Catral | |
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 Coat of arms | |
 Location Catral on theValencian Community | |
  Catral Location in Spain | |
| Coordinates:38°09′34″N0°48′18″W / 38.15944°N 0.80500°W /38.15944; -0.80500 | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community |  Valencian Community |
| Province | Alicante |
| Comarca | Vega Baja del Segura |
| Judicial district | Callosa de Segura |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Joaquín Lucas Ferrández (2023) (PP) |
| Area | |
• Total | 19.24 km2 (7.43 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Population (2024-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 9,423 |
| • Density | 489.8/km2 (1,268/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Catralense |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 03158; and 3349 (road to San Isidro) |
| Dialing code | +34 (Spain) + 96 (Alicante) |
| Official language(s) | Spanish |
| Website | http://www.ayuntamientocatral.com/municipio.php |
Catral (Spanish pronunciation:[kaˈtɾal]) is a town in theValencian Community, Spain. Located in the south of theprovince of Alicante, in theregion ofVega Baja del Segura. It had 8,105 inhabitants in 2007 according to theNational Statistics Institute of Spain.
Catral's origins are uncertain, as is the origin of the name. There are three theories: that the name is of Iberian origin (Kal turlthe, meaning "double peak", which would make reference to closeCabezos ofAlbatera), which be of Hispanic origin (ofCastrum Altum, "Villa fortified" in Latin) and Arab (Al-Qatrullät). In any case, the middle of 13th century ended the Muslim rule of Catral.
Conquered by the infantAlfonso for theCrown of Castile, he was awarded theOrder of Santiago Catral sites andCallosa in 1255. However, the Castilian king reinstated the crown as in 1264. From 1296, Catral, like the southern half of the province, would go to theCrown of Aragon within the Attorney GeneralOrihuela.
The town's farmland has increased significantly during the first two decades of the 18th century due to draining of wetlands, promoted by theCardinal Belluga. In 1741, the 152 inhabitants of Catral paid 12,499 pounds for the title of Villa and his independence from Orihuela. In 1829, it was spared the devastating effects of an earthquake that destroyed much of the population of the region. Since then, it has held an annual thanksgiving to Saint Emigdio, patron saint against earthquakes, as a token of thanks for his intercession.
Agriculture,citrus fruits,artichokes, cereals and olive trees (cultivated in orchards that are irrigated by canals which carry water from the Segura river) produce much of the wealth together with some livestock. Growth industries includefurniture,distribution,textiles,construction,food, hides andtourism.
Manufacturing, warehousing and logistic premises for retailers such as Retro Europe, Vitalgrana, Catral Export Grupo, S.l. and Chili Foot Wear. The Wheeler International distribution centre is located in the industrial zone adjacent to theAutopista AP-7 exit 730.
Catral has had a significant population growth since the 1990s. According to the census of 2008, the municipality had 8629 inhabitants.
| Demographic evolution of Catral | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 | 1887 | 1900 | 1910 | 1920 | 1930 | 1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |||
| population | 3,078 | 2,593 | 2,592 | 3,007 | 3,000 | 3,025 | 3,391 | 3,871 | 4,183 | 3,904 | 4,209 | 4,394 | 5,146 | 6,642 | 7,530 | 8,105 | 8,629 | ||
| Year | Name of mayor | Political party |
|---|---|---|
| 1979–1983 | Joaquín Ñíguez Gelardo | UCD |
| 1983–1987 | Francisco Gelardo Aguilar | PSPV-PSOE |
| 1987–1991 | Juan Gelardo Culiañez | PSPV-PSOE |
| 1991–1995 | José Manuel Rodríguez Leal | PSPV-PSOE |
| 1995–1999 | José Manuel Rodríguez Leal | PSPV-PSOE |
| 1999–2003 | José Manuel Rodríguez Leal | PSPV-PSOE |
| 2003–2007 | José Manuel Rodríguez Leal | PSPV-PSOE |
| 2007-2011 | Aurelio David Albero García | PP |
| 2011-2015 | Aurelio David Albero García(2011-2013) Pedro Zaplana García(2013-2015) | PP AxC |
| 2015-2019 | Pedro Zaplana García | AxC |
| 2019-2023 | Inmaculada Úbeda Pascual(2019-2021) Juan José Vicente Martínez(2021-2023) | PSPV-PSOE AxC |
| 2023- | Joaquín Lucas Ferrández | PP |
Temperatures exceed 10 degrees in January and 26 degrees in July.
Municipalities ofVega Baja del Segura / Baix Segura | ||
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| Geographic | |
