View source for Valencia

{{Short description|Municipality in Spain}}
{{About|the city in Spain||Valencia (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2020}}
{{refimprove|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Valencia
| native_name        = {{lang|ca-valencia|'''València'''}}
| official_name      = <!-- same as native name -->
| settlement_type    = [[Municipalities in Spain|Municipality]]
| image_skyline      = {{Multiple image
  | perrow = 1/2/2/1
  | border = infobox
  | total_width = 280 
  | caption_align = center
  | image1 = Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències at night, May 2017.jpg
  | caption1 = [[City of Arts and Sciences]]
  | image2 = Puerta de los Serranos, Valencia, España, 2014-06-30, DD 86.JPG
  | caption2 = [[Torres de Serranos|Torres de Serrans]]
  | image3 = Malvarrosa Beach, Valencia, Spain (29812271043).jpg
  | caption3 = Malvarrosa Beach and promenade
  | image4 = Valencia, loggia della seta, interno, sala delle contrattazioni, 01,0.jpg
  | caption4 = [[Llotja de la Seda]]
  | image5 = Ayuntamiento de Valencia, España, 2014-06-30, DD 121.JPG
  | caption5 = [[Valencia City Hall|City hall]] 
  | image6 = Valencia-20120611-00283 (cropped).jpg
  | caption6 = [[Nou Mestalla]] Stadium and [[List of tallest buildings in Valencia|skyscrapers]]
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of the Land of Valencia (official).svg
| image_seal         = 
| seal_size          = 
| image_shield       = Coat of Arms of Valencia (Spain).svg
| shield_size        = 80px
| image_blank_emblem = 
| blank_emblem_type  = 
| blank_emblem_size  = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_map          = 
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-shape = yes
| mapframe-marker = city
| mapframe-caption = Interactive map of Valencia
| map_caption        = Location of Valencia
| pushpin_map        = Spain Valencia#Spain#Europe
| coordinates        = {{Coord|39|28|12|N|00|22|35|W|region:ES-V_type:city(808,000)|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[Sovereign state|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 Valencia|Valencia]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Comarcas of the Valencian Community|Comarca]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Horta of Valencia]]
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 138 BC
| parts              = {{No bold|19 ''districts''}}
| parts_type         = Districts
| parts_style        = coll
| p1                 = Ciutat Vella
| p2                 = Eixample
| p3                 = Extramurs
| p4                 = Campanar
| p5                 = Saïdia
| p6                 = Pla del Real
| p7                 = Olivereta
| p8                 = Patraix
| p9                 = Jesús
| p10                = Quatre Carreres
| p11                = Poblats Marítims
| p12                = Camins al Grau
| p13                = Algirós
| p14                = Benimaclet
| p15                = Rascanya
| p16                = Benicalap
| p17                = Pobles del Nord
| p18                = Pobles de l'Oest
| p19                = Pobles del Sud
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Ayuntamiento (Spain)|Ajuntament]]
| governing_body     = [[Ajuntament de València]]
| leader_party       = [[People's Party (Spain)|PP]]; since 2023
| leader_title       = [[Alcalde|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[María José Catalá]]
| total_type         = 
| unit_pref          = 
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 134.65
| area_urban_km2     = 628.81
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_land_sq_mi    = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_sq_mi   = 
| area_water_percent = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 15
| elevation_ft       = 
| population_as_of   = 2024
| population_footnotes = <ref name="population">{{cite web |url=https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Tabla.htm?t=68538&L=1|title=Annual population census 2021-2024|publisher=[[National Statistics Institute (Spain)|INE]]}}</ref>
| population_total   = 824340
| population_density_km2 = 5852
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_urban   = 1,595,000<ref name="WorldUrbanAreas"/>
| population_metro   = 2,522,383<ref name="MetroRegion"/>
| population_demonym = [[Valencian people|Valencian]]<br />• ''valencià'',&nbsp;''-ana''&nbsp;([[Valencian language|Val.]])<br />• ''valenciano'',&nbsp;''-na''&nbsp;([[Spanish language|Sp.]]){{Infobox
 | child=yes
 | rowclass1 = mergedrow
 | label1 = Official language(s)
 | data1 = {{hlist|[[Valencian language|Valencian]]|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]}}
}}
| population_note    = 
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/met_10r_3gdp/default/table?lang=en|title=Gross domestic product (GDP) at current market prices by metropolitan regions|last=|first=|date=|website=ec.europa.eu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215185052/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/met_10r_3gdp/default/table?lang=en|archive-date=15 February 2023|access-date=|url-status=live}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Metro
| demographics2_info1 = €56.413 billion (2020)
| timezone1          = CET (GMT)
| utc_offset1        = +01:00
| timezone1_DST      = CEST (GMT)
| utc_offset1_DST    = +02:00
| postal_code_type   = Postcode
| postal_code        = 46000-46080
| area_code          = 
| blank_name_sec1    = [[ISO 3166-2:ES|ISO 3166-2]]
| blank_info_sec1    = ES-V
| website            = {{Official URL}}
| twin1              = 
| module             = 
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Valencia''' ({{IPAc-en|v|ə|ˈ|l|ɛ|n|s|i|ə}} {{respell|və|LEN|see|ə}} {{small|or}} {{IPAc-en|v|ə|ˈ|l|ɛ|n|ʃ|(|i|)|ə}} {{respell|və|LEN|sh(ee|)ə}}, {{IPA|es|baˈlenθja|lang|Pronunciation of Valencia in Spanish.ogg}}), officially '''València''' ({{IPA|ca-valencia|vaˈlensia|lang|link=yes}}), is the capital of the [[Province of Valencia|province]] and [[Autonomous communities of Spain|autonomous community]] of [[Valencian Community|the same name]] in Spain. It is located on the banks of the [[Turia (river)|Turia]], on the east coast of the [[Iberian Peninsula]] on the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. With a population of 824,340, it is the [[Ranked lists of Spanish municipalities#By population|third-largest city in Spain]].<ref name="population" /> The urban area of Valencia has 1.6 million people while the metropolitan region has 2.5 million.

Valencia was founded as a [[Roman Republic|Roman]] colony in 138&nbsp;BC as ''{{ill|Valentia Edetanorum|es}}''. As an autonomous city in late antiquity, its militarization followed the onset of the threat posed by the [[Spania|Byzantine presence to the South]], together with effective integration to the [[Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo]] in the late 6th century.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.oiasso.com/images/Ribera-Valencia-Visigoda.pdf|title=La ciudad de Valencia durante el período visigodo|first=Albert Vicent|journal=Zona arqueológica|location=Alcalá de Henares|publisher=[[Regional Archaeological Museum of the Community of Madrid|Museo Arqueológico Regional]]|issn=1579-7384|issue=9|year=2008|last=Ribera i Lacomba|page=311}}</ref> [[Al-Andalus|Islamic rule]] and acculturation ensued in the 8th century, together with the introduction of new irrigation systems and crops. With the [[Crown of Aragon|Aragonese]] Christian conquest in 1238, the city became the capital of the [[Kingdom of Valencia]]. 

Due to trade with the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, Italian ports, and other Mediterranean locations, the city thrived in the 15th century and Valencia had become one of the largest European cities by the end of the century. The emergence of the [[Atlantic World]] affected Mediterranean trade in the global trade networks and, along with insecurity created by [[Barbary pirates|Barbary piracy]] throughout the 16th century. Although the 16th century had been notable for the large number of religious foundations which, according to one estimate, suggested that one third of its area had been occupied by religious buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Valencia |url=https://whc.unesco.org/archive/websites/valencia/us/city/pgs/cit.history.htm |access-date=13 June 2023 |website=whc.unesco.org |archive-date=23 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023220304/https://whc.unesco.org/archive/websites/valencia/us/city/pgs/cit.history.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The city's economic activity suffered a crisis following the [[expulsion of the Moriscos]] in 1609.

The city became a major [[silk]] manufacturing centre in the 18th century. During the [[Spanish Civil War]], the city served as the provisional seat of the [[Second Spanish Republic|Spanish Government]] from 1936 to 1937.

The [[Port of Valencia]] is one of the busiest container ports in Europe and the [[Mediterranean]]. The city is ranked as a Gamma-level [[global city]] by the [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network]].<ref name=GAWC/> Valencia has numerous celebrations and traditions, such as the ''[[Valencia Fallas|Falles]]'' (or ''Fallas''), which were declared a [[Fiestas of National Tourist Interest of Spain|Fiesta of National Tourist Interest of Spain]] in 1965<ref>{{cite news |date=15 December 2009 |editor=Conselleria de turisme de la Comunitat Valenciana |title=Listado de Fiestas de Interés Turístico de La Comunitat Valenciana Declaradas por la Conselleria de Turisme |url=https://www.turisme.gva.es/opencms/opencms/turisme/es/files/pdf/tramitacion/declaracion_interes_tur/FITCV_15_12_2009.pdf |access-date=2 November 2025}}</ref> and an [[intangible cultural heritage]] by [[UNESCO]] in November 2016. The city was selected as the {{ill|European Capital of Sport|qid=Q6396086}} 2011, the [[World Design Capital]] 2022 and the [[European Green Capital Award|European Green Capital]] 2024.<ref>{{citation |url=https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/urban-environment/european-green-capital-award/winning-cities/valencia-2024_en |title=Valencia. European Green Capital 2024 |editor=European Commission}}</ref>

==Name==
[[File:Sello plaza de la virgen valencia.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|left|Roman [[cornucopia]], symbol of Valentia, found on the floor of a Roman building excavated in the Plaça de la Mare de Déu]]

The [[Latin]] name of the city was Valēntia ({{IPA|la|waˈlɛːntija}}), meaning "strength" or "valour", due to the Roman practice of recognising the valour of former Roman soldiers after a war. The Roman historian [[Livy]] explains that the founding of Valentia in the 2nd&nbsp;century&nbsp;BC was due to the settling of the Roman soldiers who fought against a [[Lusitania]]n rebel, [[Viriatus]], during the Third Raid of the [[Lusitanian War]].<ref name="Astin1989">{{cite book |author=Astin, A. E. |title=The Cambridge Ancient History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Oe1u1H_OSMC&pg=PA140 |year=1989 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-23448-1 |page=140 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=5 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505125245/https://books.google.com/books?id=5Oe1u1H_OSMC&pg=PA140 |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the period of Islamic rule, the city was called ''Medina at-Tarab'' ('City of Joy') according to one transliteration, or ''Medina at-Turab'' ('City of Sands') according to another, since it was located on the banks of the River Turia. It is not clear if an Arabised variant of the Latin name (''Balansiyya'') referred to the greater [[Taifa of Valencia]], or just the city itself.<ref name=Galbis2009>{{cite web |author1=Galbis, Agustí |title=La ciutat de Valencia i El nom de "Madinat al-Turab" |url=https://agustigalbis.wordpress.com/category/del-sit-a-jaume-i/page/4/ |website=Del Sit a Jaume I "Bloc en els artículs d'Agustí Galbis |access-date=24 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407144424/https://agustigalbis.wordpress.com/category/del-sit-a-jaume-i/page/4/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 |language=ca |date=19 June 2009}}</ref>

Via gradual phonetic changes, ''Valentia'' became ''Valencia'' {{IPA|es|baˈlenθja}} in [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and ''València'' {{IPA|ca|vaˈlensia|}} in [[Valencian language|Valencian]]. In Valencian, an ''e'' with a grave accent (''è'') indicates {{IPA|ca|ɛ|}} in contrast to {{IPA|ca|e|}}, but the word ''València'' is an exception to this rule, since ''è'' is pronounced {{IPA|ca|e|}}. The spelling "València" was approved by the [[Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua]] (AVL) based on tradition after a debate on the matter. The name "València" has been the only official name of the city since 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dogv.gva.es/datos/2017/02/14/pdf/2017_1189.pdf |author=Generalitat Valenciana |title=Decret 16/2017, de 10 de febrer, del Consell, pel qual s'aprova el canvi de denominació del municipi de Valencia per la forma exclusiva en valencià de València. [2017/1189] |language=ca, es |date=14 February 2017 |access-date=29 June 2020 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121134738/http://www.dogv.gva.es/datos/2017/02/14/pdf/2017_1189.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, the Commission of Culture of the municipal corporation agreed in principle on a dual official denomination {{lang|es|Valencia}}/{{lang|ca|Valéncia}}, with the [[History of the far-right in Spain|far right]] managing to impose{{Editorializing|date=February 2024}} a non-standard acute accent in the ''e'' of the Valencian-language name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eldiario.es/comunitat-valenciana/valencia/pp-pasa-avl-horas-despues-reunion-mazon-acuerda-vox-denominacion-bilingue-valencia-fuera-normativa-valencia_1_10526871.html|website=[[eldiario.es]]|first=Carlos|last=Navarro Castelló|title=El PP pasa de la AVL horas después de la reunión con Mazón y acuerda con Vox una denominación bilingüe de Valencia fuera de la normativa: Valéncia|date=19 September 2023|access-date=20 September 2023|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921230905/https://www.eldiario.es/comunitat-valenciana/valencia/pp-pasa-avl-horas-despues-reunion-mazon-acuerda-vox-denominacion-bilingue-valencia-fuera-normativa-valencia_1_10526871.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/comunidad-valenciana/2023-09-19/discordia-acento-valencia-desafio-pp-vox-avl-rae_3738001/|website=[[El Confidencial]]|date=19 September 2023|title="València o Valéncia": PP y Vox desafían a la 'RAE valenciana' y le cambian la tilde a la ciudad|first=Víctor|last=Romero|access-date=20 September 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922045022/https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/comunidad-valenciana/2023-09-19/discordia-acento-valencia-desafio-pp-vox-avl-rae_3738001/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of Valencia}}
{{For timeline}}

===Roman colony===
[[File:Museu d'Història de València, detall del mosaic de la Medusa.jpg|thumb|right|Detail of 2nd-century Roman mosaic found in the city]]

Valencia is one of the oldest cities in Spain, founded in the Roman period {{Circa|138 BC}} as ''Valentia Edetanorum''.<ref name="Law1999">{{cite book|author=Gwillim Law|title=Administrative Subdivisions of Countries: A Comprehensive World Reference, 1900 through 1998|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nXCeCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA340|year=1999|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-0447-3|page=340}}</ref> A few centuries later, with the power vacuum left by the demise of the Roman imperial administration, the [[Catholic Church]] assumed power in the city, coinciding with the first waves of the invading Germanic peoples ([[Suebi]], [[Vandals]], [[Alans]], and later [[Visigoths]]).

