View source for Elche

{{redir|Elx||ELX}}
{{Short description|Municipality in Valencian Community, Spain}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Elche
| settlement_type    = [[Municipalities of Spain|Municipality]]
| native_name        = {{lang|ca-valencia|'''Elx'''}}
| official_name      = {{lang|ca-valencia|Elx}} / {{lang|es|Elche}} {{nobold|(official)}}
| image_skyline      = {{Multiple image
  | perrow = 1/2
  | border = infobox
  | total_width = 280 
  | caption_align = center
  | image1 = ELCHE EN EL ZOOM 400MM (cropped).jpg{{!}}Panoramic view
  | caption1 = Panoramic view
  | image2 = 36272-Elche.jpg{{!}}Palm trees
  | caption2 = Palm trees
  | image3 = Huerto del Cura, Elche, España, 2014-07-05, DD 36.JPG{{!}}Replica of the Lady of Elche
  | caption3 = Replica of the Lady of Elche
}}
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = Flag of Elx.svg
| image_shield       = Escut d'Elx.svg
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 9
| mapframe-point = none
| map_caption        = Location of Elx / Elche
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[Spain]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Autonomous communities of Spain|Autonomous community]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Valencian Community]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Provinces of Spain|Province]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Province of Alicante|Alacant / Alicante]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Comarcas of Spain|Comarca]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Baix Vinalopó]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[Judicial districts of Spain|Judicial district]]
| subdivision_name4  = Elx / Elche
| seat_type          = <!-- [[Capital (political)|Capital]] -->
| seat               = 
| pushpin_map        = Spain Province of Alicante#Spain Valencia#Spain
| pushpin_label      = Elx / Elche
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the Province of Alicante##Location in the Valencian Community##Location in Spain
| coordinates        = {{coord|38|16|1|N|0|41|54|W|region:ES_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 86
| elevation_min_m    = 
| elevation_max_m    = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="area">{{cite web|url=https://centrodedescargas.cnig.es/CentroDescargas/catalogo.do?Serie=NGMEN|title=Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población|trans-title=Geographical Nomenclature of Municipalities and Population Entities|publisher=National Center for Geographic Information (CNIG)|language=es}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 326.50
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 5th century BC ([[Iberians|Iberian settlement]])
| population_as_of   = 2024
| population_footnotes = <ref name="population">{{cite web|url=https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/en/index.htm?padre=10607&capsel=11555|title=Annual population census 2021-2024|publisher=[[National Statistics Institute (Spain)|INE]]}}</ref>
| population_total   = 242317
| population_demonym = • {{lang|ca-valencia|il·licità}}, -''ana'' ([[Valencian language|Val.]]) <br /> • ''{{lang|es|ilicitano}}'', -''a'' ([[Spanish language|Sp.]])
| population_note    = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset         = +1
| timezone_DST       = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +2
| postal_code_type   = [[List of postal codes in Spain|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 03200–03299
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Spain|Dialing code]]
| area_code          = +34 96
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = [[Pablo Ruz Villanueva]] (2023)
| leader_party       = [[People's Party (Spain)|PP]]
| website            = {{Official website|http://www.elche.es/|www.elche.es}}
| module             = 
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Elche''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|l|tʃ|eɪ}},<ref>[https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Elche "Elche"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929234514/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/elche |date=2016-09-29 }} (US) and {{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Elche |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182532/https://www.lexico.com/definition/elche |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-03-22 |title=Elche |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPA|es|ˈeltʃe|lang}}; {{langx|ca-valencia|'''Elx'''}}, {{IPAc-en|UK|ɛ|l|tʃ}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/elx|title=Elx|work=[[Collins English Dictionary]]|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|access-date=19 May 2019|archive-date=9 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209014734/http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/elx|url-status=live}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|US|eɪ|l|ʃ}},<ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Elche|access-date=19 May 2019}}</ref> {{IPA|ca-valencia|ˈɛʎtʃ|lang}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dcvb.iec.cat/results.asp?word=Elx|title=Elx|publisher=Diccionari català-valencià-balear (DCVB)|language=ca}}</ref> officially: {{lang|ca-valencia|'''Elx'''}} '''''/''''' {{lang|es|'''Elche'''}}) is a city and [[Municipalities of Spain|municipality]] of [[Spain]], belonging to the [[province of Alicante]], in the [[Valencian Community]]. With a population of 242,317 as of 2024, it is the [[Municipalities of the Valencian Community|3rd-largest city in the region]] after [[Valencia]] and [[Alicante]] and the [[Ranked lists of Spanish municipalities#By population|20th-largest city in Spain]].<ref name="population"/> It is part of the [[Comarcas of Spain|comarca]] of [[Baix Vinalopó]].

Part of the municipality is coastal yet the city proper is roughly {{convert|15|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} away from the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. A small creek called [[Vinalopó]] flows through the city. Elche is the centre of the [[footwear industry]] in Spain.{{Sfn|Marco Lajara|Zaragoza Saez|Martínez Falcó|Seva Larrosa|2021|p=189}} The main airport of the province of [[Alicante]] ([[Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport]]) is located inside Elche's municipality, and it serves both Elche and Alicante, being the [[List of the busiest airports in Spain|fifth-busiest airport in Spain]].

Together with Alicante and other municipalities, Elche forms a [[conurbation]] of some 800,000 inhabitants. The city is noted for its urban [[Palmeral de Elche|Palm Grove]], designated as [[World Heritage Site]].

