L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat or L'Hospitalet is a city to the immediate southwest of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and the second largest in Catalonia by population. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat is notable for being one of the most densely populated cities not just in Spain but also in the European Union.
History
The first records of the settlement date to the Neolithic era with artefacts showing human habitation in the Llobregat river area. Roman artefacts have been found dating to the 2nd Century B.C. such as a funereal decoration representing the head of Medusa now in the archaeological museum of Barcelona. However it is not until the 10th Century that written references to Provençana (the city's original name) appear. The current name originates from the Catalan language and references a hostel next to the Church 'Santa Eulalia de Provençana' used by pilgrims in the Middle Ages. The city retained the character of a village until the 18th century when the first textile factories where built causing a population boom. The 1960s and 1970s saw a second population boom, caused by immigration from poorer regions of Spain. However this population boom was not matched by the construction of the necessary amenities and it was only in the 1990s that public investment resulted in additional schools, leisure facilities and housing.
Demographics
| 1900 | 1930 | 1950 | 1970 | 1986 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4948 | 37,650 | 71,580 | 241,978 | 279,779 | 261,310 |
Over 22% of the city's residential population was born outside of Spain, (mainly in Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Morocco). However the city has a large number of permanent or non-permanent residents from other countries of the European Union. Its population in the 2006 census consisted of 78% born in Spain (52% in Catalonia) and broke down as follows:
- Spain 207,930
- The Americas 35,628
- Africa 7,935
- Asia 5,375
- Europe (non-EU) 2,428
- European Union 2,004
- Oceania 10
Geography
Area: 12.49 km²
Skyscrapers
- Hospital de Bellvitge (1972)
- Gran Hotel Hesperia (2006)
- Castellvell 2-4
- Marina 179
- Rambla de la Marina 333 (1963)
Administrative Units
- District I
- El Centre
El Centre is the historical center of the city, the oldest neighbourhood, where the City Council is, as well as the center of activities such as La Farga and many of the cultural buildings, such as the History Museum, the Can Sumarro library, the cultural center Barradas or the Sala Alexandre Cirici. It borders the district of Sanfeliu and Can Serra to the north, Bellvitge to the south, Sant Josep to the east, and the city of Cornellà de Llobregat to the west.
- Sant Josep
Sant Josep remains framed by the square that is formed by the avenue of the Fabregada and that of Isabel la Catòlica to the west, the Torrent Gornal to the east, the railroad on the north side Carrilet to the south. In this area, all the industrial activities that Hospitalet had through the ages left their mark: from the flour mills and the distilleries, up to the different energetic exploitation of the waterfalls of the Canal de la Infanta or the ceramic, textile, metallurgical and chemical industries. In fact, Sant Josep was originally an industrial suburb, but the subsequent disappearance of many factories, as well as the population increase , have given it a residential character.
- Sanfeliu
The civic life is centered around the avenue of the Cerezos and the Comunitats square. This public space is the scene of the greatest holiday celebrations, that takes place towards Sant Joan, of the Carnival and of many other popular events. The cultural center is also at the heart of many of the activities.
- District II
- Collblanc
It is one of neighbourhoods with the most personality in the city, with a marked commercial character. Today, the Mercat square and the surroundings are the main center of civic life.
- La Torrassa
Its origins has been linked to Collblanc. Today, the Espanyola square and the new park of the Torrassa are the at heart of this neighbourhood, and is where the holiday celebrations at the beginning of every summer are largest.
- District III
- Santa Eulàlia
- Gran Via Sud
It is the smallest neighbourhood in the city.
- District IV
- La Florida
- Les Planes
- District V
- Pubilla Casas
- Can Serra
- District VI
In 1964 the Inmobiliaria Ciudad Condal S.A. (ICC) company initiated the construction of this neighbourhood as it stands nowadays, beside the hermitage, on land which had been bought from local farmers. It was designed as a residential area to house the large number of immigrants who came to Catalonia from elsewhere in Spain - more than 126,000 people in 1964 - in search of work.
- District VII
- Districte Econòmic
See also
External links