===Middle Ages===
After the fall of the [[Western Roman Empire]], Valencia became part of the [[Visigothic Kingdom]] from 546 to 711 AD.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Valentia (138 a.c. - 711) {{!}} Museu d'Història de València |url=https://mhv.valencia.es/es/historia-viva/valentia-138-ac-711 |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=mhv.valencia.es |archive-date=20 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420094735/https://mhv.valencia.es/es/historia-viva/valentia-138-ac-711 |url-status=live }}</ref> The city surrendered to the invading [[Moors]] about 714 AD.<ref name="Sanz2003">{{cite book |author=Coscollá Sanz, Vicente |title=La Valencia musulmana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZxclI2EHjrMC&pg=PA16 |year=2003 |publisher=Carena Editors, S. L. |isbn=978-84-87398-75-9 |page=16 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=27 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427145425/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZxclI2EHjrMC&pg=PA16 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Abd al-Rahman I]] laid waste to old Valencia by 788–789.{{Sfn|Torró|2009|p=159}} From then on, the name of Valencia (Arabised as ''Balansiya'') appears more related to the wider area than to the city, which is primarily cited as ''Madînat al-Turâb'' ('city of earth' or 'sand') and presumably had diminished importance throughout the period.{{Sfn|Torró|2009|p=160}} During the emiral period, the surrounding territory, under the ascendancy of Berber chieftains, was prone to unruliness.{{Sfn|Torró|2009|p=161}} In the wake of the start of the [[fitna of al-Andalus]], Valencia became the head of an independent emirate, the [[Taifa of Valencia]].{{Sfn|Torró|2009|p=163}} It was initially controlled by [[eunuch]]s,{{Sfn|Torró|2009|p=163}} and then, after 1021, by Abd al-Azîz (a grandson of [[Almanzor]]).{{Sfn|Torró|2009|pp=164–165}} Valencia experienced notable urban development in this period.{{Sfn|Torró|2009|p=165}} Many Jews lived in Valencia, including the accomplished Jewish poet and philosopher [[Solomon ibn Gabirol]], who spent his last years in the city.<ref name=Angel>Saénz-Badillos, Ángel. "Valencia". IN: ''Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World'', Executive Editor Norman A. Stillman. First published online: 2010.</ref> After a damaging offensive by Castilian–Leonese forces towards 1065, the territory became a satellite of the [[Taifa of Toledo]], and following the fall of the latter in 1085, a protectorate of "[[El Cid]]". A revolt erupted in 1092, handing the city to the [[Almoravid dynasty|Almoravids]] and forcing El Cid to [[Siege of Valencia (1092–1094)|take the city by force]] in 1094, henceforth establishing [[Lordship of Valencia|his own principality]].{{Sfn|Torró|2009|pp=166–167}}

Following the evacuation of the city in 1102, the Almoravids took control. As the Almoravid empire crumbled in the mid 12th-century, [[Abū ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad ibn Saʿd ibn Mardanīsh|ibn Mardanīsh]] took control of eastern al-Andalus, creating a Murcia-centred independent emirate to which Valencia belonged, resisting the [[Almohad Caliphate|Almohads]] until 1172.{{Sfn|Torró|2009|p=168}} During the Almohad rule, the city perhaps had a population of about 20,000.{{Sfn|Torró|2009|p=169}} When the city fell to [[James I of Aragon]], the Jewish population constituted about 7 per cent of the total population.<ref name=Angel/>

[[File:Plat àrab València.jpg|thumb|12th-century Arab dish]]
In 1238,<ref name="Guichard2001">{{cite book |author=Guichard, Pierre |title=Al-Andalus frente a la conquista cristiana: los musulmanes de Valencia, siglos XI-XIII |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0vrzEdzdOMUC&pg=PA176 |year=2001 |publisher=Universitat de València |isbn=978-84-7030-852-9 |page=176 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=29 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529095118/https://books.google.com/books?id=0vrzEdzdOMUC&pg=PA176 |url-status=live}}</ref> King James I of Aragon, with an army composed of [[Aragonese people|Aragonese]], [[Catalans]], Navarrese, and crusaders from the [[Order of Calatrava]], laid siege to Valencia and on 28 September [[Conquest of Valencia (1238)|obtained a surrender]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} Fifty thousand Moors were forced to leave.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} The Jews of Valencia were afforded a quarter for residence in 1239, which was surrounded by a high wall in 1390. The quarter had three gates, all of which were closed at night; the Jewish cemetery was permitted just beyond 'the Jew's Gate', the ''Portal dels Jueues''.<ref>[https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14628-valencia ''Jewish Encyclopedia''.]</ref>

Valencia endured serious troubles in the mid-14th century, including the decimation of the population by the [[Black Death|Black Death of 1348]] and subsequent years of epidemics—as well as the series of wars and riots that followed.

In 1391, a pogrom struck the Jewish quarter of Valencia, part of a wave of [[Massacre of 1391|anti-Jewish attacks]] that began earlier that year in Seville and spread across [[Kingdom of Castile|Castile]] and into the Crown of Aragon. The assault in Valencia was sparked when a procession of youths marched on the Jewish quarter, shouting that "the [[Archdeacon]] of Castile is coming with his cross, and that all the Jews should be baptized or die."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Meyerson |first=Mark |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-history-of-judaism/3407B39B6C4F921F2FA8C265032A415B |title=The Cambridge History of Judaism: Volume 6: The Middle Ages: The Christian World |date=2018 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-51724-9 |editor-last=Chazan |editor-first=Robert |volume=6 |location=Cambridge |pages=160–161 |chapter=The Iberian Peninsula under Christian rule |doi=10.1017/9781139048880}}</ref> Despite efforts by royal guards to intervene, thousands of Jews were murdered, and the survivors were forced to convert. The Jewish quarter was destroyed.<ref name=Angel/>

By the late 14th century, [[Republic of Genoa|Genoese]] traders promoted the expansion of the cultivation of [[Morus alba|white mulberry]] in the area and later introduced innovative [[silk]] manufacturing techniques. Valencia became a centre of mulberry production and was, for a time, a major silk-producing centre.<ref name=silk>{{Cite web |url=https://www.uv.es/vlc-ruta-seda/es/blog-ruta-seda/blog-ruta-seda-1285971056578/GasetaRecerca.html?id=1285971184937 |publisher=[[University of Valencia|Universitat de València]] |title=La influencia de la seda en la historia y la cultura valenciana |date=7 June 2016 |first=Ricardo |last=Franch Benavent |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410155213/https://www.uv.es/vlc-ruta-seda/es/blog-ruta-seda/blog-ruta-seda-1285971056578/GasetaRecerca.html?id=1285971184937 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Genoese community in Valencia—merchants, artisans and workers—became, along with Seville's, one of the most important in the Iberian Peninsula.{{sfn|Navarro Espinach|1994|pp=223–224}}

In 1407, following the model of the Barcelona institution created some years before, a ''[[Taula de canvi]]'' (a municipal public bank) was created in Valencia, although its first iteration yielded limited success.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://revistas.um.es/medievalismo/article/view/407021/274671 |pages=318–319 |publisher=[[University of Murcia|Editum]] |location=Murcia |issue=29 |year=2019 |journal=Medievalismo |title=La estructura del primer banco público de Europa: la Taula de Canvi de Barcelona (siglo XV) |first=Laura |last=Miquel Milian |issn=1131-8155 |doi=10.6018/medievalismo.407021 |s2cid=213263696 |doi-access=free |access-date=4 June 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307042248/https://revistas.um.es/medievalismo/article/view/407021/274671 |url-status=live |hdl=10201/93080 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

The 15th century was a time of economic expansion, known as the Valencian Golden Age, during which culture and the arts flourished. Concurrent population growth made Valencia the most populous city in the Crown of Aragon.{{cn|date=February 2025}} Some of the city's landmark buildings were built during the Late Middle Ages, including the [[Torres de Serranos|Serranos Towers]], the [[Lonja de la Seda|Silk Exchange]], the [[Miguelete Tower]], and the Chapel of the Kings of the Convent of Sant Domènec. In painting and sculpture, [[Flemish people|Flemish]] and Italian trends had an influence on Valencian artists.

Valencia became a major [[History of slavery|slave trade]] centre in the 15th century, second only to [[Lisbon]] in the West,{{Sfn|González Arévalo|2019|p=17}} prompting a Lisbon–[[Seville]]–Valencia axis by the second half of the century powered by the incipient Portuguese slave trade originating in [[West Africa]].{{Sfn|González Arévalo|2019|p=19}} By the end of the 15th century Valencia was one of the largest European cities, being the most populated city in the Hispanic Monarchy and second to Lisbon in the Iberian Peninsula.{{Sfn|Santamaría|1992|p=373}}

Valencia also became one of the major ports of embarkation for Jews who left after the [[Expulsion of Jews from Spain|expulsion from Spain]] in 1492, [[Isaac ben Yehudah Abrabanel]] and his family among them, by special permission granted to him by King Ferdinand.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

=== Modern history ===
Following the death of [[Ferdinand II of Aragon|Ferdinand II]] in 1516, the nobiliary estate challenged the Crown amid the relative void of power.{{Sfn|Pérez García|2019}} In 1519, the ''Taula de Canvis'' was recreated again, known as ''Nova Taula''.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://revistas.um.es/rcsar/article/view/385751/266291 |publisher=[[University of Murcia|Editum]] |location=Murcia |journal=Revista de Contabilidad |volume=3 |issue=6 |year=2000 |issn=1138-4891 |title=Los contables de la ''Taula de Canvis'' de Valencia (1519-1649). Su formación teórica y práctica |first=Francisco |last=Mayordomo García-Chicote |access-date=4 June 2022 |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604171031/https://revistas.um.es/rcsar/article/view/385751/266291 |url-status=live }}</ref> The nobles earned the rejection from the people of Valencia, and the whole kingdom was plunged into the [[Revolt of the Brotherhoods]] and full-blown civil war between 1521 and 1522.{{Sfn|Pérez García|2019}} Muslim vassals were forced to convert in 1526 at the behest of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]].{{Sfn|Pérez García|2019}}

Urban and rural delinquency—linked to phenomena such as [[vagrancy]], [[gambling]], [[larceny]], [[Procuring (prostitution)|pimping]] and false begging—as well as the nobiliary banditry consisting of the revenges and rivalries between the aristocratic families flourished in Valencia during the 16th century.{{Sfn|García Martínez|1972|pp=85–86}} Furthermore, [[Barbary pirates|North African piracy]] targeted the whole coastline of the [[kingdom of Valencia]], forcing the fortification of sites.{{Sfn|García Martínez|1972|p=88}} By the late 1520s, the intensification of Barbary [[Corsairs of Algiers|corsair]] activity along with domestic conflicts and the emergence of the Atlantic Ocean in detriment of the Mediterranean in global trade networks put an end to the economic splendor of the city.{{Sfn|Franch Benavent|2008|p=84}} This piracy also paved the way for the ensuing development of Christian piracy, that had Valencia as one of its main bases in the Iberian Mediterranean.{{Sfn|García Martínez|1972|p=88}} The Berber threat—initially with [[Ottoman empire|Ottoman]] support—generated great insecurity on the coast, and it would not be substantially reduced until the 1580s.{{Sfn|García Martínez|1972|p=88}}

[[File:València el 1563, per Anton van den Wyngaerde.jpg|thumb|center|upright=1.8|View of Valencia by [[Anton van den Wyngaerde]] (1563)]]
[[File:Embarco moriscos en el Grao de valencia.jpg|thumb|Expulsion of the Moriscos from Valencia Grau by Pere Oromig (1616)]]
The crisis deepened during the 17th century with the 1609 expulsion of the [[Morisco]]s, descendants of the Muslim population that had converted to Christianity. The Spanish government systematically forced Moriscos to leave the kingdom for Muslim North Africa. They were concentrated in the former [[Crown of Aragon]], and in the [[Kingdom of Valencia]] specifically, and constituted roughly a third of the total population.<ref>{{cite book |last=Meyerson |first=Mark D. |title=The Muslims of Valencia in the Age of Fernando and Isabel: between Coexistence and Crusade |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley, California |date=1991 |isbn=978-0-520-06888-9 |page=14}}</ref> The expulsion caused the financial ruin of some of the Valencian nobility and the bankruptcy of the ''Taula de canvi'' in 1613.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The decline of the city reached its nadir with the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] (1702–1709), marking the end of the political and legal independence of the [[Kingdom of Valencia]]. During the [[War of the Spanish Succession]], Valencia sided with the [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]] ruler of the [[Holy Roman Empire]], [[Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles of Austria]]. King Charles vowed to protect the laws (''[[Furs of Valencia|Furs]]'') of the [[Kingdom of Valencia]], which gained him the sympathy of a wide sector of the Valencian population. On 24 January 1706, after having ridden south from Barcelona, [[Charles Mordaunt, 3rd Earl of Peterborough]], led a handful of English cavalrymen into the city and captured the nearby fortress at [[Sagunto|Sagunt]], bluffing the Spanish Bourbon army into withdrawal.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The English held the city for 16 months, defeating several attempts to expel them. After the victory of the Bourbons at the [[Battle of Almansa]] on 25 April 1707, the English army evacuated Valencia and [[Philip V of Spain|Philip V]] ordered the repeal of the Furs of Valencia as punishment for the kingdom's support of Charles of Austria.<ref>{{cite book |last=Norwich |first=John Jules |title=The Middle Sea. A History of the Mediterranean |year=2007 |publisher=Chatto & Windus |location=London |isbn=978-0-7011-7608-2}}</ref> By the [[Nueva Planta decrees]], the ancient [[Furs of Valencia|Charters of Valencia]] were abolished and the city was governed by the Castilian Charter, similarly to other places in the Crown of Aragon.

The Valencian economy recovered during the 18th century with the rising manufacture of woven silk and ceramic tiles. The silk industry boomed during this century, with Valencia replacing [[Toledo, Spain|Toledo]] as the centre of silk-manufacturing in Spain.<ref name=silk /> The Palau de Justícia is an example of the affluence manifested in the most prosperous times of Bourbon rule (1758–1802) during the rule of Charles III. The 18th century was the [[Age of Enlightenment]] in Europe and, in Valencia, its humanistic ideals influenced men such as [[Gregorio Mayans]] and [[Francisco Pérez Bayer]], who maintained correspondence with the leading French and German thinkers of the time.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

====Peninsular War====
{{main|Peninsular War}}
The 19th century began with Spain embroiled in wars with France, Portugal, and England—but the Peninsular War (also known as the Spanish War of Independence) affected the Valencian territories and the capital city. The repercussions of the French Revolution were still being felt when Napoleon's armies invaded the Iberian Peninsula. The Valencian people rose up in arms against them on 23 May 1808, inspired by leaders such as Vicent Doménech el Palleter.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

The mutineers seized the Citadel, the [[Supreme Junta]] government took over, and on 26–28 June, Napoleon's Marshal [[Bon-Adrien Jeannot de Moncey|Moncey]] attacked the city with a column of 9,000 French [[Grande Armée]] troops at the first [[Battle of Valencia (1808)|Battle of Valencia]]. He failed to take the city in two assaults and retreated to Madrid. Marshal [[Louis-Gabriel Suchet|Suchet]] began a long siege of the city in October 1811, and after intense bombardment forced it to surrender on 8 January 1812. After the capitulation, the French instituted reforms in Valencia, which became the capital of Spain when the [[Bonapartism|Bonapartist]] king, [[Joseph Bonaparte|José I]] (Napoleon's elder brother), moved the Court there in the middle of 1812. The disaster of the [[Battle of Vitoria]] on 21 June 1813 obliged Suchet to quit Valencia, and the French troops withdrew in July.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

====Post-war====
[[File:València el 1832, per A. Guesdon.jpg|thumb|right|Valencia in 1832 by French lithographer [[Guesdon|Alfred Guesdon]]]]
[[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Ferdinand VII]] returned to the throne at end of the Peninsular War, which freed Spain from Napoleonic domination. On his return, on 24 March 1814 from exile in France, the Cortes requested that he respect the liberal Constitution of 1812, which significantly limited royal powers. Ferdinand refused and went to Valencia instead of Madrid. Here, on 17 April, [[Francisco Javier de Elío|General Elio]] invited the King to reclaim his absolute rights and put his troops at the King's disposition. The king abolished the [[Spanish Constitution of 1812|Constitution of 1812]] and dissolved the two chambers of the Spanish Parliament on 10 May. Thus began six years (1814–1820) of absolutist rule, but the constitution was reinstated during the [[Trienio Liberal]], a period of three years of liberal government in Spain from 1820 to 1823.