== History ==
[[File:Cantiga Elche.JPG|thumb|left|Miniature of the [[Cantigas de Santa Maria|''Cantiga'']] #133 accounting for an alleged miracle that took place in Elche (13th century), entailing, together with Cantiga, #126 the first graphic representation of a palm tree in Elche<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.informacion.es/elche/2013/12/21/elche-cantigas-santa-maria-6544455.html|website=Información|title=Elche en las Cantigas de Santa María|date=20 December 2013|first=Joan|last=Castaño}}</ref>]]
''[[L'Alcúdia, Elche|L'Alcúdia]]'' is 10&nbsp;km from the current city's location and the immediate predecessor of current day Elche. This original location was settled by the [[Greeks]] and then occupied by [[Carthaginians]] and [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]. Greek Ionian colonists from the Achaean city [[Helike]] established their new colony, naming it ''Helíkē'' ({{langx|grc|Ἑλίκη}}) around 600{{nbsp}}BC. It was a point of resistance against [[Carthaginian Spain|Carthaginian advance in Spain]] between the [[First Punic War|First]] and [[Second Punic War]]s.<ref>"Roman Policy in Spain", ''Harvard Studies in Classical Philology'', p.{{nbsp}}[https://books.google.com/books?id=blS7fbEqwKIC&pg=PA209 209] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130202102/https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=blS7fbEqwKIC&pg=PA209 |date=2018-11-30 }}.</ref><ref name=":0" /> The Romans called the city ''Ilici'' or ''Illice'' and granted it the status of [[Colonia (Roman)|colonia]];<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Historia – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/ciudad/historia/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114092128/https://www.visitelche.com/en/ciudad/historia/|archive-date=2021-01-14|access-date=2021-01-15|website=VisitElche – Portal oficial de Turismo de la ciudad española de Elche.|language=en-US}}</ref> after a brief [[Byzantine]] rule, the [[Goths]] took over, establishing an episcopal see.

In 1905, archaeologists uncovered a [[synagogue]] in Elche dating back to the fourth to sixth centuries CE. This dating marks it as the earliest known synagogue in Spain, and marks the presence of an ancient [[Jewish]] community.<ref>{{Citation |last=B. Mann |first=Vivian |title=Synagogues of Spain and Portugal during the Middle Ages |date=2019-10-18 |work=Jewish Religious Architecture |pages=151–152 |url=https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789004370098/BP000009.xml |access-date=2024-05-05 |publisher=Brill |language=en |doi=10.1163/9789004370098_010 |isbn=978-90-04-37009-8|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Elche |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/elche |website=Jewish Virtual Library |access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Elx, País Valencià (s.XIX) Jean Laurent.jpg|thumb|left|19th century photograph of Elche by [[Jean Laurent (photographer)|Jean Laurent]]]]
Elche lost importance during the period of [[Moors|Moorish]] occupation, when it was moved slightly north to its present location. [[James II of Aragon]] took the city from the Moors in the 13th century, during the ''[[Reconquista]]''.<ref name=":0" /> The city grew throughout the 18th century<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=El siglo XVIII y las grandes realizaciones urbanísticas en Elche|url=https://blogs.ua.es/historiaelche18/2013/12/12/el-siglo-xviii-y-las-grandes-realizaciones-urbanisticas-en-elche/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130044432/https://blogs.ua.es/historiaelche18/2013/12/12/el-siglo-xviii-y-las-grandes-realizaciones-urbanisticas-en-elche/|archive-date=2021-01-30|access-date=|website=blogs.UA|language=Spanish}}</ref> and became more important during the 19th century with the arrival of the [[railway]] and a booming industrial development of what used to be the traditional footwear industry.

Many [[archaeological remains]] have been found in Elche, with the stone bust of the ''[[Lady of Elche]]'' (''Dama de Elche/Dama d'Elx'' in Spanish and Valencian, respectively) being the most important. This may date from the [[Iberians|Iberian]] period (4th century BC). The original is in the [[National Archaeological Museum of Spain]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=La Dama de Elche – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/la-dama-de-elche/|access-date=2021-01-23|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116053203/https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/la-dama-de-elche/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lady of Elche|url=http://www.man.es/man/en/coleccion/catalogo-cronologico/protohistoria/dama-elche.html|access-date=2021-01-23|website=www.man.es|language=en|archive-date=2020-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210005938/http://www.man.es/man/en/coleccion/catalogo-cronologico/protohistoria/dama-elche.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Elche was granted the title of city by [[Amadeo I of Spain|King Amadeo]] in 1871.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cadenaser.com/emisora/2021/03/16/radio_elche/1615898858_695515.html|website=[[Cadena SER]]|title=Elche cumple 150 años como ciudad|date=16 March 2021|first=Mario|last=Abril}}</ref>

The [[espadrille]] industry developed in the 19th century, eventually becoming the leading Spanish municipality at producing textile footwear.{{Sfn|Miranda Encarnación|1993|p=22}} By the late century, local entrepreneurs began to invest in leather footwear factories.{{Sfn|Miranda Encarnación|1993|p=26}} The footwear industry grew during the [[Great War]] and thereafter.{{Sfn|Miranda Encarnación|1993|p=26}}

== Geography ==
The city is known for the [[Palmeral de Elche]], that is an [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] and is the only palm grove in Europe with North African origins and the largest on the continent.<ref name="huertodelcura.com">{{Cite web|title=Elche's Palm Grove – Jardín Artístico Nacional – Huerto del Cura|work=Jardín Artístico Nacional - Huerto del Cura |url=https://www.huertodelcura.com/elches-palm-grove/|access-date=2020-12-09|language=en-US}}</ref> The Palm Grove also constitutes the northernmost and one of the largest palm groves in the world.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=García-Hernández|first1=Cristina|last2=Ruiz-Fernández|first2=Jesús|last3=González-Díaz|first3=Benjamín|date=2018-12-19|title=Inherited memory, social learning, and resilience: lessons from Spain's Great Blizzard of 1888|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1745-5871.12322|journal=Geographical Research|volume=57|issue=2|pages=189–203|doi=10.1111/1745-5871.12322|s2cid=134154678 |issn=1745-5863|url-access=subscription|hdl=10651/50638|hdl-access=free}}</ref> Today, the city of Elche contains 97 orchards composed of 70,000 date palms, concentrated in the east bank of the Vinalopó.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Larrosa Rocamora|first=José Antonio|date=2003-04-15|title=El palmeral de Elche: patrimonio, gestión y turismo|journal=Investigaciones Geográficas|issue=30|pages=77|doi=10.14198/ingeo2003.30.04|issn=1989-9890|doi-access=free|hdl=10045/326|hdl-access=free}}</ref> Outside the Elche city domain, other large plantations contain approximately 130,000 date palms. In total, Elche and its vicinity hold 200,000 palms. The Palm Grove ranges over 3.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (1.4 sq mi), including 1.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (0.58 sq mi) within the city of Elche.<ref name=":3" /> The Palm Grove of Elche comprises the National Artistic Garden, Palm Grove Museum, Route of El Palmeral, and Municipal Park.[[File:Date Fruit from Palms in the National Artistic Garden.jpg|thumb|Date fruit from date palm trees within the National Artistic Garden]]

