 1950s, resulting in greater prosperity and this trend continued until a general decline in manufacturing throughout Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
At the moment, Cartagena comprises part of the autonomous community of theRegion of Murcia, and is the seat of theRegional Assembly of Murcia.[61] It is also capital of the maritime province of Cartagena, which was granted by the Royal Decree of 5 October 1607 under the reign ofPhilip III.
According to the Municipal census, as of January 2011, Cartagena has 218,210 inhabitants, ranking 24th in Spain in terms of population (and 6th among the non-capitals). 182,021 people live in the urban area and 39,840 in the several satellite quarters. According to the official population data, 14.73% of the municipality's population had a foreign nationality.
Source:INE[62] Note: The municipal extension varies from the 1857 census and the previous one because of the annexation of La Palma andLa Unión segregated.
Economy activities related to energy are among the main ones in the municipality. They are located in Valle de Escombreras. This spot, which is a valley, is located in a district named Escombreras that is placed in the south of the municipality and of 5–10 km from the main locality by its west.[13][63][64] Agriculture is another noteworthy activity in Cartagena and 37.9% of the territory consisted of crop lands in 2017.[65] The most widely grown products are melons, lettuces, potatoes, lemons and almonds.[66] 52.77% of the agreements occurred in this sector and 42.83% of the workers were hired as labourers in 2012.[67] Shipbuilding has less weight than some centuries ago, but it is still moderately important. This is performed in the port of Cartagena, the main locality of the municipality. Plastic production is also performed, specifically in the northwest of the territory. The tertiary sector has risen during the last decades, specifically tourism and hotel industry. 14,12% of the agreements in the municipality were aimed at waiters in 2012.[68][13][64]
Asgenerally in Spain, the governors of the municipalities are indirectly elected on the day of municipal and regional elections, every four years.[69] TheD'Hondt system is used for allocating the governors from the votes. The body of all the elected councilors is namedpleno and has 27 members in Cartagena.[70] The head governor has the name ofalcalde (feminine,alcaldesa). Since Cartagena is inhabited by more than 5,000 people, there is also ajunta de gobierno local,[71] the members are selected by thealcalde from thepleno. Currently, there are 9 members in the governing cabinet. Four members of the cabinet belong toPartido Popular party, one toCiudadanos and there are also four nonpartisan politicians, including thealcaldesa, who belonged toPSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Español) party but were expelled of the party because they had made an agreement with Partido Popular party and Ciudadanos in order to compose thepleno.[72][73]
There are also committees namedjuntas vecinales in some localities and districts.[77] Administrative centres are also available for inhabitants who don't live in the main town and the can perform some administrative processes there. They are located in some districts and localities and name isomitas.[78]
Thanks to its strategic position on the Mediterranean, Cartagena has been inhabited by many different cultures, which have left their mark on its rich cultural heritage during a glorious and turbulent history.[79]
The "Cartagena, Port of Cultures" initiative was created to allow visitors to enjoy a wide range of activities and visits, discovering the cultural wealth and rich history of the city. It is one of several projects to energize the tourist possibilities of this potential major cultural destination,[80] frequently neglected by the mass-tourism, due to the proximity of several holiday resorts, and the refinery and other industrial development, which gave a bad reputation to the city because of pollution; these last have now fortunately been eradicated.
The Roman Theatre of Carthago Nova and Cathedral ruins of Cartagena
Although there are some ruins from the Carthaginian period, like the remains of thePunic rampart (built in 227 BC with the foundation of the city), most of its oldest monuments date from the time of theRoman Empire when Cartagena flourished.The archaeologistBlanca Roldán studied this Punic Rampart and other Punic remains, especially on theMolinete Hill. Among its numerous Roman remains, the recently restoredRoman theatre of Carthago Nova is prominent and is one of the city's landmarks. Work on it started at the end of the 2nd century BC. The Roman Theatre Museum was recently officially inaugurated. In Roman Republican Times, the mines near Cartagena provided silver and lead for all the Roman Empire.[81]
Other Roman remains can be found in several buildings and interpretative centres, including the Roman Colonnade, the House of Fortune, thedecumanus/cardo and theAugusteum.TheTorre Ciega was built by the Romans for burials; it formed part of the Necropolis.[81]
The Roman Amphitheatre (1st century AD) was sited where the now-abandoned Bullring was built, but only some of the surrounding walls and part of the rooms under the stands are still visible. Recent work is revealing more evidence.