On King Ferdinand VII's death in 1833, [[Baldomero Espartero]] became one of the most ardent defenders of the hereditary rights of the king's daughter, the future [[Isabella II of Spain|Isabella II]]. During the regency of [[Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies|Maria Cristina]], Espartero ruled Spain for two years as its 18th prime minister from 16 September 1840 to 21 May 1841. City life in Valencia carried on in a revolutionary climate, with frequent clashes between liberals and republicans.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

[[File:Inauguración de los trabajos del derribo de las murallas en Valencia.jpg|thumb|The start of demolition work on the walls of the city in 1865]]
The reign of Isabella II as an adult (1843–1868) was a period of relative stability and growth for Valencia. During the second half of the 19th century the bourgeoisie encouraged the development of the city and its environs; landowners were enriched by the introduction of the orange crop and the expansion of vineyards and other crops. This economic boom corresponded with a revival of local traditions and of the [[Valencian language|Valencian]] language, which had been ruthlessly suppressed from the time of Philip V.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

Work to demolish the walls of the old city started on 20 February 1865.<ref name=murallas>{{Cite web |date=8 December 2006 |first=Daniel |last=Sala |title=La demolición de las murallas de la ciudad |url=https://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/prensa/20061208/ocio/demolicion-murallas-ciudad_20061208.html |website=[[Las Provincias]] |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=22 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091222142613/http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/prensa/20061208/ocio/demolicion-murallas-ciudad_20061208.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The demolition of the citadel ended after the [[Glorious Revolution (Spain)|1868 Glorious Revolution]].<ref name=murallas />

During the [[Cantonal rebellion]] in 1873, Valencia was the capital of the short-lived [[Valencian Canton]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Casals Bergés |first=Quintí |date=2022 |title=El Cantonalismo (1873): Notas para un estudio comparado |url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=8726311 |journal=Aportes: Revista de historia contemporánea |volume=37 |issue=110 |pages=59–101 |issn=0213-5868 |access-date=8 October 2023 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012113805/https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=8726311 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the introduction of [[universal manhood suffrage]] in the late 19th century, the political landscape in Valencia—until then consisting of the bipartisanship characteristic of the early [[Restoration (Spain)|Restoration period]]—experienced a change, leading to a growth of [[Republicanism in Spain|republican forces]], gathered around the emerging figure of [[Vicente Blasco Ibáñez]].{{Sfn|Aguiló Lúcia|1992|pp=61–62}} Not unlike the equally republican [[Lerrouxism]], the Populist {{ill|Blasquism|es|Blasquismo|lt=}} came to mobilize the Valencian masses by promoting [[Anti-clericalism|anticlericalism]].{{Sfn|Suárez Cortina|2011|p=28}} Meanwhile, in reaction, the right-wing coalesced around several initiatives such as the Catholic League or the reformulation of Valencian [[Carlism]], and [[Valencianism]] did similarly with organizations such as Valencia Nova or the Unió Valencianista.{{Sfn|Aguiló Lúcia|1992|p=62}}

===20th century===
[[File:Baldomer Gili Roig. El Palmar (La Albufera de València), c. 1915 (2).jpg|thumb|right|Women working at the Albufera ({{circa|1915}})]]
[[File:Bombardeo sobre la estación del Norte en Valencia.jpg|thumb|right|Bombing of the city by the Italian ''[[Aviazione Legionaria]]'' (1937) during the Spanish Civil War]]
In the early 20th century, Valencia was an industrialised city. Although the silk industry had disappeared, there was a large production of hides and skins, wood, metals, and foodstuffs, the latter with substantial exports, particularly of wine and citrus. Small businesses predominated, but with the rapid mechanisation of the industry, larger companies were being formed. The best expression of this dynamic was in regional exhibitions, including that of 1909 held next to the ''L'Albereda'' (''Paseo de la Alameda''), which depicted the progress of agriculture and industry. Among the most architecturally successful buildings of the era were those designed in the [[Art Nouveau]] style, such as the [[Estació del Nord (Valencia)|Estació del Nord]] and the Central and Columbus markets.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

[[World War I]] (1914–1918) greatly affected the Valencian economy, causing the collapse of its citrus exports. The [[Second Spanish Republic]] (1931–1939) opened the way for democratic participation and the increased politicisation of citizens, especially in response to the rise of Conservative Front power in 1933. The inevitable march toward civil war and combat in Madrid resulted in the relocation of the capital of the Republic to Valencia.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

After the continuous unsuccessful [[Francoist Spain|Francoist]] offensive on besieged Madrid during the [[Spanish Civil War]], Valencia temporarily became the capital of Republican Spain on 6 November 1936. It hosted the government until 31 October 1937.<ref>{{citation |url=https://elpais.com/ccaa/2015/11/16/valencia/1447694968_672284.html |title=Valencia, capital de la Segunda República española |work=[[El País]] |author=Cristina Vázquez |date=16 November 2015 |access-date=17 April 2018 |archive-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418032348/https://elpais.com/ccaa/2015/11/16/valencia/1447694968_672284.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Francoist Spain ====
During the [[Spanish Civil War]], Valencia was heavily bombarded by air and sea, mainly by the [[Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|Fascist Italian]] air force, as well as the Francoist air force with [[Nazi Germany|Nazi German]] support. By the end of the war, the city had survived 442 bombardments, leaving 2,831 dead and 847 wounded, although it is estimated that the death toll was higher. The Republican government moved to Barcelona on 31 October of that year. On 30 March 1939, Valencia surrendered and Nationalist Spanish troops entered the city.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The postwar years were a time of hardship for Valencians. During Franco's regime, speaking or teaching [[Valencian language|Valencian]] was prohibited; in a significant reversal, it is now compulsory for every schoolchild in Valencia. Franco's dictatorship forbade political parties and began a harsh ideological and cultural repression countenanced and sometimes led by the Catholic Church. During Franco's regime some leading Valencian intellectuals, such as [[Juan Peset]], [[Rector (academia)|rector]] of [[University of Valencia]], were executed and many of them, including [[Josep Renau]] and [[Max Aub]], went into exile.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

[[File:Historia30-valencia - Valencia anegada por la riada de 1957.jpg|thumb|right|1957 flood]]
[[File:Barraques de Beniparrell abans de la Gran Riuada de València (País Valencià, 1957).jpg|thumb|Valencian houses following the Valencia flood of 1957]]
In 1943, Franco decreed the exclusivity of Valencia and Barcelona for the celebration of international [[fair]]s in Spain.<ref name=ventoso>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abc.es/espana/20140210/abci-como-cataluna-volvio-rica-201402100444.html |website=[[ABC (Spain)|ABC]] |title=De cómo Cataluña se volvió rica y Galicia, pobre |date=11 February 2014 |first=Luis |last=Ventoso |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=28 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828171157/https://www.abc.es/espana/20140210/abci-como-cataluna-volvio-rica-201402100444.html |url-status=live}}</ref> These two cities would hold the monopoly on international fairs for more than three decades, until the rule's abolishment in 1979 by the government of [[Adolfo Suárez]].<ref name=ventoso /> In October 1957, [[1957 Valencia flood|a flood]] from the Turia river resulted in 81 casualties and extensive property damage.<ref name=levante>{{Cite web |url=https://www.levante-emv.com/valencia/2017/10/04/riada-57-valencia-aniversario-60-anos/1623886.html |first=Sara |last=Cañada Guillen |website=[[Levante-EMV]] |date=4 October 2017 |title=Riada de 1957 en València: Se cumplen 60 años |access-date=15 June 2020 |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615211323/https://www.levante-emv.com/valencia/2017/10/04/riada-57-valencia-aniversario-60-anos/1623886.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The disaster led to the remodelling of the city and the creation of a new river bed for the Turia, with the old one becoming one of the city's "green lungs".<ref name=levante /> The economy began to recover in the early 1960s, and the city experienced explosive population growth through immigration spurred by jobs created with the implementation of major urban projects and infrastructure improvements.

==== Post-Franco ====
With the [[Spanish transition to democracy|advent of democracy]] in Spain, the ancient kingdom of Valencia was established as a new autonomous entity, the [[Valencian Community]], the Statute of Autonomy of 1982 designating Valencia as its capital. Valencia has since then experienced a surge in its cultural development, exemplified by exhibitions and performances at such iconic institutions as the ''Palau de la Música'', the ''Palacio de Congresos'', the Metro, the [[City of Arts and Sciences]] ''(Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències)'', the Valencian Museum of Enlightenment and Modernity ''(Museo Valenciano de la Ilustración y la Modernidad)'', and the Institute of Modern Art ''(Institut Valencià d'Art Modern)''. The various productions of [[Santiago Calatrava]], a renowned structural engineer, architect, and sculptor and of the architect [[Félix Candela]] have contributed to Valencia's international reputation. In 1983 the statue of Francisco Franco in ''Plaza del [[Caudillo]]'' was torn down and the plaza renamed ''[[Plaza del Ayuntamiento]]''. Some time after, the bronze statue ''La Paz y la Concordancia'' by José Puche was erected in ''[[Plaza de la Reina]]'' and dedicated to victims of terrorism. These public works and the ongoing rehabilitation of the "Old City" ''(Ciutat Vella)'' have helped improve the city's livability, and tourism is continually increasing.

===21st century===
[[File:Valencia - panoramio (7).jpg|thumb|right|Modern developments in the Penya-Roja neighborhood]]

On 3 July 2006, a major mass transit disaster, the [[Valencia Metro derailment]], left 43 dead and 47 wounded.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lasexta.com/programas/salvados/noticias/accidente-metro-valencia-historia-tragedia-silenciada_2013042957278f764beb28d44602f8b7.html |date=29 April 2013 |title=43 muertos, 47 heridos y 0 responsables: el accidente de metro de Valencia es la historia de una tragedia silenciada |website=[[LaSexta]] |access-date=15 June 2020 |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615213018/https://www.lasexta.com/programas/salvados/noticias/accidente-metro-valencia-historia-tragedia-silenciada_2013042957278f764beb28d44602f8b7.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Days later, on 9 July, the World Day of Families, during Mass at Valencia's Cathedral, Our Lady of the Forsaken Basilica, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] used the ''Sant Calze'', a 1st-century Middle-Eastern artifact that some Catholics believe is the [[Holy Grail]].{{efn|It was supposedly brought to that church by [[Valerian (emperor)|Emperor Valerian]] in the 3rd century, after having been brought by [[Saint Peter|St. Peter]] to Rome from Jerusalem. The ''Sant Calze'' (Holy Chalice) is a simple, small stone cup. Its base was added during the medieval period and consists of fine gold, alabaster and gem stones.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0603899.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20060711190739/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0603899.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 July 2006 |title=About the Santo Caliz (Holy Chalice) |publisher=Catholicnews.com |access-date=9 March 2011}}</ref>}}

Valencia was selected in 2003 to host the historic [[America's Cup]] yacht race, the first European city ever to do so. The [[2007 America's Cup|2007 America's Cup matches]] took place from April to July. On 3 July 2007, [[Alinghi]] defeated [[Team New Zealand]] to retain the America's Cup. Twenty-two days later, on 25 July 2007, the leaders of the Alinghi syndicate, holder of the America's Cup, officially announced that Valencia would be the host city for the 33rd America's Cup, held in June 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.americascup.com/en/33rd/news_5.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123033408/http://www.americascup.com/en/33rd/news_5.php |url-status=dead |title=Announcement of the election as host city for 33rd America's Cup |archive-date=23 January 2010}}</ref>

The results of the [[Valencia City Council elections|Valencia municipal elections]] from 1991 to 2011 delivered a 24-year uninterrupted rule (1991–2015) by the [[People's Party (Spain)|People's Party]] (PP) and Mayor [[Rita Barberá]], with support from the [[Valencian Union]]. Barberá's rule was ousted by left-leaning forces after the [[2015 Valencia City Council election|2015 municipal election]], with [[Joan Ribó]] of [[Coalició Compromís|Compromís]] becoming the new mayor.

==Geography==
[[File:Valencia, Spain.jpg|thumb|right|Valencia and surroundings as seen by the [[European Space Agency|ESA]]'s [[Sentinel-2]] satellite]]

Located on the eastern coast of the [[Iberian Peninsula]] and the western part of the [[Mediterranean Sea]], fronting the [[Gulf of Valencia]], Valencia lies on the highly fertile alluvial silts accumulated on the floodplain formed in the lower course of the [[Turia (river)|Turia River]].{{Sfn|Puncel Chornet|1999}} At its founding by the Romans in 138 BC, it stood on an alluvial plain of the Turia River several kilometers from the sea.<ref name="Monrabal2011">{{cite book |last1=Monrabal |first1=Josep Sorribes |title=Valencia, 1957-2007: De la riada a la Copa del América |year=2011 |publisher=Universitat de València |isbn=978-84-370-8260-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sRdbTyaOIgYC&pg=PA61 |language=es |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115224703/https://books.google.com/books?id=sRdbTyaOIgYC&pg=PA61 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Albufera]] lagoon, located about {{cvt|12|km|mi|0}} south of the city proper (and part of the municipality), was originally a saltwater lagoon, but since the severing of links to the sea, it has eventually become a freshwater lagoon, progressively decreasing in size.{{Sfn|Clemente Meoro|2008|p=1}} The lagoon and its environment are used for the cultivation of [[rice]] in [[paddy field]]s, and for hunting and fishing purposes.{{Sfn|Clemente Meoro|2008|p=1}}

The Valencia City Council bought the lake from the [[Monarchy of Spain|Crown of Spain]] for 1,072,980 [[Spanish peseta|pesetas]] in 1911,<ref name="Gonzálbez1960">{{cite book |author=Momblanch y Gonzálbez, Francisco de P. |title=Historia de la Albufera de Valencia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6QUrAQAAMAAJ |access-date=5 February 2013 |year=1960 |publisher=Excmo. Anuntamiento |page=301 |isbn=9788484840701 |archive-date=1 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101125315/http://books.google.com/books?id=6QUrAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> and today it forms the main portion of the ''[[Parc Natural de l'Albufera]]'' (Albufera Nature Reserve), with a surface area of {{convert|21,120|ha|acre}}. Because of its cultural, historical, and ecological value, it was declared a natural park in 1976.

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of Valencia}}
Valencia and its metropolitan area has a [[subtropics|subtropical]]<ref>[http://www.ph-heidelberg.de/geographie/forschung-und-entwicklung/klimakarte-der-erde.html ''Die Klimatypen der Erde''] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114174500/https://www.ph-heidelberg.de/geographie/forschung-und-entwicklung/klimakarte-der-erde.html |date=14 November 2021 }} - Pädagogische Hochschule in [[Heidelberg]]</ref> [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''BSh'') bordering on a [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Csa'')<ref>{{Cite web |title=AEMET IBERIAN CLIMATE ATLAS |url=http://www.aemet.es/documentos/es/conocermas/publicaciones/Atlas-climatologico/Atlas.pdf |website=www.aemet.es |publisher=[[Agencia Estatal de Meteorología]] |access-date=2024-04-07 |archive-date=22 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422054507/http://www.aemet.es/documentos/es/conocermas/publicaciones/Atlas-climatologico/Atlas.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Evolucion de los climas de Koppen en España: 1951-2020 |url=https://www.aemet.es/documentos/es/conocermas/recursos_en_linea/publicaciones_y_estudios/publicaciones/NT_37_AEMET/NT_37_AEMET.pdf |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=[[Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia]] |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213184548/https://www.aemet.es/documentos/es/conocermas/recursos_en_linea/publicaciones_y_estudios/publicaciones/NT_37_AEMET/NT_37_AEMET.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> with mild winters and hot, dry summers.<ref name=KGcc>{{Cite journal |first1=M. |last1=Kottek |first2=J. |last2=Grieser |first3=C. |last3=Beck |first4=B. |last4=Rudolf |first5=F. |last5=Rubel |title=World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated |journal=[[Meteorol. Z.]] |volume=15 |pages=259–263 |url=http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/pics/kottek_et_al_2006.gif |doi=10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130 |access-date=22 April 2009 |date=10 July 2006 |issue=3 |bibcode=2006MetZe..15..259K |archive-date=9 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009232020/http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/pics/kottek_et_al_2006.gif |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mapa topográfico de España del Instituto Geográfico Nacional |url=http://www.ign.es/iberpix2/visor/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 September 2021 |archive-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719134808/http://www.ign.es/iberpix2/visor/}}</ref> 