It shares borders with Santa Pola, Guardamar del Segura, San Fulgencio, Dolores, Catral, Crevillent, Aspe, Montforte del Cid and [[Alicante]]. The most remarkable landform is Vinalopó River.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2017-03-30|title=El ayuntamiento colabora en una campaña de limpieza del río Vinalopó e invita a los ilicitanos a participar en ella|language=Spanish|work=Ajuntament d'Elx|url=https://www.elche.es/2017/03/el-ayuntamiento-colabora-en-una-campana-de-limpieza-del-rio-vinalopo-e-invita-a-los-ilicitanos-a-participar-en-ella/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-01-14|archive-date=2021-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115204731/https://www.elche.es/2017/03/el-ayuntamiento-colabora-en-una-campana-de-limpieza-del-rio-vinalopo-e-invita-a-los-ilicitanos-a-participar-en-ella/}}</ref>

According to the [[Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain)|Spanish Statistical Institute]], there are 20 localities in the municipality besides the main town. The main town had a population of 190,821 in 2019 The number of people living in the other localities came up to 41,821 in the same year. Algoda was home to 2,650 people, Algorós has a population of 638, Altabix was inhabited by 2,829 people, El Altet was home to 5,750 people Atsavares was home to 1,328 people, Asprella had a population of 403, Las Bayas was home to 2,975 people, Carrús was inhabited by 1,300 people, Daimés had a population of 1,190, El Derramador was home to 419 people, La Foia was inhabited by 2,804 people, Jubalcoi had a population of 1,215, El Pla de Sant Jose was home to 2,411 people, Maitino was inhabited by 890 people, La Marina had a population of 2,008, La Perleta was home to 1,376 people, Puçol was inhabited by 900 people, Torrellano had a population of 7,480, Vallverda was home to 1,767 people and Los Arenales del Sol was inhabited by 2,019 people.<ref>{{Cite web|title=INEbase / Demography and population /Municipal Register. Population by municipality /Nomenclature: Continuous Register Population by Population Unit / Results|url=https://ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/en/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177010&menu=resultados&idp=1254734710990#!tabs-1254736195518|access-date=2021-01-10|website=INE|language=en|archive-date=2021-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128152839/https://ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/en/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177010&menu=resultados&idp=1254734710990#!tabs-1254736195518|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=INEbase / Demography and population /Municipal Register. Population by municipality /Nomenclature: Continuous Register Population by Population Unit / Results|url=https://ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/en/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177010&menu=resultados&idp=1254734710990#!tabs-1254736195526|access-date=2021-01-10|website=INE|language=en|archive-date=2021-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128152839/https://ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/en/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177010&menu=resultados&idp=1254734710990#!tabs-1254736195526|url-status=live}}</ref>

The local government also acknowledges Matola, which is part of Algoda according to the Spanish Statistical Institute; Penya de les Àguiles, which is part of El Pla de Sant Josep according to the same institution, and Santa Anna, which is not recognised by the Statistical Institute.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pedanies – Ayuntamiento de Elche|url=https://www.elche.es/va/pedanias/|access-date=2021-01-10|language=ca|archive-date=2021-01-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122032458/https://www.elche.es/va/pedanias/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
Elche has a [[hot semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''BSh'') close to a [[desert climate]] (''BWh'')<ref>{{cite web |title=Valores climatológicos normales |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos |publisher=[[AEMET]] |access-date=4 January 2021 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101180444/http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Clima de Elche. [[Universidad Miguel Hernández]][http://dspace.umh.es/handle/11000/3588?mode=full]</ref> with mild, dry winters and hot, dry summers. The city enjoys between 2,900 and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and the rainfall is scarce year-round.<ref>{{cite web |title=Valores climatológicos normales - Agencia Estatal de Meteorología - AEMET. Gobierno de España |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos |publisher=[[AEMET]] |access-date=20 October 2021 |language=es}}</ref>

Elche's annual average temperature is above {{convert|18|C|F}}. The hottest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|43.2|C|F}} on 12 July 2021<ref>{{cite web |title=Episodio de calor intenso: Murcia alcanza los 44,1°, Elche 43,2° y Xátiva 41,5° |date=12 July 2021 |url=https://elpais.com/espana/2021-07-12/murcia-alicante-y-valencia-bajo-aviso-rojo-por-temperaturas-de-hasta-44.html |publisher=[[El País]] |access-date=20 October 2021|language=es}}</ref> while the coldest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-5.0|C|F}} on 12 February 1956.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Medina |first1=Cristina |title=El día que hizo más frío en Elche fue el 12 de febrero de 1956 con -5º |work=Cadena SER |date=17 January 2017 |url=https://cadenaser.com/emisora/2017/01/17/radio_elche/1484654722_966261.html |publisher=[[Cadena SER]] |access-date=20 October 2021 |language=es |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020192132/https://cadenaser.com/emisora/2017/01/17/radio_elche/1484654722_966261.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = [[Alicante–Elche Airport]], 1981-2010 normals, 1967-2023 extremes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes

|Jan record high C = 28.3
|Feb record high C = 29.2
|Mar record high C = 34.8
|Apr record high C = 34.6
|May record high C = 38.0
|Jun record high C = 38.9
|Jul record high C = 43.4
|Aug record high C = 40.8
|Sep record high C = 39.8
|Oct record high C = 34.3
|Nov record high C = 31.0
|Dec record high C = 27.4
|year record high C = 43.4
|Jan high C = 16.7
|Feb high C = 17.4
|Mar high C = 19.4
|Apr high C = 21.1
|May high C = 23.8
|Jun high C = 27.6
|Jul high C = 30.2
|Aug high C = 31.4
|Sep high C = 28.5
|Oct high C = 24.7
|Nov high C = 20.3
|Dec high C = 17.3
|year high C = 23.5
|Jan mean C = 11.6
|Feb mean C = 12.3
|Mar mean C = 14.0
|Apr mean C = 15.9
|May mean C = 18.9
|Jun mean C = 22.8
|Jul mean C = 25.5
|Aug mean C = 26.3
|Sep mean C = 23.8
|Oct mean C = 19.8
|Nov mean C = 15.4
|Dec mean C = 12.5
|year mean C = 18.4
|Jan low C = 6.5
|Feb low C = 7.1
|Mar low C = 8.7
|Apr low C = 10.7
|May low C = 13.9
|Jun low C = 18.0
|Jul low C = 20.8
|Aug low C = 21.5
|Sep low C = 19.0
|Oct low C = 14.9
|Nov low C = 10.6
|Dec low C = 7.5
|year low C = 13.3
|Jan record low C = −7.8
|Feb record low C = −2.4
|Mar record low C = −0.9
|Apr record low C = 0.7
|May record low C = 4.4
|Jun record low C = 10.3
|Jul record low C = 13.6
|Aug record low C = 14.0
|Sep record low C = 10.0
|Oct record low C = 3.0
|Nov record low C = −0.2
|Dec record low C = −1.8
|year record low C = -7.8
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 21
|Feb rain mm = 20
|Mar rain mm = 20
|Apr rain mm = 27
|May rain mm = 28
|Jun rain mm = 10
|Jul rain mm = 3
|Aug rain mm = 5
|Sep rain mm = 40
|Oct rain mm = 46
|Nov rain mm = 34
|Dec rain mm = 22
|year rain mm = 276
|unit rain days = 1 mm
|Jan rain days = 3.6
|Feb rain days = 2.9
|Mar rain days = 3.1
|Apr rain days = 3.7
|May rain days = 3.7
|Jun rain days = 1.6
|Jul rain days = 0.7
|Aug rain days = 0.9
|Sep rain days = 3.3
|Oct rain days = 4.1
|Nov rain days = 3.8
|Dec rain days = 3.7
|year rain days = 35.1
|Jan humidity = 61
|Feb humidity = 61
|Mar humidity = 60
|Apr humidity = 57
|May humidity = 59
|Jun humidity = 58
|Jul humidity = 59
|Aug humidity = 61
|Sep humidity = 63
|Oct humidity = 64
|Nov humidity = 63
|Dec humidity = 61
|year humidity = 61
|Jan sun = 184
|Feb sun = 179
|Mar sun = 221
|Apr sun = 251
|May sun = 291
|Jun sun = 316
|Jul sun = 344
|Aug sun = 313
|Sep sun = 243
|Oct sun = 218
|Nov sun = 174
|Dec sun = 165
|year sun = 2953
|source 1 = [[Agencia Estatal de Meteorología]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Valores climatológicos normales. Alicante-Elche Aeropuerto |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=8019&k=03 |publisher=[[AEMET]] |access-date=4 January 2021 |archive-date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107070500/http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=8019&k=03 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Valores extremos. Alicante-Elche Aeropuerto |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/efemerides_extremos?w=0&k=val&l=8019&datos=det |publisher=[[AEMET]] |access-date=4 January 2021 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106225601/http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/efemerides_extremos?w=0&k=val&l=8019&datos=det |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = [[Baix Vinalopó]], 1981-2010
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high C = 26
|Feb record high C = 27
|Mar record high C = 29
|Apr record high C = 35
|May record high C = 39
|Jun record high C = 40
|Jul record high C = 43
|Aug record high C = 42
|Sep record high C = 39
|Oct record high C = 35
|Nov record high C = 30
|Dec record high C = 25
|year record high C =

|Jan high C = 15.0
|Feb high C = 15.4
|Mar high C = 18.4
|Apr high C = 20.9
|May high C = 24.2
|Jun high C = 28.1
|Jul high C = 31.4
|Aug high C = 31.6
|Sep high C = 28.4
|Oct high C = 24.4
|Nov high C = 18.7
|Dec high C = 15.2

|Jan mean C = 10.3
|Feb mean C = 10.8
|Mar mean C = 13.4
|Apr mean C = 15.7
|May mean C = 19.1
|Jun mean C = 22.9
|Jul mean C = 25.9
|Aug mean C = 25.9
|Sep mean C = 23.1
|Oct mean C = 19.5
|Nov mean C = 14.5
|Dec mean C = 10.9
|year mean C =

|Jan low C = 5.6
|Feb low C = 5.8
|Mar low C = 8.2
|Apr low C = 11.1
|May low C = 13.9
|Jun low C = 17.8
|Jul low C = 20.7
|Aug low C = 21.1
|Sep low C = 18.6
|Oct low C = 14.8
|Nov low C = 9.7
|Dec low C = 6.2

|Jan record low C = −5
|Feb record low C = −7
|Mar record low C = −2
|Apr record low C = 2
|May record low C = 5
|Jun record low C = 9
|Jul record low C = 13
|Aug record low C = 11
|Sep record low C = 9
|Oct record low C = 4
|Nov record low C = −1
|Dec record low C = −3
|year record low C =

|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 17.3
|Feb rain mm = 19.1
|Mar rain mm = 21.5
|Apr rain mm = 31.2
|May rain mm = 21.7
|Jun rain mm = 18.7
|Jul rain mm = 4.5
|Aug rain mm = 5.3
|Sep rain mm = 28.0
|Oct rain mm = 46.4
|Nov rain mm = 31.8
|Dec rain mm = 20.2