Besides the Roman heritage, archaeological sights include the remains of theSanta María la Vieja Cathedral, which was irreversibly destroyed during theSpanish Civil War. It dates from the end of the 13th century. The decorated floor of a Roman house of the 1st century BC can be found in the crypt.[82]
A Byzantine rampart can be found, close to the Roman Theatre and the Cathedral.[81]
The Concepción Castle (now Centre for the Interpretation of the History of Cartagena) was reconstructed in the 13th century using large structures from the Amphitheatre. Apart from the Roman Theatre Museum, there are also two important archaeological museums: the Municipal Archaeological Museum and the recently opened Arqua (National Museum of Maritime Archaeology).[81]
TheCampus Muralla del Mar, an old military hospital, was one of the first works carried out after the transformation of the city into the main Spanish naval base in the Mediterranean, and is now the seat of the Polytechnic University. In the vicinity, there is the Autopsy Theatre, which is where anatomy classes used to be given. Rehabilitation for tourism provides for the interpretation of the nearby buildings at the time of their construction.[83]
These buildings and several other baroque or neo-classical buildings demonstrate the military importance of Cartagena. These include the Charles III Rampart, theCastillo de San Julián, the Arsenal, the Midshipmen's Barracks (academy and naval barracks), the Naval Headquarter Palace (built in 1740 and subsequently rebuilt) and the Artillery Headquarters, which also houses theMilitary Museum.Among the Baroque or Neo-classical Churches in Cartagena areEl Carmen,Santo Domingo andSanta Maria de Gracia.[83]
The austere facade of the Molina House hides the Centre of Arts and Craft.[84]
Cartagena is home to numerousArt Nouveau buildings from the early 20th century, when a bourgeoisie settled in the city due to the growth of the local mining industry. Many prominent building were designed byVictor Beltri, the prolificModernist architect of the city.[citation needed] These buildings include the City Hall, the Grand Hotel, the Casino (all of them among the city's landmarks).
The Railway Station has some outstanding iron doors and columns on its facade, and inside can still be seen the original ticket office, door frame, ceiling, and lamps. Other modernist or eclectic houses include the Clares House, the Aguirre Palace (which houses the Regional Museum of Modern Art, or MURAM), the Cervantes House (relatively big in comparison with other modernist buildings), the Llagostera House, the Pedreño Palace, the Dorda House, the Zapata House and the Urban Expansion Company House.[85]
Several charming, lively streets cover this area, such as Calle Mayor (High Street), the major pedestrian and commercial street of the city, full of boutiques and bars with typical "tapas", Carmen Street, Puertas de Murcia Street and many more.
TheCaridad church is one of the most important churches in the city, since it is dedicated to the patron of Cartagena, Nuestra Señora de Caridad. The interior is dominated by a dome, similar to the Pantheon of Agrippa, in Rome. There are also several outstanding sculptures by the famous Murcian sculptorFrancisco Salzillo and his school.[86]
The Civil War Shelter-Museum is based on the galleries excavated out the Concepción hill (site of the Castle) to serve as air-raid shelters during theSpanish Civil War. Many naval and military attractions belong to this era, such as theNaval Museum and the world-famousPeral Submarine invented by Isaac Peral (born in Cartagena) that was launched in 1888 as one of the firstsubmarines ever. It was displayed on Cartagena's harbour promenade until its move to the Naval Museum, after a full restoration.[87]
Other attractions include the Lift-Gangway near the former Bullring and the Concepción Hill, the Regional Assembly (the Parliament of the Region of Murcia) whose facade includes architectural influences from theRenaissance while maintaining a modernist air (typical in the Levant), and the Carmen Conde-Antonio Moliner Museum that reconstructs the atmosphere in which these poets from Cartagena created some of their most important works.[89]
Although the city itself is only a port, within the city limits lies part ofLa Manga del Mar Menor (the other part belonging to the municipality ofSan Javier) which encompasses theMar Menor. Cartagena also includes part of the Murcian Mediterranean Coast. Cartagena holds the distinction of being the Spanish city with the most beaches (10) certified "Q for Quality" by the ICTE (Instituto para la Calidad Turística Española). These beaches are: Cala Cortina, Islas Menores, Playa Honda beach, Mar de Cristal, Cala del Pino, Cavanna beach, Barco Perdido beach, El Galúa beach, Levante beach and La Gola beach.[90]
El Portús beach is adjacent to thenaturist camping site, so nude bathing is practiced on this beach.[91]