The average annual temperature of Valencia is {{cvt|18.6|°C|°F}}; {{cvt|23|°C|°F}} during the day and {{cvt|14.2|°C|°F}} at night. In the coldest month, January, the maximum daily temperature typically ranges from {{cvt|15|to|20|C|F}}, the minimum temperature typically at night ranges from {{cvt|6|to|10|C|F}}. December, January and February are the coldest months, with average temperatures around {{cvt|17|C|F}} during the day and {{cvt|8|C|F}} at night. March is transitional, the temperature often exceeds {{cvt|20|°C|0}}, with an average temperature of {{cvt|19.3|°C}} during the day and {{cvt|10|°C}} at night. During the warmest months – July and August, the maximum temperature during the day typically ranges from {{cvt|28|to|32|C|F}}, about {{cvt|21|to|24|°C|°F}} at night.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aemet.es/es/datos_abiertos/AEMET_OpenData | title=AEMET OpenData |publisher=[[Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia]] |access-date=2025-06-30 }}</ref> The highest and lowest temperatures recorded in the city since 1937 were {{convert|44.5|C}} on 10 August 2023 and {{convert|-7.2|C}} on 11 February 1956, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=València: València - Valores extremos absolutos - Selector - Agencia Estatal de Meteorología - AEMET. Gobierno de España |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/efemerides_extremos*?w=0&k=val&l=8416&datos=det&x=8416&m=13&v=todos |publisher=[[AEMET]] |access-date=2 December 2021 |language=es |archive-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202155913/http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/efemerides_extremos*?w=0&k=val&l=8416&datos=det&x=8416&m=13&v=todos |url-status=live}}</ref> Valencia has one of the mildest winters in Europe, owing to its southern location on the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and the [[Foehn wind|Foehn]] phenomenon, locally known as ''ponentà''.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 February 2020 |title=L'efecte Foehn, fogony o "ponentà" |url=https://vilmeteo.es/el-efecte-foehn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202194335/https://vilmeteo.es/el-efecte-foehn/ |archive-date=2 December 2021 |access-date=2 December 2021 |publisher=VilMeteo (Meteo Villarreal) |language=ca-valencia}}</ref>

The maximum of precipitation occurs in [[autumn]], coinciding with the time of the year when [[cold drop]] (''gota fría'') episodes of heavy rainfall—associated to [[Block (meteorology)#Cut-off highs and lows|cut-off low pressure systems at high altitude]]—<ref>{{Cite web |title=La gota fría: dónde, cuándo y cómo se produce |url=https://www.nuevatribuna.es/articulo/actualidad/gota-fria-donde-cuando-como-produce/20190913162654166097.html |website=Nueva Tribuna |date=13 September 2019 |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721141618/https://www.nuevatribuna.es/articulo/actualidad/gota-fria-donde-cuando-como-produce/20190913162654166097.html |url-status=live}}</ref> are common along the Western mediterranean coast.<ref name=climate>{{Cite web |title=El clima de Valencia |url=http://eltiempo.lasprovincias.es/las-cosas-del-clima/clima-valencia |publisher=[[Las Provincias]] |first=Antonio |last=Rivera |date=20 January 2012 |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721125917/http://eltiempo.lasprovincias.es/las-cosas-del-clima/clima-valencia |url-status=live}}</ref> The year-on-year variability in precipitation may be, however, considerable,<ref name=climate /> as exemplified by large floods in [[1957 Valencia flood|1957]] and [[October 2024 Spain floods|2024]], which both occurred in the month of October. Snowfall almost does not occur at all; the most recent occasion snow accumulated on the ground was on 11 January 1960.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 January 2020 |title=Se cumplen 60 años de la última nevada en València |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/local/valencia/20200111/472821620039/valencia-nevada-1960-nieve-ciudad.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112125943/https://www.lavanguardia.com/local/valencia/20200111/472821620039/valencia-nevada-1960-nieve-ciudad.html |archive-date=12 January 2020 |access-date=24 January 2020 |website=[[La Vanguardia]]}}</ref>

Valencia, on average, has around 2,733 sunshine hours per year, from 158 in December (average of 5 hours of sunshine duration a day) to 313 in July (average around 10 hours of sunshine duration a day). The average temperature of the sea is {{cvt|14|-|15|°C}} in winter and {{cvt|25|-|26|°C}} in summer.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://seatemperature.net/current/spain/valencia-valencia-spain-sea-temperature |title=Sea temperature in Valencia |access-date=18 June 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620144811/https://seatemperature.net/current/spain/valencia-valencia-spain-sea-temperature |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://eltiempo.lasprovincias.es/meteorologia/temperatura-del-agua-del-mar |title=Temperatura del agua del mar |newspaper=[[Las Provincias]] |date=18 July 2010 |access-date=24 October 2015 |language=es |first=Antonio |last=Rivera |publisher=[[Vocento]] |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122241/http://eltiempo.lasprovincias.es/meteorologia/temperatura-del-agua-del-mar |url-status=live}}</ref> Average annual [[relative humidity]] is around 66%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=8416&k=val |work=[[Agencia Estatal de Meteorología]] |title=Valores climatológicos normales. València |access-date=4 April 2019 |language=es |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404171628/http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=8416&k=val |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location= Valencia (normals 1991-2020), altitude: 11 [[Metres above sea level|m.a.s.l.]]
|metric first= yes
|single line= yes
| Jan high C  =16.8
| Feb high C  =17.4
| Mar high C  =19.4
| Apr high C  =21.2
| May high C  =24.0
| Jun high C  =27.5
| Jul high C  =29.9
| Aug high C  =30.6
| Sep high C  =28.0
| Oct high C  =24.6
| Nov high C  =20.2
| Dec high C  =17.4
| year high C =
| Jan mean C  =12.1
| Feb mean C  =12.7
| Mar mean C  =14.7
| Apr mean C  =16.6
| May mean C  =19.6
| Jun mean C  =23.3
| Jul mean C  =25.9
| Aug mean C  =26.5
| Sep mean C  =23.7
| Oct mean C  =20.1
| Nov mean C  =15.6
| Dec mean C  =12.8
| year mean C =
| Jan low C  =7.5
| Feb low C  =8.0
| Mar low C  =9.9
| Apr low C  =11.9
| May low C  =15.1
| Jun low C  =19.0
| Jul low C  =21.9
| Aug low C  =22.5
| Sep low C  =19.3
| Oct low C  =15.6
| Nov low C  =11.0
| Dec low C  =8.3
| year low C =
| precipitation colour  =  green
| Jan precipitation mm  =39
| Feb precipitation mm  =30
| Mar precipitation mm  =40
| Apr precipitation mm  =33
| May precipitation mm  =36
| Jun precipitation mm  =26
| Jul precipitation mm  =7
| Aug precipitation mm  =15
| Sep precipitation mm  =70
| Oct precipitation mm  =63
| Nov precipitation mm  =52
| Dec precipitation mm  =48
| year precipitation mm =
| unit precipitation days = 1mm
| Jan precipitation days  =3.9
| Feb precipitation days  =3.5
| Mar precipitation days  =4.1
| Apr precipitation days  =4.5
| May precipitation days  =4.2
| Jun precipitation days  =2.2
| Jul precipitation days  =1.2
| Aug precipitation days  =2.3
| Sep precipitation days  =5.2
| Oct precipitation days  =4.7
| Nov precipitation days  =4.3
| Dec precipitation days  =4.3
| year precipitation days =
| Jan humidity = 65
| Feb humidity = 64
| Mar humidity = 64
| Apr humidity = 62
| May humidity = 66
| Jun humidity = 66
| Jul humidity = 68
| Aug humidity = 68
| Sep humidity = 67
| Oct humidity = 68
| Nov humidity = 66
| Dec humidity = 66
| year humidity = 
| Jan sun  =174
| Feb sun  =181
| Mar sun  =217
| Apr sun  =237
| May sun  =267
| Jun sun  =282
| Jul sun  =313
| Aug sun  =288
| Sep sun  =237
| Oct sun  =208
| Nov sun  =171
| Dec sun  =158
| year sun =
|source = [[Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia]] (AEMET OpenData)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aemet.es/es/datos_abiertos/AEMET_OpenData | title=AEMET OpenData |publisher=[[Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia]] |access-date=2024-05-12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=València: València - Valores extremos absolutos - Selector - Agencia Estatal de Meteorología - AEMET. Gobierno de España |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/efemerides_extremos*?w=0&k=val&l=8416&datos=det&x=8416&m=13&v=todos |publisher=[[AEMET]] |access-date=2 December 2021 |language=es |archive-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202155913/http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/efemerides_extremos*?w=0&k=val&l=8416&datos=det&x=8416&m=13&v=todos |url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Weather box|
| location = Valencia ({{cvt|4|km|0|disp=sqbr}} from sea, altitude: 11 [[Metres above sea level|m.a.s.l.]], averages 1981–2010)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| collapsed = yes
| Jan high C = 16.4
| Feb high C = 17.1
| Mar high C = 19.3
| Apr high C = 20.8
| May high C = 23.4
| Jun high C = 27.1
| Jul high C = 29.7
| Aug high C = 30.2
| Sep high C = 27.9
| Oct high C = 24.3
| Nov high C = 19.8
| Dec high C = 17.0
| year high C = 22.8
| Jan mean C = 11.9
| Feb mean C = 12.7
| Mar mean C = 14.6
| Apr mean C = 16.2
| May mean C = 19.0
| Jun mean C = 22.9
| Jul mean C = 25.6
| Aug mean C = 26.1
| Sep mean C = 23.5
| Oct mean C = 19.7
| Nov mean C = 15.3
| Dec mean C = 12.6
| year mean C = 18.3
| Jan low C = 7.1
| Feb low C = 7.8
| Mar low C = 9.7
| Apr low C = 11.5
| May low C = 14.6
| Jun low C = 18.6
| Jul low C = 21.5
| Aug low C = 21.9
| Sep low C = 19.1
| Oct low C = 15.2
| Nov low C = 10.8
| Dec low C = 8.1
| year low C = 13.8
| Jan precipitation mm = 37
| Feb precipitation mm = 36
| Mar precipitation mm = 33
| Apr precipitation mm = 38
| May precipitation mm = 39
| Jun precipitation mm = 22
| Jul precipitation mm = 8
| Aug precipitation mm = 20
| Sep precipitation mm = 70
| Oct precipitation mm = 77
| Nov precipitation mm = 47
| Dec precipitation mm = 48
| year precipitation mm = 475
| Jan precipitation days = 4.4
| Feb precipitation days = 3.9
| Mar precipitation days = 3.6
| Apr precipitation days = 4.8
| May precipitation days = 4.3
| Jun precipitation days = 2.6
| Jul precipitation days = 1.1
| Aug precipitation days = 2.4
| Sep precipitation days = 5.0
| Oct precipitation days = 5.0
| Nov precipitation days = 4.3
| Dec precipitation days = 4.8
| year precipitation days = 46.3
| unit precipitation days = 1&nbsp;mm
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan humidity    =64
| Feb humidity    =64
| Mar humidity    =63
| Apr humidity    =62
| May humidity    =65
| Jun humidity    =66
| Jul humidity    =67
| Aug humidity    =68
| Sep humidity    =67
| Oct humidity    =67
| Nov humidity    =66
| Dec humidity    =65
| year humidity   =
| Jan sun = 171
| Feb sun = 171
| Mar sun = 215
| Apr sun = 234
| May sun = 259
| Jun sun = 276
| Jul sun = 315
| Aug sun = 288
| Sep sun = 235
| Oct sun = 202
| Nov sun = 167
| Dec sun = 155
| year sun = 2696
| source 1 = [[Agencia Estatal de Meteorología]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=8416&k=undefined |title=Valores climatológicos normales |work=[[Agencia Estatal de Meteorología]] |access-date=18 June 2020 |language=es |archive-date=19 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619082834/http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=8416&k=undefined |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/efemerides_extremos?w=0&k=val&l=8416&datos=det |title=Valores Extremos |work=[[Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia]] |access-date=6 January 2024 |archive-date=6 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106164847/https://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/efemerides_extremos?w=0&k=val&l=8416&datos=det |url-status=live }}</ref>
| date = June 2020
| source = 
}}

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations|1842|89291|1857|137960|1877|163573|1887|190163|1900|215687|1910|233018|1920|247281|1930|315816|1940|454654|1950|503886|1960|501777|1970|648003|1981|744748|1991|752909|2001|738441|2011|792054|2021|788842|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}}
The third largest city in Spain and the [[Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits|21st most populous municipality]] in the [[European Union]], Valencia has a population of 824,304 within its administrative limits<ref name="population2" /> on a land area of {{convert|134.6|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} as of 2025. The [[urban area]] of Valencia extending beyond the administrative city limits has a population of between 1,564,145<ref>[[Eurostat]] – [[Larger Urban Zones]]: [http://www.urbanaudit.org/CityProfiles.aspx Urban Audit.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217141925/http://www.urbanaudit.org/CityProfiles.aspx |date=17 December 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Inici - València |url=https://www.valencia.es/val/estadistica/inici |access-date=6 September 2021 |website=www.valencia.es |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906185024/https://www.valencia.es/val/estadistica/inici |url-status=live}}</ref> and 1,595,000.<ref name="WorldUrbanAreas">[http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf World Urban Areas] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503021711/http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf |date=3 May 2018 }} – [[Demographia]], 04.2018</ref>

According to the [[Ayuntamiento of Valencia]] and Spanish [[Ministry of Development (Spain)|Ministry of Development]], the metropolis within the [[Horta of Valencia]] has a population of 1,567,118 in an area of {{cvt|628.81|km2}}.<ref name="AjuntamentDeValencia">{{Cite web |url = https://www.valencia.es/val/estadistica/cataleg-de-publicacions?p_p_id=EstadisticaCatalogo_INSTANCE_9NVaM7N6ZUpB&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_EstadisticaCatalogo_INSTANCE_9NVaM7N6ZUpB_IDCatalogo=11873537&_EstadisticaCatalogo_INSTANCE_9NVaM7N6ZUpB_jspPage=%2Fcatalogo_publicaciones.jsp&_EstadisticaCatalogo_INSTANCE_9NVaM7N6ZUpB_serie=51 |title = Padró d'habitants 2020. Municipis de l'Àrea Metropolitana |author = Ajuntament de Valencia |access-date = 1 May 2024 |archive-date = 5 April 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230405010058/https://www.valencia.es/val/estadistica/cataleg-de-publicacions?p_p_id=EstadisticaCatalogo_INSTANCE_9NVaM7N6ZUpB&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_EstadisticaCatalogo_INSTANCE_9NVaM7N6ZUpB_IDCatalogo=11873537&_EstadisticaCatalogo_INSTANCE_9NVaM7N6ZUpB_jspPage=/catalogo_publicaciones.jsp&_EstadisticaCatalogo_INSTANCE_9NVaM7N6ZUpB_serie=51 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="DG">{{Cite web |url = https://apps.fomento.gob.es/CVP/handlers/pdfhandler.ashx?idpub=BAW087 |title = Áreas Urbanas en España, 2021 |author = Dirección General de Vivienda y Suelo |access-date = 1 May 2024 |archive-date = 30 December 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211230104227/https://apps.fomento.gob.es/CVP/handlers/pdfhandler.ashx?idpub=BAW087 |url-status = dead }}</ref> From 2001 to 2011, there was a population increase of 14.1%, amounting to 191,842 people.<ref name="MdFdE">[http://www.fomento.gob.es/MFOM.CP.Web/handlers/pdfhandler.ashx?idpub=BAW013 Áreas urbanas +50, Ministerio de Fomento de España] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826234241/http://www.fomento.gob.es/MFOM.CP.Web/handlers/pdfhandler.ashx?idpub=BAW013 |date=26 August 2014 }}.</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable"
!colspan=4| Division of the metropolis ''Horta de Valencia''
|-
! Comarca
! Population <small>(2019)<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.ine.es/intercensal/inicio.do |title=INEbase. Alteraciones de los municipios |access-date=1 May 2024 |archive-date=25 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925190314/https://www.ine.es/intercensal/inicio.do |url-status=live }}</ref></small>
! Area
! Density
|-
| City of Valencia
| 801,545
| 134.7 km²
| 5,853/km²
|-
| [[Horta Oest]] (western zone)
| 359,337
| 187.6 km²
| 1,982/km²
|-
| [[Horta Nord]] (north zone)
| 228,424
| 140.4 km²
| 1,627/km²
|-
| [[Horta Sud]] (south zone)
| 178,118
| 166.2 km²
| 1,071/km²
|-
| '''Total:'''
| '''1,567,118'''
| '''631.9 km²'''
| '''2,480/km²'''
|}