|Jan rain days = 3.6
|Feb rain days = 2.9
|Mar rain days = 3.1
|Apr rain days = 3.7
|May rain days = 3.7
|Jun rain days = 1.6
|Jul rain days = 0.7
|Aug rain days = 0.9
|Sep rain days = 3.3
|Oct rain days = 4.1
|Nov rain days = 3.8
|Dec rain days = 3.7
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|humidity colour=green
|source 1 = Ayuntamiento de Elche<ref>{{cite web |last1=García |first1=Gregorio Alemañ |title=El palmeiral historico de la ciudad de elche y su acequia mayor: análisis patrimonial y afecciones urbanísticas generadas |url=https://www.fundacionaquae.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Tesis-doctoral-Gregorio-Aleman%CC%83-compressed-2.pdf |publisher= [[University of Alicante]] |page= 38 |access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations|1842|18068|1857|19533|1877|19596|1887|23917|1900|27430|1910|30713|1920|33187|1930|36995|1940|46496|1950|56341|1960|73720|1970|123716|1981|164779|1991|188062|2001|194767|2011|227417|2021|235566|source=[[National Statistics Institute (Spain)|INE]]<ref>{{cite web|title=INEbase. Alterations to the municipalities in the Population Censuses since 1842|url=https://www.ine.es/intercensal/intercensal.do|publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Spain)|National Statistics Institute]]}}</ref>|align=right|cols=1}}
As of 2024, the foreign-born population is 41,700, equal to 17.2% of the total population. The 5 largest foreign nationalities are [[Colombians]] (7,323), [[Moroccans]] (5,975), [[Romanians]] (2,727), [[Argentines|Argentinians]] (2,377) and [[Ecuadorians]] (2,014).<ref name="population"/>
{|class="wikitable floatright"
|+Foreign population by country of birth (2024)<ref name="population"/>
!Country
!Population
|-
|{{Flag|Colombia}}
|7,323
|-
|{{Flag|Morocco}}
|5,975
|-
|{{Flag|Romania}}
|2,727
|-
|{{Flag|Argentina}}
|2,377
|-
|{{Flag|Ecuador}}
|2,014
|-
|{{Flag|Venezuela}}
|1,968
|-
|{{Flag|China}}
|1,699
|-
|{{Flag|Algeria}}
|1,581
|-
|{{Flag|France}}
|1,494
|-
|{{Flag|Paraguay}}
|1,421
|-
|{{Flag|Ukraine}}
|906
|-
|{{Flag|Cuba}}
|837
|-
|{{Flag|United Kingdom}}
|835
|-
|{{Flag|Senegal}}
|731
|-
|{{Flag|Mali}}
|656
|}

== Economy ==
{{Expand Spanish|section=1|topic=geo|Elche|date=May 2013}}
The economy of Elche is based, in large part, on the [[footwear]] industry, with over 1,000 shoe factories, being one of the most important footwear centres in Spain and the rest of [[Europe]] with brands like [[Pura Lopez]], [[Kelme (company)|Kelme]] or {{ill|Panama Jack|es}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Elche y la industria del calzado|url=https://www.elche.es/wp-content/uploads/download-manager-files/Articulo_calzado_economiaelche1.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116042011/https://www.elche.es/wp-content/uploads/download-manager-files/Articulo_calzado_economiaelche1.pdf|archive-date=2021-01-16|access-date=2021-01-14|website=Ajuntament d'Elx|pages=1, 3|language=Spanish}}</ref> There are other economic activities in Elche: [[agriculture]] ([[date palm|date]]s, [[olive]]s, [[cereal]]s and [[pomegranate]]s), although it has lost importance in recent years; [[rubber]] industry;<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Industria. Informes estadísticos anuales Elche 2015|url=https://www.elche.es/wp-content/uploads/download-manager-files/Industria2015.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121065240/https://www.elche.es/wp-content/uploads/download-manager-files/Industria2015.pdf|archive-date=2021-01-21|access-date=2021-01-15|website=Ajuntament d'Elx|page=4|language=Spanish}}</ref> [[trade]], which employs 20% of the workforce; aerospace ([[PLD Space]]); and [[tourism]].

Elche has a conference centre (called ''Ciutat d'Elx''), an [[international airport]] (''[[Alicante Airport|Aeropuerto de Alicante]]''), a public University, [[Universidad Miguel Hernández]], and a private University, [[Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera]].

== Culture ==

=== Cultural theatrical spaces ===

==== The Grand Theater ====
The Elche Grand Theater is a theatrical space constructed at the beginning of the 20th Century, created by the architect Alfonso Garín. It was opened in 1920 with the name Kursaal Theater. The interior of the room is in a horseshoe shape, where an orchestra section in front of the stage and two amphitheaters with box seats on the sides can be found. At the beginning of the 90s, the building was acquired by the local government, becoming municipal property. After a reform, the theater was reopened on May 16, 1996, by Queen Sofía. The theater is found in the historical area of the city, very close to the Glorieta. The Grand Theater houses all types of theatrical, dance, and musical performances.

==== L’Escorxador Centre for Contemporary Culture ====
Opened on November 7, 2008, in the installations of the old Elche Slaughterhouse - constructed in the decade of 1940 - is a 5000 m<sup>2</sup> space oriented to the young public. The complex is divided into four pavilions: in the first one there is a theatrical space with more than 150 chairs, allocated for housing theatrical, resonant, and visual art shows; the second pavilion, called The Nave, is home to the multipurpose room where plastic art exhibitions, as well as open essays and special representations of performance, theater and music, are celebrated; in the third, rehearsal rooms that are available for rent, loan or assignment for the sound arts can be found; the fourth pavilion is the most spacious of the four, and houses the different studios that the center has as well as a small room of temporary exhibitions called Sala Lanart. In addition to the pavilions, the centre  has - since 2009 - a terrace in which performances and projections can be carried out outside.

==== La Llotja Cultural Room ====
The room is located in the remodelled installations of the old fruit and vegetable market from the Altabix neighbourhood constructed between 1941 and 1942. It was opened on April 12, 2008, and is a place where dance, theater, and music shows intended for young audiences are carried out, as well as school graduations and other events that can take place in it. In the time of elections, it is used as an electoral college.

=== Museums ===

==== Alejandro Ramos Folqués Archaeological and History Museum of Elche ====
The Alejandro Ramos Folqués Archaeological and History Museum of Elche has been turned into an archaeological cultural model at a regional level of great importance. Situated in the interior of the Altamira Palace - in the Elche historical center and very close to Saint María basilica - it was opened on May 18, 2006, with a grand exhibition about Iberic culture, among where the Lady of Elche was found - one of the most significant pieces of Iberic art, transferred temporarily by the National Archaeological Museum for six months (from May 18 to November 1, 2006).

