Córdoba,_spain

Córdoba The pillar forest of the Mezquita Flag Coat of Arms Location Coordinates : 37°53′0″N 4°46′0″W / 37.88333, -4.76667Coordinates: 37°53′0″N 4°46′0″W / 37.88333, -4.76667 Time zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer : CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Córdoba (Spanish) Spanish name Córdoba Postal code 140xx Website http://www.cordoba.es/ Administration Country Spain Autonomous Community Andalucía Province Córdoba Mayor Rosa Aguilar (IU) Geography Land Area 1252 km² Altitude 120 m AMSL Population Population 321.164 (2005) Density 256,5 hab./km² (2005)

Historic Centre of Córdoba* UNESCO World Heritage Site State Party  Spain Type Cultural Criteria i, ii, iii, iv Reference 313 Region† Europe and North America Inscription history Inscription 1984  (8th Session) Extensions 1994 * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

On the Rio Guadalquivir, just downstream from the Puente Romano (Roman Bridge) is a restored Islamic water wheel that once would have raised water to the caliph\'s palace.

Córdoba is a city in Andalucía, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. Located at 37.88° North, 4.77° West, on the Guadalquivir river, it was founded in ancient Roman times as Corduba by Claudius Marcellus. Its population is 321,164 as of 2005.

Today a moderately-sized modern city, the old town contains many impressive architectural reminders of when Córdoba was the thriving capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba that governed almost all of the Iberian peninsula. It has been estimated that Córdoba, with up to 500,000 inhabitants in the tenth century, was the largest city in Western Europe and, perhaps, in the worldgeography.about.com.

History

Córdoba is the capital of the Roman province Provincia Hispania Ulterior Baetica. Great philosophers like Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger, orators like Seneca the Elder and poets like Lucan expressed themselves in the palaces of Cordoba. Later, it occupied an important place in the Provincia Hispaniae of the Byzantine Empire and during the Visigoth period.

Córdoba became a capital once more during the Independent Emirate and the Western Umayyad Caliphate, the period of its apogee, with a population ranging between 250,000 and 500,000 inhabitants. In the 10th century, Córdoba was one of the largest cities in the world, as well as a great cultural, political and economic centre. The Mosque of Córdoba dates back to this time.

With one of the most extensive historical heritages in the world (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO the 17th of December 1984), the city also features various modern areas: The districts of Zoco and Plan RENFE (train station).

The Junta de Andalucía has been studying for a time, the creation of the Metropolitan Area of Córdoba that would be composed, in addition to the capital, of the populations of Villafranca, Obejo, the Carlota, Villaharta, Villaviciosa, Almodóvar of Ri\'o and Guadalcázar. Thus, it would represent an approximate population of 351,000 inhabitants.

Geography

Its location on the banks of the Guadalquivir river and its easy access to the mining resources of the Sierra Morena (coal, lead, zinc) satisfy the population’s needs.

The city is located in a depression of the valley of the Guadalquivir. In the north is the Sierra Morena, which defines the borders of the municipal area.

Climate

Córdoba has a Mediterranean climate with Atlantic coastal influences. Winters are mild with isolated frosts.

Summers, with increased daily thermal oscillations, have the highest maximum temperatures in Europe, exceeding 40°C occasionally. Local minimum summer temperature is 27°C, the highest in Spain and Europe. Precipitation is concentrated in the coldest months; this is due to the Atlantic coastal influence. Precipitation is generated by storms from the west that occur more often from December through February. This Atlantic characteristic then gives way to a hot summer with significant drought more typical of Mediterranean climates.

Annual rain surpasses 500 mm although there is a recognized inter-annual irregularity. In agreement with the climatic Classification of Köppen, the local climate can be described as Csa.

Registered maximum temperatures at Córdoba Airport (located at 6 km of the city) are 46.6º (23rd, July 1995) and 46.2º (1st, August 2003). The minimum temperature is -8.2º (28th January 2005).

Important buildings

Religious architecture

• The Mezquita: The Mosque, which dates back to the Umayyad period (its construction started in 784), was converted to a Cathedral after the Reconquista.
• Synagogue (14th century)
• Fernandine- and Alphonsine-style churches (13th century)
• Monasteries and broods (some of them are desafected)

Civil and military architecture

• Alcázar of the Christian Kings (14th century)
• Palace of Viana with its flowered patios (16th century)
• Royal residences and palaces
• The Tower of Calahorra (14th century)
• The Door of the Bridge (16th century)
• The Plaza Vieja or Plaza Mayor
• Walls and towers of the Muslim and Christian period

Archaeological sites

• Roman archaeological remains (temple, mausoleum)
• Islamic archaeological remains (minarets preserved in the churches, Arab baths)
• Archaeological site of Madinat Al-Zahra (10th century)
• The Roman Bridge

Parks & Gardens

• Garden of the Victory
• Garden of the Rivas Duc
• Garden of the Agriculture
• Garden of the Conde de Vallellano
• Garden of Juan Carlos I
• Park Cruz Conde
• Sotos de la Albolafia
• Balcón del Guadalquivir
• Peri-urban park of Los Villares
• Park of the Miraflores

Traditional Events

Festival de Patios - every 2nd week of May, Cordobans opens up their home and patio to the delight of neighbours and tourists for a city-wide search for the best and most beautifully designed patio. http://www.patiosdecordoba.net/

Famous people born in Córdoba and its province

Córdoba was the birthplace of four famous philosophers: in Roman times the stoic Seneca, in Islamic times the Muslim Averroes, one of Islam\'s most famous and eminent scholars Imam Abu \'Abdullah Al-Qurtubi and the Jewish scholar Maimonides. Córdoba was also the birthplace of the Roman poet Lucan, the medieval Spanish poet Juan de Mena, and the Renaissance Luis de Góngora, who lived most of his life and wrote all his most important works but one in Córdoba. In addition some scholars have linked the Renaissance philosopher Abraham Cohen de Herrera to the city. More recently, several flamenco artists including Paco Peña, Vicente Amigo, and Joaquín Cortés were born here as well.

Twin cities

• Adana, Turkey
• Al Qayrawan, TunisiaLa Cooperación Directa en el Ayuntamiento de Córdoba - Córdoba City Council Web
• Damascus, Syria
• Manchester, United KingdomCorporaciones locales españolas hermanadas con Europa - Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias
• Bourg-en-Bresse, France
• Fes, Morocco
• Lahore, Pakistan

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Córdoba

• (Spanish) Official website of the city council.
• Cordoba 3D
• cordoba
• An insider\'s guide to visiting Córdoba
• rural tourism in Córdoba
• http://www.cordoba24.info/english Attractions, hotels, restaurants, activities
• http://www.castillosnet.org/cordoba/index1.shtml
• Cordobapedia
• Photography from Córdoba
• Lucadea.com - 33 pics of the city

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