The metropolitan area had a population of 1,770,742 in 2010 according to citypopulation.de,<ref>[http://www.citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html The Principal Agglomerations of the World – Population Statistics and Maps] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704112702/http://www.citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html |date=4 July 2010 }} – citypopulation.de</ref> 2,300,000 in 2015 according to the [[OECD|Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development]],<ref>[[OECD|Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development]], ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=kBsfY-Pe2Q4C Competitive Cities in the Global Economy] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016032356/https://books.google.com/books?id=kBsfY-Pe2Q4C |date=16 October 2015 }}'', OECD Territorial Reviews, (OECD Publishing, 2006), Table 1.1</ref> 2,513,965 in 2017 according to the [[World Gazetteer]],<ref>[https://en.populationdata.net/countries/spain/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055641/https://en.populationdata.net/countries/spain/|date=3 December 2018}} – World Gazetteer, 2017</ref> and 2,522,383 in 2017 according to [[Eurostat]].<ref name="MetroRegion">[http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_pjanaggr3&lang=en "Population by sex and age groups"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622081900/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_pjanaggr3&lang=en |date=22 June 2016 }} – [[Eurostat]], 2017.</ref>

Between 2007 and 2008, there was a 14% increase in the [[Foreign born|foreign-born]] population, with the largest numeric increases by country being from [[Bolivia]], [[Romania]], and [[Italy]]. This growth in the foreign born population, which rose from 1.5% in 2000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ayto-valencia.es/ayuntamiento/webs/estadistica/Padron/2001/Pob_estrangera_2001.xls |title=foreign born population in 2001 |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-date=20 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720133411/http://www.ayto-valencia.es/ayuntamiento/webs/estadistica/Padron/2001/Pob_estrangera_2001.xls |url-status=live}}</ref> to 9.1% in 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ayto-valencia.es/ayuntamiento/otras_publicaciones.nsf/0/44A5D00DFB826F6DC12575E00027F9CA/$FILE/Pob_Estrangera_2009.pdf |title=Foreign born population in 2008, p7 |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720133538/http://www.ayto-valencia.es/ayuntamiento/otras_publicaciones.nsf/0/44A5D00DFB826F6DC12575E00027F9CA/$FILE/Pob_Estrangera_2009.pdf |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> has also occurred in the two larger cities of [[Madrid]] and [[Barcelona]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ayto-valencia.es/ayuntamiento/webs/estadistica/Padron/2007/Pob_estrangera_2007.xls |title=Table 1.1 foreign born population |access-date=9 March 2011 |archive-date=20 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720133452/http://www.ayto-valencia.es/ayuntamiento/webs/estadistica/Padron/2007/Pob_estrangera_2007.xls |url-status=live}}</ref> The main countries of origin in those cases were Romania, the [[United Kingdom]], and [[Bulgaria]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.kyero.com/en/data/spain/community/valencia/population |title=Population of Valencia 2017 |access-date=29 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223726/https://data.kyero.com/en/data/spain/community/valencia/population |archive-date=15 December 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Banco de Valencia, Valencia, España, 2014-06-30, DD 135.JPG|thumb|right|[[Banco de Valencia|Bank of Valencia]]]]

Valencia enjoyed strong economic growth before the [[Great Recession|Great Recession of 2008]], much of it spurred by tourism and [[construction]],{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} with concurrent development and expansion of telecommunications and transport. The city's economy is service-oriented, as nearly 84% of the working population is employed in service sector occupations.{{Citation needed|date=May 2014}} However, the city still maintains an important industrial base, with 8.5% of the population employed in this sector. Growth has recently improved in the manufacturing sector, mainly automobile assembly; [[Ford Valencia Body and Assembly]] lies in the municipality of [[Almussafes]].<ref>[http://corporate.ford.com/our-company/operations-worldwide/global-operations-detail/spain-assemblyplants-valenciabody Global Operations – Spain: Valencia Body and Assembly] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120053655/http://corporate.ford.com/our-company/operations-worldwide/global-operations-detail/spain-assemblyplants-valenciabody |date=20 November 2014 }} – Corporate.ford.com</ref> Agricultural activity still occurs but is of relatively minor importance, with only 1.9% of the working population working in agriculture and {{cvt|3,973|ha}} of farmland (mostly orchards and citrus groves).

Since the onset of the Great Recession, Valencia had experienced a growing unemployment rate, increased government debt, and other issues, and severe spending cuts were introduced by the city government. However, in 2009, Valencia was designated "the 29th fastest-improving European city".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citymayors.com/business/euro_bizcities.html |title=Best European business cities |publisher=City Mayors |date=28 October 2009 |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723081225/http://www.citymayors.com/business/euro_bizcities.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Its influence in commerce, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts contributes to its status as one of the world's "Gamma" rank [[global city|global cities]].<ref name="GAWC">{{cite web |title=The World According to GaWC 2020 |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |website=GaWC - Research Network |publisher=Globalization and World Cities |access-date=31 August 2020 |archive-date=24 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824031341/https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''Forbes'', Valencia is among the most livable cities in the world.<ref>[https://elpais.com/espana/comunidad-valenciana/2025-01-15/forbes-elige-valencia-como-destino-ideal-para-vivir-tras-jubilarse.html El País: "Forbes elige Valencia como destino ideal para vivir tras jubilarse" (15 Jan 2025)]</ref>

The city is the seat of one of the four [[stock exchange]]s in Spain, the {{ill|Bolsa de Valencia|es}}, part of [[Bolsas y Mercados Españoles]] (BME), owned by [[SIX Group]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://valenciaplaza.com/bolsa-de-valencia-ni-valenciana-ni-espanola-suiza-como-bme-por-six-group |title=Bolsa de Valencia, ni valenciana ni española: ya es suiza (como BME) |date=12 June 2020 |first=Luis A. |last=Torralba |website=Valencia Plaza |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720112221/https://valenciaplaza.com/bolsa-de-valencia-ni-valenciana-ni-espanola-suiza-como-bme-por-six-group |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Valencia metropolitan area had a [[List of cities by GDP|GDP amounting to $52.7&nbsp;billion]], and $28,141 per capita.<ref name="Brookings">{{cite web |url=http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/global-metro-monitor-3 |title=Global city GDP 2011 |publisher=Brookings Institution |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605135349/http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/global-metro-monitor-3 |archive-date=5 June 2013}}</ref>

In 2021, the [[European Investment Bank]] (EIB) provided a €27 million loan to Sociedad Anónima Municipal Actuaciones Urbanas de Valencia (AUMSA) to support affordable public rental housing projects, which included building 323 new units and renovating four existing ones, expanding AUMSA's housing stock by more than 50%.<ref name=":208">{{Cite book |last=Bank |first=European Investment |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/20240079-eib-group-activity-in-eu-cohesion-regions-2023 |title=EIB Group activities in EU cohesion regions 2023 |date=2024-07-15 |publisher=European Investment Bank |isbn=978-92-861-5761-5 |language=EN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Press corner |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=European Commission - European Commission}}</ref>

In 2022, the city was voted the world's top destination for [[expatriate]]s, based on criteria such as [[quality of life]] and affordability.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2022 |title=Valencia named top city for expats |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/valencia-top-city-expats-spain-b2239265.html |access-date=30 January 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130153005/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/valencia-top-city-expats-spain-b2239265.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Liu |first=Jennifer |title=This Spanish city is the No. 1 place to live and work abroad―and it's about to get easier to become a digital nomad there |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/01/this-spanish-city-is-the-no-1-place-to-live-and-work-abroad.html |access-date=30 January 2023 |website=CNBC |date=December 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130151636/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/01/this-spanish-city-is-the-no-1-place-to-live-and-work-abroad.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Port===
{{Main|Port of Valencia}}
[[File:Valence Port (2).jpg|thumb|View of the port of Valencia]]
Valencia's port is the biggest on the Mediterranean western coast,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.valenciaport.com/en-US/ValenciaportEntorno/ValenciaportCifras/Introduccion/Paginas/ValenciaportCifras.aspx |title=Valenciaport in figures |publisher=valenciaport.com |access-date=1 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909202120/http://www.valenciaport.com/en-US/ValenciaportEntorno/ValenciaportCifras/Introduccion/Paginas/ValenciaportCifras.aspx |archive-date=9 September 2009}}</ref> the first in Spain in container traffic {{As of|2008|lc=y}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Burguera |url=http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/20080910/economia/valencia-supera-algeciras-lidera-20080910.html |title=Valencia supera an Algeciras y lidera por primera vez el tráfico de contenedores en España. Las Provincias |date=10 September 2008 |publisher=Lasprovincias.es |access-date=18 June 2009 |language=es |archive-date=12 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212111800/http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/20080910/economia/valencia-supera-algeciras-lidera-20080910.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and the second in Spain<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.puertoalgeciras.org/2008/04/resumen-general-del-trafico-portuario.html |title=Resumen general del tráfico portuario en febrero &#124; Puerto Bahía de Algeciras Blog |publisher=Puertoalgeciras.org |date=22 February 1999 |access-date=18 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806075730/http://www.puertoalgeciras.org/2008/04/resumen-general-del-trafico-portuario.html |archive-date=6 August 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> in total traffic, handling 20% of Spain's exports.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mckinley |first=James C. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/global/spainvalencia/nine.html |title=NY Times, 30 July 2008 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2 March 2011 |access-date=9 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407171724/http://www.nytimes.com/global/spainvalencia/nine.html |archive-date=7 April 2008}}</ref> The main exports are foodstuffs and beverages. Other exports include oranges, furniture, ceramic tiles, fans, textiles and iron products. Valencia's [[Secondary sector of the economy|manufacturing sector]] focuses on metallurgy, chemicals, textiles, shipbuilding and brewing. Small and medium-sized industries are an important part of the local economy, and before the current crisis,{{When|date=June 2023}} unemployment was lower than the Spanish average.

Valencia's port underwent radical changes to accommodate the 32nd [[America's Cup]] in 2007. It was divided into two parts—one was unchanged while the other section was modified for America's Cup festivities. The two sections remain divided by a wall that projects far into the water to maintain clean water for America's Cup events.

===Transport===
[[File:Estació d'Aeroport (Metrovalència).jpg|thumb|right|Metrovalencia, rapid transit]]

Public transport is provided by [[Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana]] (FGV), which operates the [[Metrovalencia]] (rapid transit, tram) and other rail and bus services. The [[Estació del Nord (Valencia)|Estació del Nord]] (North Station) is the major railway terminus in Valencia. A second station, the [[Valencia-Joaquín Sorolla railway station|Estació de València-Joaquín Sorolla]], has been built on land adjacent to this terminus to accommodate high speed [[AVE]] trains to and from Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Alicante. [[Valencia Airport]] is situated {{convert|9|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of the city centre, and [[Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport|Alicante–Elche Airport]] is approximately {{convert|133|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of the city centre.

A [[bicycle-sharing system]] named [[Valenbisi]] is available to both visitors and residents. As of 13 October 2012, the system had 2750 bikes distributed over 250 stations throughout the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.valenbisi.com/What-is-Valenbisi |title=Valenbisi's official website |publisher=Valenbisi.com |access-date=24 October 2015 |archive-date=7 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107064417/http://www.valenbisi.com/What-is-Valenbisi |url-status=live}}</ref>

The average amount of time people spend on public transit in Valencia on a weekday is 44 minutes. 6% of public transit riders ride for more than 2 hours every day. The average amount of time people wait at a stop or station for public transit is 10 minutes, while 9% of riders wait for over 20 minutes on average every day. The average distance people usually ride in a single trip with public transit is {{cvt|5.9|km}}, while 8% travel for over {{cvt|12|km}} in a single direction.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://moovitapp.com/insights/en/Moovit_Insights_Public_Transit_Index_Spain_Valencia-1669 |title=Valencia Public Transportation Statistics |publisher=Global Public Transit Index by Moovit |access-date=19 June 2017 |archive-date=24 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824180628/https://moovitapp.com/insights/en/Moovit_Insights_Public_Transit_Index_Spain_Valencia-1669 |url-status=live}} [[File:CC-BY_icon.svg|50x50px]] Material was copied from this source, which is available under a [[creativecommons:by/4.0/|Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License]].</ref>

===Tourism===
[[File:La Malvarrosa - Juanedc.jpg|thumb|Malvarrosa Beach]]
Starting in the mid-1990s, Valencia, formerly an industrial centre, saw rapid development that expanded its cultural and tourism possibilities, and transformed it into a newly vibrant city. Many local landmarks were restored, including the medieval [[Torres de Serranos]] and Quart Towers and the {{ill|Monasterio de San Miguel de los Reyes|es}}, which now holds a conservation library. Whole sections of the old city, for example the Carmen Quarter, have been extensively renovated. The ''Passeig Marítim'', a {{convert|4|km|mi|0|abbr=on|adj=on}}&nbsp;long palm tree-lined beach promenade, was constructed along the [[beach]]es of the north side of the port ''(Platja de Les Arenes, Platja del Cabanyal and Platja de la Malva-rosa'').

Valencia boasts a highly active and diverse [[nightlife]], with [[Bar (establishment)|bars]], dance bars, [[beach bar]]s and [[nightclub]]s staying open well past midnight.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/europe/viva-valencia-welcome-to-the-european-city-that-never-sleeps-34341132.html |title=Viva Valencia! Welcome to the European city that never sleeps |date=10 January 2006 |publisher=Independent.ie |access-date=14 February 2022 |archive-date=6 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206175153/https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/europe/viva-valencia-welcome-to-the-european-city-that-never-sleeps-34341132.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The city has numerous [[Convention center|convention centres]] and venues for trade events, among them the Institución Ferial de Valencia and the Palau de Congressos (Conference Palace), and several five-star hotels to accommodate business travelers.

[[File:Fallas2017 Mascletà 06.jpg|thumb|left|Locals and tourists watching the traditional "[[mascletà]]" during ''[[Falles]]'']]
In its long history, Valencia has acquired many local traditions and festivals, among them the ''[[Valencia Fallas|Falles]]'', which was declared a Celebration of International Tourist Interest ''(Festes d'Interés Turístic Internacional)'' on 25 January 1965 and an [[intangible cultural heritage]] by UNESCO on 30 November 2016, and the Water Tribunal of Valencia ''(Tribunal de les Aigües de València)'', which was declared an intangible cultural heritage in 2009. In addition to these, Valencia has hosted world-class events that helped shape the city's reputation and put it in the international spotlight, such as the Regional Exhibition of 1909, the 32nd and the 33rd [[America's Cup]] competitions, the [[European Grand Prix]] of [[Formula One]] auto racing, the former [[Valencia Open]] tennis tournament, and the Global Champions Tour of equestrian sports. The final round of the [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|MotoGP]] Championship is held annually at the [[Circuit Ricardo Tormo|Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana]].