Like a permanent exhibition, the museum offers a general overview of the distinct stages that have been taking place in the city, such as the Neolithic, the Copper Age, the Bronze Age, the Iberian stage, the process of Romanization, the Visigothic era, and the Islamic settlement (current site of the city) until the present.

The archaeological remains come from, among others, the Alcudia site, Elche Park (situated in one of the gardens in the city and which has provided important sculptural remains) and El Arenero de Monforte del Cid.

==== Festa Museum ====
The Festa Museum, about the Mystery of Elche, originated with the intention of showing La Festa to the visitors that come to the city throughout the year. The museum is made of two rooms: the first is where scenic tradition that involves the Mystery is collected, which can be posters, sketches, crowns, costumes, guitars...and the other is a more dynamic room, where new technologies are used, combining many visual images like typical smells and sounds from La Festa. Part of the museum is located in what was Saint Sebastian's Shrine, which is also closely linked to Assumptionist drama and was restored for the purpose of creating the museum.

Palm Grove Museum (Palmeral Museum)

==== Museo del Palmeral ====
The Palm Grove Museum, found in a traditional house of the Garden of Saint Placidus (Huerto de San Plácido), close to the Garden of Healing (Huerto del Cura). The museum is dedicated to recognizing the municipal relationship with the palm groves. It shows the origins, history, culture of the palm grove, as well as the uses and its evolution. In the rooms, an overview of the history of the Palm Grove is shown through videos, panels, demonstrative elements and sounds, which continues with a visit to its own garden outside.

==== The Traditional Culture Centre Pusol School Museum ====
The Traditional Culture Center Pusol School Museum was created in the year 1969 as an activity linked to the Pedagogical Project “The School and its Fear,” which developed the study of the purposes and traditions of the Field of Elche (Campo de Elche). In the museum, unique collections are housed that show distinct ethnological aspects (agriculture, business, industry, folklore, traditions, etc.) available for scientific studies at all levels. In 2009, it was included by UNESCO in the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices for Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In addition to these, other museums and places of interest exist in Elche:

* Paleontological Museum in the plaza of Saint Juan Church.
* Alcudia Museum, situated in the archaeological site where the Lady of Elche was found.
* Museum of Contemporary Art, in the Raval neighborhood.
* Museum of the Assumption of the Virgin, Patron Saint of Elche Museum dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin.
* Visitors center in the Municipal Park, with audiovisual projections about the city.
* Municipal Centre of Exhibitions, with seasonal nature exhibitions.
* The Centre of Exhibitions of the Lonja, which is situated on the first floor of the Town Hall, occasionally houses exhibitions, primarily with themes related to the city.
* Espai d’Art, a walk near the Municipal Park with contemporary art sculptures.
* Arabian baths, which are found in the inside of the Clarisas Convent.

=== Festivities ===

* Holy Week: as [[Holy Week in Spain|generally in Spain]], several [[procession]]s (festive religious parades) occur during the festive period.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Semana Santa de Elche 2019 - La Guía W - La Guía Definitiva - Encuentra lo que quieras, donde quieras|url=https://laguiaw.com/eventos/13943-semana-santa-de-elche-2019|access-date=2021-01-12|language=es}}</ref> with the [[Elche Palm Sunday Procession]] being a [[Fiesta of International Tourist Interest]] 
* [[Moros y cristianos|Moros i Cristians]]: it occurs in the first fortnight of August. The theme of this festivity is the Muslim rule that occurred in the High Middle Ages and part of the Late Middle Ages and the battles which took place between Christians and Muslims as a consequence of this occupation. A more specific subject of this festivity is the ''[[Reconquista]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Moros y Cristianos – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/fiestas/moros-y-cristianos/|access-date=2021-01-11|website=VisitElche – Portal oficial de Turismo de la ciudad española de Elche|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114092118/https://www.visitelche.com/en/fiestas/moros-y-cristianos/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Nit de la Roà: it takes place in mid-August.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nit de la Roà – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/fiestas/nit-de-la-roa/|access-date=2021-01-11|website=VisitElche – Portal oficial de Turismo de la ciudad española de Elche|language=es|archive-date=2020-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202122423/http://www.visitelche.com/fiestas/nit-de-la-roa/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Christmas: A nativity scene is placed in the town and a living nativity scene also occurs during the festive period. A parade which theme is the Three Wise Men is also performed in the Epiphany's Eve (5 January).<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Programa Fiestas Navidad Elche 2018 - La Guía W|url=https://laguiaw.com/eventos/13571-programa-fiestas-navidad-elche-2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121002050/https://laguiaw.com/eventos/13571-programa-fiestas-navidad-elche-2018|archive-date=2021-01-21|access-date=2021-01-15|website=|language=Spanish}}</ref>

== Main sights ==
[[File:Basílica de Santa María, Elche, España, 2014-07-05, DD 03.JPG|thumb|Basilica of Santa María de Elche]]
[[File:Elche el palmeral.JPG|thumb|Palmeral of Elche ("The Palm Grove of Elche")]]
[[File:Joves i grans al Raval d'Elx.jpg|thumb|Old part of the city, Barrio del Raval]]

