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Torrevieja
Coat of Arms
Nation	Spain
Region	Comunidad Valenciana
Province	Alicante
Comarca	Vega Baja del Segura
Languages	Spanish, English, German, Valencian.
Postal Codes	03181 to 03187
Latitude	37°58'40 N
Longitude	0º41'00 W
Area	71km²
Elevation	7m above sea-level.
Population	84,868 (2005)
Density	703 persons/km²
Resident	Torrevejense
Mayor	Pedro Hernández Mateo (PP)

Torrevieja is a seaside city and municipality located on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante, in south-eastern Spain.

Torrevieja lies about 30 miles south of the city of Alicante and has a population of 84,348 (2005). Torrevieja was originally a salt-mining and fishing village as it is located between the sea and two large salt lakes (Las Salinas), which give Torrevieja a healthy micro climate.

Contents 1 History 2 Recent 3 Population 4 Places of Interest 5 See also 6 External links

Until 1802, Torrevieja existed only as an ancient guard tower, which gave the town its name (Torre Vieja (Spanish) means Old Tower) and some labourers' cottages. But in 1803, Charles IV authorized the movement of the salt mines from La Mata to the town itself and allowed the construction of dwellings there. In 1829, the town was totally decimated by an earthquake but the mines were soon reconstructed and re-opened. In 1931, Alfonso XIII gave Torrevieja city status by special grant. During this period, there was also a growing market for flax, hemp and cotton.

In the 19th Century, the salt was mainly shipped from the town by Swedish and Dutch ships. At the time, there was only limited demand from other regions of Spain, mainly Galicia and to a lesser extent, Valencia. Although by the dawn of the 20th Century, a quarter of all the salt mined in Torrevieja, was sold in Spain itself and the rest exported was to foreign markets.

In recent years the local economy has hugely expanded due to the tourist industry. This includes both a strong contingent of British, Germans and Scandinavians, many of whom live there all the year round, and Spanish tourists who have a holiday home in the city. In 2004 Torrevieja had the largest number of British residents of all the Spanish municipalities (approx. 7,180). The city is a conservative stronghold, with the Partido Popular holding 15 seats in the local assembly.

The world-famous Habanera festival for choral groups is held every August, when the city population expands roughly ten fold, like many other towns along the Costa Blanca.

The INE (Spanish Census) of 2005 showed that the city had 84,838 residents, and the ayuntamiento (district council area) had 95,530 residents. The most prominent nationalities in the area were:

Nationality	Percentage		Nationality	Percentage
Spanish	47.80		Colombian	2.58
British	13.30		Ukrainian	2.24
German	5.15		Moroccan	2.17
Swedish	3.14		Norwegian	2.17
Russian	2.73		Other	13.30

Demographic evolution of Torrevieja between 1897 and 2005

1897	1910	1930	1950	1960	1970	1980	1991	1996	2001	2004	2005
7,833	8,961	8,754	8,935	9,234	9,726	12,314	25,014	35,998	50,953	75,530	84,348

• Iglesia Arciprestal de la Inmaculada Concepción - Originally erected in 1789 and then reconstructed in 1844, using stones reclaimed from the original Torre Vieja, (Old Tower).Virtual Panoramas
• Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario (La Mata), constructed in 1896.
• Paseo de la Dique de Levante
• Parque de las Naciones or The Park of the Nations Pictures

• Museo del Mar y de la Sal (Sea and Salt Museum)
• Submarine S61 Delfin Read More
• Las Salinas - The famous salt lakes to the west of the city.
• The Market
• Centro Habaneras - A semi-outdoor shopping mall. Pictures360 Panorama
• Paraje Natural Municipal Molino Del Agua - A hidden gem of a natural park. PicturesRead More
• Old Railway Station Read More
• Water Fountains Read More

• Orihuela.

• Official Website of Torrevieja

• Torrevieja travel guide from Wikitravel

• Tourist information for Torrevieja, on the Costa Blanca in Spain