The [[2007 America's Cup]] yachting races were held at Valencia in June and July 2007 and attracted huge crowds. The Louis Vuitton stage drew 1,044,373 visitors and the America's Cup match drew 466,010 visitors to the event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Economic Impact of the 32nd America's Cup Valencia 2007 |url=http://www.tourisminsights.info/ONLINEPUB/SPORT%20AND%20EVENTS/SAET%20PDFS/INSTITUTO%20VALENCIANO%20DE%20INVESTIGACIONES%20ECONOMICAS%20(2007),%20Economic%20Impact%20of%20the%2032nd%20America%92s%20Cup%20Valencia%202007,%20Ivie,%20Valencia%20.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911122058/http://www.tourisminsights.info/ONLINEPUB/SPORT%20AND%20EVENTS/SAET%20PDFS/INSTITUTO%20VALENCIANO%20DE%20INVESTIGACIONES%20ECONOMICAS%20(2007),%20Economic%20Impact%20of%20the%2032nd%20America%92s%20Cup%20Valencia%202007,%20Ivie,%20Valencia%20.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 September 2016 |website=tourisminsights.info |publisher=Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas |access-date=31 August 2016}}</ref>

In October 2021, Valencia was shortlisted for the [[European Commission]]'s 2022 European Capital of Smart Tourism award, along with [[Bordeaux]], [[Copenhagen]], [[Dublin]], [[Florence]], [[Ljubljana]], and [[Palma de Mallorca]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 European Capital of Smart Tourism - Competition winners 2022 |url=https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/cities/competition-winners-2022_en |website=European Commission |date=2 October 2021 |access-date=8 November 2022 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107212251/https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/cities/competition-winners-2022_en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Valencia boasts a [https://www.comunitatvalenciana.com/en/valencia/valencia Museu Obert|Open Air Museum], as a walking tour.

== Government and administration ==
{{Main|Ayuntamiento of Valencia}}
{{see also|Valencia City Council elections}}
[[File:Ayuntamiento de Valencia, España, 2014-06-30, DD 121.JPG|thumb|right|View of [[Valencia City Hall]]]]
Valencia is a [[Municipalities of Spain|municipality]], the basic local administrative division in Spain. The [[Ayuntamiento (Spain)|''ayuntamiento'']] (''Ajuntament'' in [[Valencian language]]) is formally known as the ''Consell Municipal de València'', and it is the body charged with the municipal government and administration,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/ayuntamiento.nsf?opendatabase&lang=1&nivel=1 |publisher=Ayuntamiento de Valencia |title=Ayuntamiento de Valencia |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725104259/http://valencia.es/ayuntamiento/ayuntamiento.nsf?opendatabase&lang=1&nivel=1 |url-status=live}}</ref> and is formed by 33 elected municipal councillors. In 2015, [[Joan Ribó]] became the first mayor who did not belong to the [[People's Party (Spain)|People's Party]] (PP) since 1991, renewing his term for a second mandate following the 2019 election.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lasexta.com/noticias/nacional/joan-ribo-investido-nuevo-alcalde-valencia-apoyo-pspv_201906155d04bc890cf216f9f69a3426.html |website=[[LaSexta]] |title=Joan Ribó, investido de nuevo alcalde de Valencia con el apoyo del PSPV |date=15 June 2019 |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720215847/https://www.lasexta.com/noticias/nacional/joan-ribo-investido-nuevo-alcalde-valencia-apoyo-pspv_201906155d04bc890cf216f9f69a3426.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2023 Valencia City Council election|last municipal election]] took place on 28 May 2023. [[María José Catalá]] of the PP replaced Ribó.

==Culture==
{{Multiple image
| image1            = Paella hirviendo.jpg
| caption1          = Traditional preparation of paella.
| direction         = vertical
| image2            = Horchata de chufa 2.jpg
| caption2          = A glass of [[orxata]] and [[fartons]]
}}

Valencia is known internationally for the [[Falles]] (''Les Falles''), a local festival held in March, as well as for ''[[paella]] valenciana'', traditional Valencian [[ceramics]], craftsmanship in traditional dress, and the architecture of the [[Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències|City of Arts and Sciences]], designed by [[Santiago Calatrava]] and [[Félix Candela]].

There are also a number of well-preserved traditional Catholic festivities throughout the year, like those of the [[Semana Santa|Holy Week]], which are considered some of the most colourful [[Holy Week in Spain|in Spain]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Maritime Holy Week |url=https://www.visitvalencia.com/en/events-valencia/festivities/maritime-holy-week |website=visitvalencia.com |access-date=16 July 2019 |archive-date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716082341/https://www.visitvalencia.com/en/events-valencia/festivities/maritime-holy-week |url-status=live}}</ref>

Valencia used to be the place of the [[Formula One]] [[European Grand Prix]], first hosting the event on 24 August 2008, but was dropped later at the beginning of the [[2013 Formula One World Championship|2013]] Formula 1 season. However, Valencia still holds the annual Moto GP race at the [[Circuit Ricardo Tormo]], usually the last race of the season, in November.

The [[University of Valencia]] (officially ''Universitat de València Estudi General''), founded in 1499, is one of the oldest surviving universities in Spain and the oldest in the Valencian Community. It was listed as one of the four leading Spanish universities in the 2011 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.

In 2012, Boston's [[Berklee College of Music]] opened a satellite campus at the [[Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia]], their first and only international campus outside the U.S.<ref>{{cite news |last=Minder |first=Raphael |title=Berklee to Open a Campus in Spain |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/14/world/europe/14iht-educSide14.html |access-date=12 April 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=15 March 2011 |archive-date=23 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423222340/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/14/world/europe/14iht-educSide14.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2003, Valencia has also hosted the music courses of [[Musikeon]], the leading musical institution in the Spanish-speaking world.

Since 1886, the City of Valencia International Band Contest ({{langx|es|Certamen Internacional de Bandas de Música Ciudad de Valencia}}), a music contest for [[wind orchestra]]s and [[concert band]]s, is held each year in the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cibm-valencia.com/eng/I_historia.aspx|title=International Music Band Contest of Valencia|publisher=Valencia City Council|accessdate=26 May 2017}}</ref>

===Food===
{{Main|Valencian cuisine}}
Valencia is known for its gastronomic culture. The ''[[paella]]'', a simmered rice dish with meat (usually chicken or rabbit) or seafood, was born in Valencia. Other traditional dishes of Valencian gastronomy include [[fideuà]], [[arròs a banda]], [[arròs negre]] (black rice), [[fartons]], [[buñuelos|bunyols]], [[Tortilla de patatas|Spanish omelette]], [[pincho]]s or [[tapas]] and [[Squid (food)|calamares]] (squid).

Valencia was also the birthplace of the cold ''[[Cyperus esculentus|xufa]]'' beverage known as ''[[orxata]]'', popular in many parts of the world, including the Americas.

===Languages===
[[File:Carrer de la Pau, sign of street in Valencia.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|right|[[:ca:Carrer de la Pau|Carrer de la Pau]] street sign]]
[[Valencian language|Valencian]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] are the [[official language]]s. Spanish is currently the predominant language in the city proper.<ref>{{cite web |title=Institut Valencià d'Estadística |access-date=9 March 2011 |url=http://www.ive.es/portal/page/portal/IVE_PEGV/CONTENTS/censos/censo2001definitivos/ini_val.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928084558/http://www.ive.es/portal/page/portal/IVE_PEGV/CONTENTS/censos/censo2001definitivos/ini_val.htm |archive-date=28 September 2011 |work=[[Generalitat Valenciana]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> Valencia proper and its surrounding metropolitan area are—along with the [[Alicante]] area—the traditionally Valencian-speaking territories of the Valencian Community where the Valencian language is less spoken and read.{{Sfn|Briz|2004|p=120}} According to a 2019 survey commissioned by the local government, 76% of the population use only Spanish in their daily life, 1.3% use only the Valencian language, while 17.6% of the population use both languages.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.levante-emv.com/valencia/2019/09/22/1--ciudadania-habla-habitualmente/1924371.html |website=[[Levante-EMV]] |first=Sandra |last=Urbina |title=Solo el 1,3 % de la ciudadanía habla habitualmente en valenciano |date=21 September 2019 |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720210234/https://www.levante-emv.com/valencia/2019/09/22/1--ciudadania-habla-habitualmente/1924371.html |url-status=live}}</ref> However, vis-à-vis the education system and according to the 1983 regional Law on the Use and Teaching of the Valencian Language, the municipality of Valencia is included within the territory of Valencian linguistic predominance.{{Sfn|Zabaltza|2017|p=69}} In 1993, the municipal government agreed to use exclusively Valencian for the plaques that serve as street signs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.levante-emv.com/valencia/2016/01/29/nuevo-nomenclator-calles-valenciano/1371962.html |website=[[Levante-EMV]] |date=29 January 2016 |title=Nuevo nomenclátor de calles en valenciano |first=Hortensia |last=García |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720170526/https://www.levante-emv.com/valencia/2016/01/29/nuevo-nomenclator-calles-valenciano/1371962.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The variety of Valencian spoken in and around the city of Valencia is known as ''[[Central Valencian|apitxat]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|first=Kim|last=Schulte|page=96|year=2021|isbn=978-3-11-073965-7|title=Convergence and divergence in Ibero-Romance across contact situations and beyond|publisher=[[Walter de Gruyter]]|chapter=Structural convergence of two Ibero-Romance varieties. The case of colloquial Valencian as the outcome of contact between Catalan and Spanish|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6YWFEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA96}}</ref>

===Festivals===
;Falles
{{Main|Falles}}
[[File:Crema falla 2015.jpg|thumb|upright|''La cremà'' (burning of the ''ninots'') during the 2015 falles]]

Every year, the five days and nights from 15 to 19 March, called [[Falles]], are a continual festival in Valencia; beginning on 1 March, the popular pyrotechnic events called ''[[mascletà]]es'' start every day at 2:00 pm. The [[Falles]] (''Fallas'' in Spanish) is an enduring tradition in Valencia and other towns in the [[Valencian Community]],<ref name="fiestas">{{cite web |url=http://www.fvmp.es/fvmp3/guia/4.2.guia-cul-fiestas.html?codine=46250 |title=Fiestas de Valencia |author=City Council of Valencia |date=2008 |work=www.fvmp.es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113131540/http://www.fvmp.es/fvmp3/guia/4.2.guia-cul-fiestas.html?codine=46250 |archive-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> where it has become an important tourist attraction. The festival started being celebrated in the 18th century,<ref name="fallasvalencia.es">{{cite web |url=http://www.fallasvalencia.es/fallas/historia/historia-las-fallas/ |title=Historia de las Fallas – Fallas Valencia 2015 |first=Las |last=Provincias |work=fallasvalencia.es |access-date=1 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919234928/http://www.fallasvalencia.es/fallas/historia/historia-las-fallas/ |archive-date=19 September 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and came to be celebrated on the night of the feast day of [[Saint Joseph]], the patron saint of carpenters, with the burning of waste planks of wood from their workshops, as well as worn-out wooden objects brought by people in the neighborhood.<ref name="RodgersRodgers2002">{{cite book |author=Eamonn Rodgers |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary Spanish Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6KKFAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA174 |date=11 March 2002 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-78858-3 |page=174 |access-date=2 October 2016 |archive-date=29 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429223427/https://books.google.com/books?id=6KKFAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA174 |url-status=live}}</ref>

This tradition continued to evolve, and eventually the ''parots'' were dressed with clothing to look like people—these were the first ''ninots'', with features identifiable as being those of a well-known person from the neighborhood often added as well. In 1901 the city inaugurated the awarding of prizes for the best Falles monuments,<ref name="fallasvalencia.es"/> and neighborhood groups still rival with each other to make the most impressive creations.<ref name="Villarroya1992">{{cite book |author=Antonio Ariño Villarroya |title=La ciudad ritual: la fiesta de las Fallas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aUzLVON2UdMC&pg=PA13 |date=1 January 1992 |publisher=Anthropos Editorial |isbn=978-84-7658-368-5 |page=60 |access-date=2 October 2016 |archive-date=11 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611013844/https://books.google.com/books?id=aUzLVON2UdMC&pg=PA13 |url-status=live}}</ref> Their intricate assemblages, on top of pedestals for better visibility, depict famous personalities and topical subjects of the past year, presenting humorous and often satirical commentary on them.

On the night of 19 March, Valencians burn all the Falles in an event called "La Cremà".

;Holy Week
The ''Setmana'' or ''{{ill|Holy Week in Valencia|es|Semana Santa Marinera|lt=Semana Santa Marinera}}'', as the [[Holy Week]] is known in the city, was declared "Festival of National Tourist Interest" by 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lasprovincias.es/v/20120322/valencia/semana-santa-quiere-fiesta-20120322.html |website=[[Las Provincias]] |date=22 March 2012 |title=La Semana Santa quiere ser fiesta internacional |first=Marina |last=Costa |access-date=15 June 2020 |archive-date=24 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424162222/http://www.lasprovincias.es/v/20120322/valencia/semana-santa-quiere-fiesta-20120322.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Main sights==
Its historic centre is one of the largest in Spain, spanning approximately {{Convert|169|ha|acre}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ayto-valencia.es/ayuntamiento/webs/estadistica/inf_dtba/pub/Districte_01.pdf |title=Districte 1. Ciutat Vella |work=Oficina d'Estadística. Ajuntament de València |language=ca-valencia, es |year=2008 |access-date=16 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405033648/http://www.ayto-valencia.es/ayuntamiento/webs/estadistica/inf_dtba/pub/Districte_01.pdf |archive-date=5 April 2010 }}</ref> Major monuments include [[Valencia Cathedral]], the ''[[Torres de Serranos|Torres de Serrans]]'', the ''[[Torres de Quart]]'', the ''[[Lonja de la Seda]]'' (declared a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]] in 1996), and the ''[[Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències]]'' (City of Arts and Sciences), an entertainment, cultural and architectural complex designed by [[Santiago Calatrava]] and [[Félix Candela]].<ref name=CAC>{{cite web |url=http://www.cac.es/ |title=Sitio oficial de Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias |access-date=18 September 2011 |author=Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias |year=2011 |work=Cac.es |archive-date=23 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123101327/http://www.cac.es/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Museu de Belles Arts de València]]'' houses a large collection of paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries, including works by [[Velázquez]], [[El Greco]], and [[Francisco Goya|Goya]], as well as an important series of engravings by [[Giovanni Battista Piranesi|Piranesi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://museobellasartesvalencia.gva.es/ |title=MUSEO DE BELLAS ARTES DE VALENCIA |access-date=12 October 2011 |work=Museobellasartesvalencia.gva.es |editor=Generalitat Valenciana |archive-date=25 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525050236/http://museobellasartesvalencia.gva.es/historia.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Institut Valencià d'Art Modern]]'' (Valencian Institute of Modern Art) houses both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and photography.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ivam.es/ |title=Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno |access-date=12 October 2011 |work=Ivam.es |editor=Generalitat Valenciana |archive-date=16 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016083759/http://www.ivam.es/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Architecture===
The ancient winding streets of the Barrio del Carmen contain buildings dating to [[Roman Empire|Roman]] and [[Al-Andalus|Arab]] times. The [[Saint Mary of Valencia Cathedral|Cathedral]] and its bell tower [[Miguelete Tower|El Miguelete]], built between the 13th and 15th centuries, are primarily of [[Valencian Gothic]] style but contains elements of [[baroque architecture|Baroque]] and [[Romanesque architecture]]. Beside the cathedral is the [[Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken]] ''(Basílica De La Mare de Déu dels Desamparats)''. The 15th-century ''Serrans'' and ''Quart'' towers are part of what was once the wall surrounding the city.

[[UNESCO]] has recognised the Silk Exchange market ''([[Lonja de la Seda|La Llotja de la Seda]])'', erected in early Valencian Gothic style, as a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/782 |title=La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia |work=[[UNESCO World Heritage Centre]] |access-date=9 March 2011 |publisher=[[United Nations]] |archive-date=14 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514032507/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/782 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Central Market (''[[Mercado Central, Valencia|Mercat Central]]'') in [[Valencian Art Nouveau]] style, is one of the largest in Europe. The main railway station [[Estació del Nord (Valencia)|''Estació Del Nord'']] is built in [[Valencian Art Nouveau]] (a Spanish version of [[Art Nouveau]]) style.