* [[Palmeral of Elche]] ("The Palm Grove of Elche", ''Palmerar d'Elx'' in Valencian). It is an orchard of over 200,000 [[palm tree]]s that was declared a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]] in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The palm grove or Palmeral of Elche-Elx in Alicante. History and information {{!}} spain.info in english|url=https://www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/palm-grove/|access-date=2021-01-10|website=Spain.info|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027234944/https://www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/palm-grove/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Altamira Castle, also known as ''Alcázar de la Señoría'', located next to the Municipal Park (which, in turn, is a part of the Elche Palm Grove). It was originally built in [[Almohad]] times (12th-13th centuries), and was later renovated with brick exterior in the 15th century. A former fortress, in 1913 it became a fabric plant, it has also been used as the town hall and as a prison during the [[Spanish Civil War]], while today is home to the [[Elche Archaeology and History Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Palacio de Altamira – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/monumentos/palacio-de-altamira/|access-date=2021-01-23|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030154838/http://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/monumentos/palacio-de-altamira/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Baños Arabes'' (Arabic Baths), which re-uses old Roman baths.
* Basilica of Santa Maria: The current temple was built in 1672. Previously, there were other temples in the same place, but they disappeared owing to several factors. It has a la Latin-cross plan, a large nave and four side chapels. A large dome has been constructed over the crossing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Basilica of Santa María in Elche {{!}} spain.info in english|url=https://www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/santa-maria-basilica/|access-date=2021-01-10|website=Spain.info|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020004538/https://www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/santa-maria-basilica/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Basílica de Santa María – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/monumentos/basilica-de-santa-maria/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112055326/https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/monumentos/basilica-de-santa-maria/|archive-date=2021-01-12|access-date=2021-01-10|website=VisitElche – Portal oficial de Turismo de la ciudad española de Elche.|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Calahorra Tower, of rectangular plan and [[Arabic]] origin, it represents the last relic of the old city walls.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Torre de la Calahorra – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/monumentos/torre-de-la-calahorra/|access-date=2021-01-10|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112014522/https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/monumentos/torre-de-la-calahorra/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Municipio'' (Town Hall): it includes a tower named ''la torre del consell'', and it is the most ancient structure in the south of the [[Valencian Community]]. It was built in the mid-15th century.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ayuntamiento – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/monumentos/ayuntamiento/|access-date=2021-01-14|language=en-US}}</ref>
* ''Convento de la Merced'': it was built in a place where there were Arabic baths. It dates back to 1270, when the prince Juan Manuel bestowed the baths to the grand master of a religious order.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Convento de la Merced – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/monumentos/convento-de-la-merced/|access-date=2021-01-10|website=Elche: Oasis mediterráneo|language=es|archive-date=2021-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112045608/https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/monumentos/convento-de-la-merced/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[Huerto del Cura]]'': it is part of the ''Palmeral of Elche'' and hosts nearly 500 palm trees''.'' There are individuals of the [[Roystonea oleracea|imperial palm]] species.<ref>{{Cite web|title=El Huerto del Cura Garden. Elche. Information and sights {{!}} spain.info in english|url=https://www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/huerto-del-cura-garden/|access-date=2021-01-10|website=Spain.info|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Elche Palaeontological Museum]]: more than 1,200 fossils are on display in the museum. Some elements such as remains of mastodons and replicas of dinosaurs are placed in the building.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Museo Paleontológico – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/museos/museo-paleontologico/|access-date=2021-01-12|website=VisitElche – Portal oficial de Turismo de la ciudad española de Elche.|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Elche Municipal Festa Museum]]: it was built in 1997 and it hosts elements about the ''Misteri d'Elx'' performance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Museo de la Festa (o Misteri d'Elx) – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/museos/museo-de-la-festa-o-misteri-delx/|access-date=2021-01-15|website=VisitElche – Portal oficial de Turismo de la ciudad española de Elche.|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Palm Groves Museum]]: This museum is allocated in a traditional 19th century building. This museum is devoted to the history, the evolution and the characteristics of the ''Palmeral of Elche''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Museo del palmeral – VisitElche|url=https://www.visitelche.com/en/cultura/museos/museo-del-palmeral/|access-date=2021-01-15|website=VisitElche – Portal oficial de Turismo de la ciudad española de Elche.|language=en-US}}</ref>

The [[Mystery Play of Elx]] (better known as ''Misteri d'Elx'', in Valencian) is a sacral-lyrical medieval drama, dated from the 15th century, which was declared a [[Masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity|Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]] by [[UNESCO]] in 2002. It is played every year in mid-August, in the context of the local holidays dedicated to the [[Assumption of Mary|Assumption of Virgin Mary]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Misterio de Elche religious theatre. 11/08/2021. Fiestas in Elche {{!}} spain.info in english|url=https://www.spain.info/en/calendar/elche-mystery-play/|access-date=2021-01-10|website=Spain.info|language=en|archive-date=2020-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927175755/https://www.spain.info/en/calendar/elche-mystery-play/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also as a part of this celebration, on 13 August is the date of a celebration in Elche called Nit de l'Albà (Night of the Dawn) in which a citywide night-long show of fireworks takes place.

==Transport==
The [[Alicante–Elche Airport]], the [[List of the busiest airports in Spain|fifth-busiest in Spain]] is located in the municipality of Elche, around {{convert|10|km||abbr=off}} east from the city centre.

There is a railway linking [[Alicante railway station|Alicante]] and [[Murcia del Carmen railway station|Murcia del Carmen]] which runs through a single track tunnel underneath the city, with two underground stations; '''Elche-Parque''' ({{langx|ca-valencia|Elx-Parc}}) and '''Elche-Carrús''' ({{langx|ca-valencia|Elx-Carrús}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diarioinformacion.com/elche/2018/10/14/tunel-cambio-ciudad/2073748.html|title=El túnel que cambió Elche|website=Diario Información|date=14 October 2018|access-date=3 April 2020|language=es|archive-date=30 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730233005/https://www.diarioinformacion.com/elche/2018/10/14/tunel-cambio-ciudad/2073748.html|url-status=live}}</ref> These are served by line C–1 of the [[Cercanías Murcia/Alicante]] [[commuter rail]] service, along with [[Renfe Operadora|Media Distancia]] trains between [[Estació del Nord (Valencia)|Valencia Nord station]] and Murcia.

The [[Madrid–Levante high-speed rail network]] was extended to reach a station named '''Elx/Elche AV''' in the Matola area in 2021, branching off from the line to Alicante near [[Monforte del Cid]]. The [[AVE]] station contains parking space for 500 cars and 50 motorcycles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diarioinformacion.com/elche/2019/02/04/alcalde-aplaude-llegada-ave-elche/2114499.html|title=Dos horas y media de Elche a Madrid, en AVE|website=Diario Información|date=4 February 2019|access-date=29 August 2019|language=es|archive-date=30 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830001307/https://www.diarioinformacion.com/elche/2019/02/04/alcalde-aplaude-llegada-ave-elche/2114499.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Urban buses ([[:es:Autobuses Urbanos de Elche|''Autobuses Urbanos de Elche S.A''.]]), operate a number of circular routes throughout the city, and since 2025, also operate services to the hamlets surrounding the city. These service the high speed AVE station Elche-Matola, [[Alicante–Elche Airport]] and nearly costal hamlets of El Altet, Arenales del Sol and La Marina.

