Province of Cáceres
Cáceres | |
---|---|
Province of Cáceres Provincia de Cáceres (Spanish) | |
Coordinates: 39°40′N 6°00′W / 39.667°N 6.000°W | |
Country | Spain |
Autonomous community | Extremadura |
Capital | Cáceres |
Area | |
• Total | 19,868 km2 (7,671 sq mi) |
• Rank | Ranked 2nd |
Population (2014) | |
• Total | 408,703 |
• Rank | Ranked |
• Density | 21/km2 (53/sq mi) |
Parliament | Cortes Generales |
The province of Cáceres (US: /ˈkɑːsəreɪs/ KAH-sə-rayss,[1] Spanish: [ˈkaθeɾes]) is a province of western Spain, and makes up the northern half of the autonomous community of Extremadura. Its capital is the city of Cáceres. Other cities in the province include Plasencia, Coria, Navalmoral de la Mata and Trujillo, the birthplace of Francisco Pizarro González. As of 2014[update], the province had 408,703 inhabitants, of whom a quarter lived in the capital.[2] The Tagus river runs through the province.[3]
Geography
The northern natural border of the province is formed by the east–west running Sierra de Gredos which is part of the Sistema Central. The valleys North of Cáceres include the Valle del Jerte, the gorges of la Vera, the Ambroz Valley, and Las Hurdes with mountain rivers and natural pools. The southern border consists of the Montes de Toledo. The remainder of the province is a plain, through which the river Tagus and its tributaries run. The mountains are rich in wildlife, and in 1979 a nature park was created at Monfragüe.[3]
Economy
The plain is fertile and irrigation is used to raise cereals, tobacco, tomatoes, peppers and cherries, as well as cattle and pigs as some of the most important agricultural products. The Gabriel y Galán dam one of 3 on the Alagón River produces most of the hydroelectric power for the province.[3]
Administrative divisions
The province was formed in 1839, and is bordered by the provinces of Salamanca, Ávila, Toledo, and Badajoz in the south, and by Portugal in the west.[3] The capital is the city of Cáceres, where As of 2014[update] about a quarter of the 408,703 people in the province lived.[2] Other cities in the province include Plasencia, Coria, Navalmoral de la Mata, Alcántara and Trujillo. It consists of 219 municipalities. Traditional comarcas without administrative function in Cáceres Province are Las Villuercas, Las Hurdes and Monfragüe. Las Hurdes was one of the poorest regions in Spain's history.[3]
Sports
The provinces main association football team is Cacereño, who currently play in the Segunda División B.