World-renowned Valencia-born architect [[Santiago Calatrava]] produced the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences ''([[Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències]])'', which contains an opera house/performing [[arts centre]], a [[science museum]], an [[IMAX]] cinema/planetarium, an oceanographic park and other structures such as a long covered walkway and restaurants. Calatrava is also responsible for the bridge named after him in the centre of the city. The [[Palau de la Música de València]] (Music Palace) is another noteworthy example of modern architecture in Valencia.
<gallery mode="packed">
file:Plaça maededéu1.jpg|[[Valencia Cathedral]]
File:València, pati del palau de l'Almirall.jpg|The gothic courtyard of the Palace of the Admiral of Aragon (''Palau de l'Almirall'')
File:Convento de Santo Domingo, Valencia, España, 2014-06-29, DD 13.JPG|Convento de Santo Domingo (1300-1640)
file:Lonja Techo Fisheye.jpg|[[Llotja de la Seda]] (Silk Exchange, interior)
File:Mercado de Colón, Valencia, España, 2014-06-29, DD 09.JPG|[[Mercado de Colón|Mercat de Colon]] in [[Valencian Art Nouveau]] style
Valencia,_palazzo_de_marchese_di_Dos_Aigües,_esterno_01.jpg|[[Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas]]
file:Mercat façana5.jpg|[[Mercado Central, Valencia|Mercat Central]] (Central Market), in [[Valencian Art Nouveau]] style
File:València, Paseo Real Basilica Nuestra Señora-PM 51920.jpg|One of the few arch-bridges that links the cathedral with neighboring buildings. This one built in 1666.
File:WLM14ES - CONVENTO DE SAN MIGUEL DE LOS REYES DE VALENCIA 06122009 130023 00062 - .jpg|Monastery of San Miguel de los Reyes built between 1548 and 1763
File:Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, València, Valencia, Spain - panoramio (3).jpg|L'Hemisfèric ([[IMAX Dome]] cinema) and [[Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia]]
file:El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe – Bilim ve Uzay Müzesi.jpg|[[Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe]]
file:Ágora, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia, España, 2014-06-29, DD 58.JPG|[[Assut de l'Or Bridge]] and [[L'Àgora]] behind.
</gallery>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:Santjoanhospital pati.jpg|Sant Joan de l'Hospital church built in 1316 (except for a Baroque chapel)
File:Baños del Almirante 01.JPG|[[Mudéjar]] (Christian) baths Banys de l'Almirall (1313-1320)
File:Qk-Antoni-Peris-detalle-06.jpg|The [[Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia]], is the museum with the second largest amount of paintings in Spain,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.elmundo.es/comunidad-valenciana/2014/10/22/5447a69e22601d56348b4582.html |title=La segunda pinacoteca de España cumple 175 años y mira al siglo XXI |newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]] |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=4 April 2019 |author=EFE |author-link=EFE |publisher=[[Unidad Editorial Información General]] S.L.U. |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404195835/https://www.elmundo.es/comunidad-valenciana/2014/10/22/5447a69e22601d56348b4582.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elpais.com/ccaa/2017/01/12/valencia/1484235074_394875.html |title=El San Pío V, segunda pinacoteca de España, culmina su ampliación |newspaper=[[El País]] |date=12 January 2017 |first=Cristina |last=Vázquez |access-date=4 April 2019 |publisher=[[Prisa]] |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404171430/https://elpais.com/ccaa/2017/01/12/valencia/1484235074_394875.html |url-status=live}}</ref> after Prado Museum
File:Patriarca dins.jpg|[[Real Colegio Seminario del Corpus Christi]]
</gallery>

===Cathedral===
[[File:Cimbori almoina abril 1.jpg|thumb|upright|Northern view of the cathedral: dome, apse, and the Basilica of Our Lady]]
The [[Valencia Cathedral]] was called ''Iglesia Major'' in the early days of the ''Reconquista'', then ''Iglesia de la Seu'' (''Seu'' is from the Latin ''sedes'', i.e., (archiepiscopal) See), and by virtue of the papal concession of 16 October 1866, it was called the ''Basílica Metropolitana''. It is situated in the centre of the ancient Roman city where some believe the temple of Diana stood.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022|reason=Need a source for this statement.}} In Gothic times, it seems to have been dedicated to the Holy Saviour; [[El Cid|the Cid]] dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin; King [[James I of Aragon]] did likewise, leaving in the main chapel the image of the Blessed Virgin, which he carried with him and is reputed to be the one now preserved in the sacristy. The Moorish mosque, which had been converted into a [[Christian Church]] by the conqueror, was deemed unworthy of the title of the cathedral of Valencia, and in 1262 Bishop Andrés de Albalat laid the cornerstone of the new Gothic building, with three naves; these reach only to the choir of the present building. Bishop Vidal de Blanes built the chapter hall, and James I added the tower, called [[Miguelete Tower|El Miguelete]] in [[Castilian Spanish]] or Torre del Micalet in the [[Valencian language]] because it was blessed on St. Michael's day in 1418.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022|reason=In working the new Miguelete article, I did not see a source for this.}} The tower is about {{convert|58|m|ft|abbr=off}} high and is topped with a [[bell tower|belfry]] (1660–1736).

In the 15th century the dome was added and the naves extended back of the choir, uniting the building to the tower and forming a main entrance. Archbishop Luis Alfonso de los Cameros began the building of the main chapel in 1674; the walls were decorated with marbles and bronzes in the [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] style of that period. At the beginning of the 18th century, the German Conrad Rudolphus built the façade of the main entrance. The other two doors lead into the transept; one, that of the Apostles in pure pointed Gothic, dates from the 14th century, the other is that of the Palau. The additions made to the back of the cathedral detract from its height. The 18th-century restoration rounded the pointed arches, covered the Gothic columns with [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] pillars, and redecorated the walls.

The dome has no lantern, its plain ceiling being pierced by two large side windows. There are four chapels on either side, besides that at the end and those that open into the choir, the transept, and the sanctuary. It contains many paintings by eminent artists. A silver [[reredos]], which was behind the altar, was carried away in the war of 1808, and converted into coin to meet the expenses of the campaign. There are two paintings by [[Francisco Goya|Francisco de Goya]] in the San Francesco chapel. Behind the Chapel of the [[Blessed Sacrament]] is a small [[Renaissance]] chapel built by [[Pope Calixtus III|Calixtus III]]. Beside the cathedral is the chapel dedicated to the Our Lady of the Forsaken ''([[Virgen de los Desamparados|Mare de Déu dels Desemparats]])''.

The ''Tribunal de les Aigües'' (Water Court), a court dating from Moorish times that hears and mediates in matters relating to irrigation water, sits at noon every Thursday outside the ''Porta dels Apostols'' (Portal of the Apostles).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realitysense.com/valencia-water-court-tribunal-de-las-aguas/ |title=Valencia's unique 'Water Court' |date=25 September 2009 |publisher=Reality Sense |access-date=31 January 2011 |archive-date=21 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021221049/http://www.realitysense.com/valencia-water-court-tribunal-de-las-aguas |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Hospital===
[[File:Palau generalitat9.jpg|thumb|left|[[Palace of the Generalitat Valenciana|Palau de la Generalitat Valenciana]]]]
In 1409, a hospital was founded and placed under the [[patronage]] of [[Santa María de los Inocentes|Santa Maria dels Innocents]]; to this was attached a confraternity devoted to recovering the bodies of the unfriended dead in the city and within a radius of {{cvt|5|km}} around it. At the end of the 15th century this confraternity separated from the hospital, and continued its work under the name of "Cofradia para el ámparo de los desamparados". King [[Philip IV of Spain]] and the [[Duke of Arcos]] suggested the building of the new chapel, and in 1647 the [[Viceroy]], [[Conde de Oropesa]], who had been preserved from [[Bubonic plague|the bubonic plague]], insisted on carrying out their project. The Blessed Virgin was proclaimed patroness of the city under the title of ''Virgen de los desamparados'' (Virgin of the Forsaken), and Archbishop Pedro de Urbina, on 31 June 1652, laid the cornerstone of the new chapel of this name. The archiepiscopal palace, a [[grain trade|grain market]] in the time of the Moors, is simple in design, with an inside cloister and achapel. In 1357, the arch that connects it with the cathedral was built. Inside the council chamber are preserved the portraits of all the prelates of Valencia.

===Medieval churches===
[[File:SantaCatalina - Vertorama.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|Baroque belfry of the Gothic [[St. Catherine's Church, Valencia|Santa Catalina Church]]]]
{{stack|[[File:Iglesia de los Juanes, Valencia, España, 2014-06-29, DD 19.JPG|thumb|Sant Joan del Mercat Church (14th c.-1700)]]}}
*[[Church of Santos Juanes, Valencia|Sant Joan del Mercat]] – Gothic parish church dedicated to John the Baptist and Evangelist, rebuilt in the Baroque style after a 1598 fire. The interior ceilings were frescoed by [[Antonio Palomino|Palomino]]. 
*[[San Nicolás, Valencia|St. Nicolas]]
*[[St. Catherine's Church, Valencia|Santa Catalina]]
*[[St. Stephen's Church, Valencia|Sant Esteve]]

''El Temple'' (the Temple), the ancient church of the [[Knights Templar]], which passed into the hands of the [[Order of Montesa]] and was rebuilt in the reigns of [[Ferdinand VI of Spain|Ferdinand VI]] and [[Charles III of Spain|Charles III]]; the former convent of the [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]], at one time the headquarters of the ''Capitan General'', the cloister of which has a Gothic wing and chapter room, large columns imitating [[Arecaceae|palm trees]]; the ''Colegio del Corpus Christi'', which is devoted to the Blessed Sacrament, and in which [[Eucharistic adoration|perpetual adoration]] is carried on; the [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] college, which was destroyed in 1868 by the revolutionary Committee of the Popular Front, but later rebuilt; and the ''Colegio de San Juan'' (also of the Society), the former college of the nobles, now a provincial institute for secondary instruction.

===Squares and gardens===
[[File:Jardines del Turia. Valencia.jpg|thumb|left|[[Turia Garden]]]]
The [[List of city squares by size|largest plaza]] in Valencia is the ''Plaça del Ajuntament''; it is home to the [[Valencia City Hall|City Hall]] ''(Ajuntament)'' on its western side and the central post office ''(Edifici de Correus)'' on its eastern side, a cinema that shows classic movies, and many restaurants and bars. The plaza is triangular in shape, with a large cement lot at the southern end, normally surrounded by flower vendors. It serves as ground zero during the [[Falles|Les Falles]] when the fireworks of the ''[[Mascletà]]'' can be heard every afternoon. There is a large fountain at the northern end.

The ''[[Plaça de la Mare de Déu]]'' contains the Basilica of the Virgin and the Turia fountain, and is a popular spot for locals and tourists. Around the corner is the [[Plaza de la Reina]], with the cathedral, orange trees, and many bars and restaurants.

The [[Turia (river)|Turia River]] was diverted in the 1960s, after [[1957 Valencia flood|severe flooding]], and the old riverbed is now the [[Turia Garden]]s, which contain a children's playground, a fountain, and sports fields. The ''[[Palau de la Música de València|Palau de la Música]]'' is adjacent to the Turia gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences lies at one end. The [[Valencia Bioparc]] is a zoo, also located in the Turia riverbed.

Other gardens in Valencia include:
*The {{ill|Jardín de Monforte|es}}
*The ''[[Botanical Garden of Valencia]]'' (Jardí Botànic)
*The {{ill|Jardines del Real|es}} ('Del Real Gardens') or {{lang|es|Jardins de Viveros}} are located in the Pla del Real district, on just the former site of the [[Real Palace|Del Real Palace]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/infociudad_accesible.nsf/vDocumentosWebListado/FF9C0E294CBAE260C12572C20023FD3B?OpenDocument&bdOrigen=&idapoyo=&nivel=8&lang=1 |title=Ayuntamiento de Valencia. Jardines del Real – Jardines de Viveros |access-date=29 May 2015 |author=Ayuntamiento de Valencia |date=2010 |website=www.valencia.es |archive-date=29 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529065133/http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/infociudad_accesible.nsf/vDocumentosWebListado/FF9C0E294CBAE260C12572C20023FD3B?OpenDocument&bdOrigen=&idapoyo=&nivel=8&lang=1 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Museums===
[[File:Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.jpg|thumb|The [[Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències]] complex designed by Valencian architect [[Santiago Calatrava]] and Madrilenian architect [[Félix Candela]]]]
[[File:Valencia-L'Oceanogràfic2.jpg|thumb|[[L'Oceanogràfic]], located within the complex of the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, is currently the largest aquarium in Europe, housing 45,000 animals of 500 species.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oceanograficvalencia.com/info-oceanografic-valencia/ |title=Información Oceanografic de Valencia |first=WebMan - |last=www.webmandesign.eu |work=oceanograficvalencia.com |access-date=30 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013062510/http://oceanograficvalencia.com/info-oceanografic-valencia/ |archive-date=13 October 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>]]

*[[Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències]] (''City of Arts and Sciences''). Designed by the Valencian architect [[Santiago Calatrava]], it is situated in the former Túria riverbed and comprises the following monuments:
**[[Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía]], a flamboyant opera and music palace with four halls and a total area of {{convert|37000|m²|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}.
**[[L'Oceanogràfic]], the largest aquarium in Europe, with a variety of ocean beings from different environments: from the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]], fishes from the ocean and reef inhabitants, [[shark]]s, [[mackerel]] swarms, [[dolphinarium]], inhabitants of the [[polar region]]s ([[Beluga (whale)|belugas]], [[walrus]]es, penguins), coastal inhabitants (sea lions, etc.). L'Oceanogràfic also exhibits  smaller animals such as [[coral]], [[jellyfish]], [[sea anemone]]s, etc.
**[[El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe]], an interactive museum of science built to resemble the skeleton of a whale. It has an area of around {{convert|40,000|m2|0|abbr=off}} across three floors.
**{{ill|L'Hemisfèric|es}}, an IMAX cinema
*[[Prehistory Museum of Valencia|Museu de Prehistòria de València]] (Prehistory Museum of Valencia)
*[[Valencian Museum of Ethnology|Museu Valencià d'Etnologia]] (Valencian Museum of Ethnology)
*[[Vicente Blasco Ibáñez|Blasco Ibáñez]] House Museum
*[[Institut Valencià d'Art Modern]] - IVAM – Centre Julio González (Valencian Institute of Modern Art)
*[[Museu de Belles Arts San Pío V|Museu de Belles Arts de València]] (Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia)
*Museu Faller ([[Falles]] Museum)
*[[Valencia History Museum|Museu d'Història de València]] (Valencia History Museum)
*L'Almoina Museum (Centre Arqueològic de l'Almoina), located near the Cathedral
*[[Natural Science Museum of Valencia]], located at Jardins del Real
*Museu Taurí de València ([[Bullfighting]] Museum)
*MuVIM – Museu Valencià de la Il·lustració i la Modernitat (Valencian Museum of Enlightenment and Modernity)
*[[González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Decorative Arts]], housed in the [[Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas]]
*Computer Museum, located within the Technical School of Computer Engineering at the [[Technical University of Valencia]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://museo.inf.upv.es |title=Museo de Informática &#124; Web del Museo de Informática de la UPV |publisher=Museo.inf.upv.es |access-date=24 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918030031/http://museo.inf.upv.es/ |archive-date=18 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Sport==
[[File:Sentiment Valencianista.jpg|thumb|[[Mestalla]]]]
[[File:Estadi Ciutat de València - nocturna.jpg|thumb|[[Estadi Ciutat de València]]]]
[[File:VBC-Kazan Eurocup finals 2014 - 40.jpeg|thumb|[[Pabellón Fuente San Luis|Pavelló Municipal Font de Sant Lluís]]]]
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! scope="col" |Club
! scope="col" |League
! scope="col" |Sport
! scope="col" |Venue
! scope="col" |Established
! scope="col" |Capacity
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Valencia CF]]
|[[La Liga]]
|[[Association football|Football]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Mestalla]]
|1919
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |49,000
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Levante UD]]
|Segunda division
|[[Association football|Football]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Estadi Ciutat de València]]
|1909
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |25,354
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Valencia CF Mestalla]]
|[[Segunda Federación]]
|[[Association football|Football]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna|Estadi Antonio Puchades]]
|1944
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |4,000
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Valencia Basket Club]]
|[[Liga ACB|ACB]]
|Basketball
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Pabellón Fuente San Luis|Pavelló Municipal Font de Sant Lluís]]
|1986
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |9,000
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Valencia Giants]]
|[[Liga Nacional de Fútbol Americano|LNFA]]
|[[American football]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |Instalacions polideportives del Saler
|2003
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Valencia Firebats]]
|[[Liga Nacional de Fútbol Americano|LNFA]]
|[[American football]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |Estadi Municipal Jardí del Turia
|1993
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |500
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Valencia FS]]
|[[Tercera División de Futsal|Tercera División]]
|[[Futsal]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Pabellón Municipal de Sant Isidre|Sant Isidre]]
|1983
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |500
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Valencia Huracanes]]
|Euro XIII
|[[Rugby League]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |Estadio El Pantano de Villajoyosa
|2019
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |3,000
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Les Abelles]]
|[[División de Honor B de Rugby|División de Honor B]]
|[[Rugby Union]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Poliesportiu Quatre carreres]]
|1971
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |500
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[CAU Rugby Valencia]]
|[[División de Honor B de Rugby|División de Honor B]]
|[[Rugby Union]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Camp del Riu Túria]]
|1973
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |750
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[RC Valencia|Rugby Club Valencia]]
|[[División de Honor B de Rugby|División de Honor B]]
|[[Rugby Union]]
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Poliesportiu Quatre carreres]]
|1966
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |500
|}

===Football===
Valencia is also internationally famous for its football club, [[Valencia CF]], one of the most successful clubs in Europe and La Liga, winning the [[La Liga|Spanish league]] a total of six times including in 2002 and 2004 (the year it also won the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]), and was a [[UEFA Champions League]] [[runner-up]] in 2000 and 2001. The club is currently owned by [[Peter Lim]], a Singaporean businessman who bought the club in 2014. The team's stadium is the [[Mestalla Stadium|Mestalla]], which can host up to 49,000 fans. The club's city rival, [[Levante UD]], plays its home games at [[Estadi Ciutat de València]].