The city's bus station is serviced by a number of companies offering regional and long-distance destinations. The Elx Rodalia service, operated by Vectalia Movilidad, connects the city with nearby destinations like [[Alicante]], [[Crevillent]]e and [[Santa Pola]]. The transport company [[Alsa (bus company)|Alsa]], offer bus services to destinations further afield like, [[Valencia]], [[Barcelona]] and [[Madrid]].

The [[Autopista AP-7]] (Autopista del Mediterráneo) which serves the east and southern coastlines of the country, serves the outskirts of the city.

==Notable people==
*[[Marceliano Coquillat]] (1865–1924), architect
*[[Saúl Ñíguez]] (born 1994), footballer. He is currently playing in [[La Liga|Liga BBVA]] for [[Atlético Madrid|Atlético de Madrid]].
*[[Aarón Ñíguez]] (born 1989), footballer
*[[Sílvia Soler Espinosa]] (born 1987), former tennis player. She played in tournaments in the [[WTA Tour|WTA]]. Her record position was semifinalist in the Strasbourg tour.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2020-05-16|title=Silvia Soler se despide con una bonita carta: "Te quiero, tenis"|language=Spanish|work=As|url=https://as.com/tenis/2020/05/15/mas_tenis/1589571368_938430.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-01-23|archive-date=2020-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616183245/https://as.com/tenis/2020/05/15/mas_tenis/1589571368_938430.html}}</ref>
*[[Francisco Mojica]] (born 1963), microbiologist, noted for his research on the [[CRISPR]] gene editing technique<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2016-01-16|title=El español olvidado que vislumbró la técnica genética más importante del siglo|language=Spanish|work=El Confidencial|url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/tecnologia/2016-01-16/crispr-francis-mojica-charpentier-doudna-edicion-genomica_1136337/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-01-24|archive-date=2021-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119013057/https://www.elconfidencial.com/tecnologia/2016-01-16/crispr-francis-mojica-charpentier-doudna-edicion-genomica_1136337/}}</ref>

== Twin towns - sister cities ==
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Toulouse]], France<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Mairie de Toulouse|url=https://www.toulouse.fr/web/la-mairie/europe-international/cooperations-et-jumelages/jumelage|title=Jumelages|access-date=2020-07-08|archive-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716031321/https://www.toulouse.fr/web/la-mairie/europe-international/cooperations-et-jumelages/jumelage|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[San Bartolomé de Tirajana]], Spain<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canarias7.es/siete-islas/gran-canaria/sur/la-tristeza-de-una-fuente-seca-GI695901|website=Canarias7|title=La tristeza de una fuente seca|date=8 May 2017|access-date=8 July 2020|archive-date=8 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708085418/https://www.canarias7.es/siete-islas/gran-canaria/sur/la-tristeza-de-una-fuente-seca-GI695901|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Jaca]], Spain<ref>{{Cite journal|page=1|url=http://www.elpirineoaragones.com/system/pdfs/6271/original/6.472-110909.pdf?1335610343|date=11 September 2009|issue=6472|title=Jaca y Elche consolidan su compromiso de colaboración|journal=El Pirineo Aragonés|access-date=8 July 2020|archive-date=11 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711111235/http://www.elpirineoaragones.com/system/pdfs/6271/original/6.472-110909.pdf?1335610343|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
* [[Elche CF]]
* [[Medieval Festival of Elx]]
* [[Route of the Castles of Vinalopó]]

== References ==
;Citations
{{Reflist|30em}}
;Bibliography

* Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopedia. "Elche". Encyclopædia Britannica, 9 Feb 2014, https://www.britannica.com/place/Elche.
* The Editors of Spain.info. “Tourism in Elche.” Spain.info, https://www.spain.info/en/destination/elche-elx/.
* The Editors of WordReference. “Word Reference.” Wordreference.com, n.d., https://www.wordreference.com/.
* The Editors of Wiktionary. "Dándose." Wiktionary, The Free Dictionary. 25 May 2017, https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=d%C3%A1ndose&oldid=44505375.
* Royuela, María. “The Register of Good Safeguarding Practices for Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Pusol School Museum.” ResearchGate, Dec 2018, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341119955_The_Register_of_Good_Safeguarding_Practices_for_Intangible_Cultural_Heritage_The_Pusol_School_Museum.
* {{Cite journal|url=https://rua.ua.es/dspace/bitstream/10045/112420/1/Marco-Lajara_etal_2021_RevEspacios.pdf|year=2021|title=Los distritos industriales zapateros de las comarcas españolas del Vinalopó: Un análisis detallado|volume=42|issue=2|issn=0798-1015|doi= 10.48082/espacios-a21v42n02p15|journal=Revista Espacios|location=San Vicente del Raspeig|publisher=[[Universidad de Alicante]]|last1=Marco Lajara|first1=Bartolomé|pages=185–202|last2=Zaragoza Saez|first2=Patrocinio C.|last3=Martínez Falcó|first3=Javier|last4=Seva Larrosa|first4=Pedro|s2cid=234014433 }}
* {{Cite journal|issue=4|year=1993|title=De la tradición artesana a la especialización industrial. El calzado valenciano, 1850-1930|first=José Antonio|last=Miranda Encarnación|journal=Revista de Historia Industrial|pages=11–36|url=https://www.raco.cat/index.php/HistoriaIndustrial/article/view/62492/84803|issn=1132-7200}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikivoyage|Elche}}
* [https://www.elche.es Ayuntamiento de Elche], Elche Municipality {{in lang|ca-valencia|es}} 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070926130554/http://ive.infocentre.gva.es/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/IVE_PEGV/CONTENTS/mun/fichas/cas/Fichas/03065.pdf Instituto Valenciano de Estadística] City Official Statistics {{in lang|ca-valencia|es}}
* [http://www.turismedelx.com/en/ Turisme d'Elx], City Council Official Tourist guide {{in lang|en|ca-valencia|es}}
* [http://www.visitelche.com/ Visit Elche]
{{Clear}}

<!--[[File:Panoramica elche1.jpg|1000px|thumb|center|The skyline of Elche]] -->

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