Cartagena is in Healtharea II (Cartagena) in Region of Murcia. In this area there are 17 subareas, and 13 are in the municipality. Two hospitals are included in the region and both are placed in the municipality. Cartagena is also home to 30consultorios (primary care health centres with fewer functions than thecentros de salud) and 12centros de salud.[92][93]
Bus facilities are also present in Cartagena by the urban bus service. There are lines to localities of the municipalities and adjacent municipalities such as La Unión and Torre-Pacheco.[94]
There are nine early childhood and primary education public centres in the main town and five secondary centres. Fourconcertados (semiprivate) centres are also placed in the territory and they include primary as well as secondary education. 38 primary education centres are located in the other districts as well as 10 secondary education centres. A special education centre can be found in the district El Plan, that is in the east of the western half of Cartagena.[95]
A public university namedUniversidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), a centre of the public distance university UNED, a campus of the private university Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM) and a private university, which name is ISEN, occur in the municipality.[96] UPCT includes degrees related to engineering and architecture,[97] in UNED there are 28 degrees,[98] in UCAM people can choose among 9 degrees[99] and in ISEN 9 degrees are taught.[100]
There are also three vocational education centres (CIFP) in the municipality,[101] but vocational degrees are taught in some secondary education centres (IES). The main town is home to a centre of a national public organisation about language teaching. English, French, German, Arabic and Italian are taught from A1 level to C2.[102]
They town council has an organisation named Universidad Popular de Cartagena where several courses are taught and courses for access to middle vocational degrees, higher vocational degrees and university degrees are included.[103][104] A centre for adult education can also be found in the main town where people can study elemental contents, secondary education for adults, the contents of the secondary education examination, the contents of the entry examination for CFGS (higher level vocational education), the contents of the entry examination for university degrees, Spanish, English, and a FPB (basic vocational education) for Computing.[105]
Probably the most remarkable element in regard to sports isFútbol Club Cartagena (F. C. Cartagena) team, which is in Segunda División, the second level of the Spanish football league system. Another sport team is Futsal Cartagena, which is in Segunda División during most seasons. A successful team is UCAM Cartagena Tenis de Mesa.[106][107]
Other sports that are played in the municipality are basketball, at Club Basket Cartagena; handball, whose most noteworthy team is C.A.B. Cartagena; and badminton, at UPCT Bádminton Cartagena.[108][109][110]
An international competition of aesthetic group gymnastics was held along with IFAGG (International Federation of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics) in Cartagena from 17 May to 19.[111][112]
In regard to sports facilities, the two main ones for the average citizen are two pavilions, whose names are Pabellón Central or Wsell de Guimbarda and Piscina Municipal, but there are also pavilions and sports facilities in the districts.[113] A stadium can also be found in the main city area.[114]
These are the most known festivals of the municipality:[121]
Cartagena's Holy Weekprocessions are solemn religious parades which are unique in Spain for their discipline which reflects the city's naval tradition.[122]
Carthaginians and Romans, declared an item of National Tourist Interest. The main festivities of the city, a colourful Carthaginian and Roman parade full of events that recall the Punic Wars and the conquest of the city by both Empires. Held over the final ten days of September.[123]
Cruces de Mayo: This festivity consists mainly in setting flowered Christian crosses with revere purposes.[124]
Patron saint festivities: Different patron saints are venerated and different festivities are held throughout the municipality. There are activities that are more or less frequent in these festivities such as little processions (festive religious parades) andromerías (religious festive acts that consist in a little procession where a statue of the Virgin or Christ is carried and end in a large festive people meeting at an isolated church).[124]
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^"Itinerario Contemporáneo".Concejalía de Turismo (in Spanish). Ayuntamiento de Cartagena.Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved14 September 2018.
Ruiz Valderas, Elena (2004). "Cartagena arqueológica: un ejemplo de convivencia histórica". In Domínguez Arranz, Almudena (ed.).Jornadas de Arqueología en Suelo Urbano. Huesca, 19 y 20 de marzo de 2003. Huesca: Instituto de Estudios Altoaragoneses.ISBN84-8127-152-7.
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