===American football===
Valencia is the only city in Spain with two American football teams in [[LNFA|LNFA Serie A]], the national first division: [[Valencia Firebats]] and [[Valencia Giants]]. The Firebats have been national champions four times and have represented Valencia and Spain in the European playoffs since 2005. Both teams share the Jardín del Turia stadium.

===Motor sports===
[[File:Valencia Street Circuit GT Open.jpg|thumb|[[Valencia Street Circuit]]]]
Once a year between 2008 and 2012 the European [[Formula One]] Grand Prix took place in the [[Valencia Street Circuit]]. Valencia is among (with [[Barcelona]], [[Porto]] and [[Monte Carlo]]) the only European cities ever to host Formula One World Championship Grands Prix on public roads in the middle of cities. The final race in [[2012 European Grand Prix]] saw home driver [[Fernando Alonso]] win for [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]], in spite of starting halfway down the field. The [[Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix]] ''(Gran Premi de la Comunitat Valenciana de motociclisme)'' is part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season at the [[Circuit Ricardo Tormo]] (also known as ''Circuit de València''), held in November in the nearby town of [[Cheste]]. Periodically the Spanish round of the [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters]] touring car racing Championship (DTM) is held in Valencia.

===Rugby League===
Valencia is also the home of the [[Asociación Española de Rugby League]], who are the governing body for [[Rugby league]] in Spain. The city plays host to a number of clubs playing the sport and to date has hosted all of the country's international home matches.<ref>{{cite web |title=Equipos Españoles de Rugby League |url=http://www.spainrugbyleague.com/#!clubes/c9qb |publisher=Espana Rugby League |access-date=6 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006135458/http://www.spainrugbyleague.com/#!clubes/c9qb |archive-date=6 October 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2015, Valencia hosted their first match in the [[Rugby league European Federation]] C competition, which was a qualifier for the [[2017 Rugby League World Cup]]. Spain won the fixture 40–30.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 September 2015 |title=European Championship C – Game 1 |url=http://www.rlef.eu.com/european_bowl/report?RLE00000627 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928143539/http://www.rlef.eu.com/european_bowl/report?RLE00000627 |archive-date=28 September 2015 |access-date=6 October 2015 |website=RLEF}}</ref>

==Districts==
[[File:Districtes ciutat valencia.svg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Districts of Valencia]]

*Ciutat Vella: La Seu, La Xerea, El Carmen, El Pilar, El Mercat, Sant Francesc
*[[Eixample, Valencia|Eixample]]: [[Ruzafa]], [[El Pla del Remei]], Gran Via
*Extramurs: El Botànic, La Roqueta, La Petxina, Arrancapins
*Campanar: Campanar, Les Tendetes, El Calvari, Sant Pau
*La Saïdia: Marxalenes, Morvedre, Trinitat, Tormos, Sant Antoni
*Pla del Real: Exposició, Mestalla, Jaume Roig, Ciutat Universitària
*Olivereta: Nou Moles, Soternes, Tres Forques, La Fontsanta, La Llum
*Patraix: [[Patraix]], Sant Isidre, Vara de Quart, Safranar, Favara
*Jesús: La Raiosa, L'Hort de Senabre, La Creu Coberta, Sant Marcel·lí, Camí Real
*Quatre Carreres: Montolivet, En Corts, Malilla, [[La Font de Sant Lluís]], Na Rovella, La Punta, [[Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències]]
*Poblats Marítims: El Grau, El [[Cabanyal]], El Canyameral, La Malva-Rosa, Beteró, Natzaret
*Camins del Grau: Aiora, Albors, Creu del Grau, Camí Fondo, Penya-Roja
*Algirós: Illa Perduda, Ciutat Jardí, Amistat, Vega Baixa, La Carrasca
*Benimaclet: [[Benimaclet]], Camí de Vera
*[[Rascanya]]: [[Els Orriols]], [[Torrefiel]], [[Sant Llorenç (Valencia)|Sant Llorenç]]
*Benicalap: Benicalap, Ciutat Fallera
*[[Pobles del Nord]]
*Pobles del Oest
*Pobles del Sud

===Other towns within the municipality of Valencia===
These towns administratively are within districts of Valencia.
*Towns north of Valencia city: [[Benifaraig]], [[Poble Nou (Valencia)|Poble Nou]], [[Carpesa]], [[Cases de Bàrcena]], [[Mauella]], [[Massarrojos]], [[Borbotó]]
*Towns west of Valencia city: [[Benimàmet]], [[Beniferri]]
*Towns south of Valencia city: [[Forn d'Alcedo]], [[Castellar-l'Oliveral]], [[Pinedo (Valencia)|Pinedo]], [[El Saler]], [[El Palmar, Valencia|El Palmar]], [[El Perellonet]], [[La Torre (Valencia)|La Torre]]

==Notable people==
{{Main|Category:People from Valencia}}

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Spain}}
Valencia is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref name=twins>{{cite web |title=Ciutats agermanades amb València |url=https://www.valencia.es/val/la-ciutat/ciutats-agermanades |website=valencia.es |publisher=València |language=ca |access-date=19 May 2021 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519114400/https://www.valencia.es/val/la-ciutat/ciutats-agermanades |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Mainz]], Germany (1978)
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Bologna]], Italy (1980)
*{{flagicon|VEN}} [[Valencia, Carabobo|Valencia]], Venezuela (1985)
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Veracruz (city)|Veracruz]], Mexico (1985)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Guangzhou]], China (2012)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Xi'an]], China (as of 2020, declaration of intent)
{{div col end}}

Valencia also has friendly relations with:<ref name=twins/>
<!--cities which don't list Valencia as their twin town-->
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Odesa]], Ukraine (1981)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Chengdu]], China (2017)

==See also==
{{Portal|Spain}}
*[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Valencia in Spain|Archdiocese of Valencia]]
*[[List of tallest buildings in Valencia]]
*[[Nou Mestalla]]
*[[Prehistory of the Valencian Community]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=James I. of Aragon |volume=15 |pages=141&ndash;142 }}
*{{cite book |last=Martínez Díez |first=Gonzalo |title=El Cid histórico: un estudio exhaustivo sobre el verdadero Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar |publisher=Editorial Planeta |year=1999 |location=Barcelona}}
*{{cite Catholic Encyclopedia |wstitle=Archdiocese of Valencia |last=Amado |first=Ramón Ruiz |volume=15}} 
*{{SmithDGRG|title=Valentia}}
*{{cite book |last1=Beltran i Calvo |first1=Vicent |last2=Segura i Llopes |first2=Carles |title=Els parlars valencians |year=2018 |publisher=Universitat de València |isbn=978-84-9134-240-3}}
*{{Cite journal |last=Aguiló Lúcia |first=Lluís |publisher=[[University of Valencia|Universitat de València]] |location=Valencia |title=Notas sobre la historia política de la ciudad de Valencia (1876-1939) |journal=Cuadernos Constitucionales de la Cátedra Fadrique Furió Ceriol |issn=1133-7087 |issue=1 |year=1992 |pages=59–65 |url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/2539465.pdf}}
*{{Cite journal |jstor=41678056 |title=El castellano en la Comunidad Valenciana |first=Antonio |last=Briz |journal=Revista Internacional de Lingüística Iberoamericana |volume=2 |issue=4 |year=2004 |pages=119–129}}
*{{Cite journal |title=Los aprovechamientos pesqueros en La Albufera de Valencia |first=Mario Enrique |last=Clemente Meoro |journal=Estudios Sobre Derecho Civil Foral Valenciano |editor-first=Francisca |editor-last=Ramón Fernández |editor-first2=Vicent-Jesús |editor-last2=Altur Grau |year=2008 |url=http://derechocivilvalenciano.com/estudios/costumbres-valencianas/item/download/26_c4bb892484afcf27e624fdd04db2a7ed |archive-date=22 July 2020 |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722015621/http://derechocivilvalenciano.com/estudios/costumbres-valencianas/item/download/26_c4bb892484afcf27e624fdd04db2a7ed |url-status=dead }}
*{{Cite journal |last=Franch Benavent |url=https://revistas.usc.gal/index.php/ohm/article/view/446 |first=Ricardo |title=El comercio en el Mediterráneo español durante la Edad Moderna. El estudio del tráfico a su vinculación con la realidad productiva y el contexto social |journal=Obradoiro de Historia Moderna |issn=1133-0481 |issue=17 |year=2008 |pages=77–112 |doi=10.15304/ohm.17.446 |location=Santiago de Compostela |publisher=[[University of Santiago de Compostela|Universidade de Santiago de Compostela]]|doi-access=free|hdl=10347/3896 |hdl-access=free }}
*{{Cite journal |title=Bandolerismo, piratería y control de moriscos en Valencia durante el reinado de Felipe II |last=García Martínez |first=Sebastián |journal=Estudis: Revista de Historia Moderna |year=1972 |issue=1 |pages=85–168 |issn=0210-9093 |publisher=[[University of Valencia|Universidad de Valencia]] |location=Valencia |url=http://roderic.uv.es/handle/10550/34018}}
*{{Cite journal |last=González Arévalo |title=La esclavitud en la España Medieval. (siglos XIV-XV). Generalidades y rasgos diferenciales |publisher=[[Jaume I University|Universitat Jaime I]] |year=2019 |issue=47 |journal=Millars: Espai i Història |location=Castellón de la Plana |pages=11–37 |issn=1132-9823 |doi=10.6035/Millars.2019.47.2 |url=http://www.e-revistes.uji.es/index.php/millars/article/view/4038/3435|doi-access=free|hdl=10234/187209 |hdl-access=free }}
*{{Cite journal |last=Navarro Espinach |journal=Anuario de Estudios Medievales |volume=24 |year=1994 |title=Los genoveses y el negocio de la seda en Valencia (1457-1512) |first=Germán |page=201 |issn=0066-5061 |publisher=[[Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]] |location=Barcelona |doi=10.3989/aem.1994.v24.971|doi-access=free |url=http://estudiosmedievales.revistas.csic.es/index.php/estudiosmedievales/article/view/971}}
*{{Cite journal |last=Pérez García |first=Pablo |title=La nobleza valenciana del Quinientos: lo social y su nomenclatura |doi=10.4000/e-spania.32914 |journal=E-Spania |issue=34 |year=2019 |publisher=[[Paris-Sorbonne University|Université Paris-Sorbonne, Paris IV]] |location=Paris |url=https://journals.openedition.org/e-spania/32914 |issn=1951-6169|doi-access=free|hdl=10550/71887 |hdl-access=free }}
*{{Cite journal |year=1999 |title=Valencia: opciones, desorden y modernidad, o la ciudad que se devora a sí misma |issue=47 |journal=Scripta Nova. Revista Electrónica de Geografía y Ciencias Sociales |volume=3 |url=https://revistes.ub.edu/index.php/ScriptaNova/article/view/121 |first=Alfonso |last=Puncel Chornet |location=Barcelona |publisher=[[University of Barcelona|Universidad de Barcelona]] |issn=1138-9788}}
*{{Cite journal |last=Santamaría |first=Álvaro |year=1992 |title=La demografía en el contexto de Valencia. Siglo XV |journal=Medievalia |volume=10 |pages=363–386 |doi=10.5565/rev/medievalia.291|doi-access=free |publisher=[[Autonomous University of Barcelona|Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]] |location=Bellaterra |url=https://revistes.uab.cat/medievalia/article/view/v10-santamaria}}
*{{Cite journal |journal=Bulletin d'Histoire Contemporaine de l'Espagne |issn=0987-4135 |issue=46 |year=2011 |last=Suárez Cortina |first=Manuel |title=El republicanismo en la España liberal (1820-1931). Una aproximación historiográfica |publisher=[[Publications de l'Université de Provence]] |location=Aix-en-Provence |pages=11–42}}
*{{Cite book |year=2009|chapter-url=https://roderic.uv.es/bitstream/handle/10550/28598/159-169.pdf?sequence=1 |chapter=Maldîna Balansiya. La Valencia andalusí. Siglos VIII-XIII |first=Josep |last=Torró |title=La ciudad de Valencia: historia, geografía y arte de la ciudad de Valencia |volume=1 |isbn=978-84-370-7665-2 |pages=159–169| publisher=Universitat de València }}
*{{Cite journal |title=¿Vías paralelas? Anticatalanismo valenciano y antivasquismo navarro durante la Transición |first=Xabier |last=Zabaltza |journal=Dictatorships & Democracies. Journal of History and Culture |year=2017 |volume=5 |issue=5 |pages=53–80 |doi=10.7238/dd.v0i5.3134 |location=Barcelona |issn=2564-8829 |publisher=[[Universitat Oberta de Catalunya]]; Fundació Carles Pi i Sunyer|doi-access=free|hdl=10357/48474 |hdl-access=free }}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite book |publisher=Karl Baedeker |location=Leipsic |title=Spain and Portugal: handbook for travellers |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/spainportugalhan00karlrich#page/n479/mode/2up |chapter=Valencia |date=1908 |oclc=1581249 |edition=3rd}}
*{{cite EB1911 |ref=none |wstitle=Valencia (city) |volume=27 |pages=845&ndash;846 }}
*{{cite EB1911 |ref=none |wstitle=Valencia (province) |volume=27 |pages=844&ndash;845 }}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=Valencia|Valencia}}
*[https://www.valencia.es/ Official website of the city of Valencia] (Valencian) {{in lang|es}}
*[https://www.visitvalencia.com/ Official tourism website of the city of Valencia] (Valencian) {{in lang|en|de|fr|es|pt|it|ja|zh}}
*[https://www.comunitatvalenciana.com/ Official website of the Community Valenciana tourism]
*[https://cac.es/en/ Valencia – The City of Arts & Science]
*[https://www.postalcodigo.com/valencia Postal codes in Valencia]


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[[Category:Valencia| ]]<!--leave the empty space as for standard-->
[[Category:Populated places in the Province of Valencia]]
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