Albacete
Albacete (/ˌælbəˈseɪti/, also US: /ˌɑːlbɑːˈseɪteɪ/, Spanish: [alβaˈθete] ⓘ) is a city and municipality in the Spanish autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha, and capital of the province of Albacete.
Albacete | |
|---|---|
Municipality | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
| Nicknames: New York of La Mancha, City of the Cutlery | |
Location of Albacete | |
| Coordinates: 38°59′44″N 1°51′21″W | |
| Country | Spain |
| Autonomous community | Castilla–La Mancha |
| Province | Albacete |
| Government | |
| • Type | ayuntamiento |
| • Body | Ayuntamiento de Albacete |
| • Mayor | Emilio Sáez Cruz (PSOE) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,125.91 km2 (434.72 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 686 m (2,251 ft) |
| Population (2018) | |
| • Total | 173,050 |
| • Density | 150/km2 (400/sq mi) |
| Demonyms | Albacetian, Albacetene albaceteño, -ña; albacetense (es) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 02XXX |
| Area code | +34 (ES) + 967 (AB) |
| Website | albacete |
Lying in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula, the area around the city is known as Los Llanos. Halfway between Madrid and the Mediterranean coast, it enjoys connections by motorway, railway (including AVE), and air (Albacete Airport). With a population of 174,336 (2020), it is the largest municipality of Castilla–La Mancha. The municipality of Albacete is also the seventh-largest in Spain by total area, being 1,125.91 km2 (434.72 sq mi). Albacete is the seat to the regional High Court of Justice.
The origins of the city are uncertain, with the earliest proof of settlement dating to the time of Al-Andalus, when the settlement was originally named البسيط (Al-Basīṭ), meaning "The Flat" in Arabic, referring to the flat land around. Albacete was the main headquarters of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War
Part of the historic region of La Mancha, Albacete has a reputation as a producer of clasp knives. Its flat area and the removal of architectural barriers have reportedly made it one of the most accessible cities across the country.
Among the several festivals celebrated in the city, the September Feria de Albacete stands out, declared as a festival of "International Tourist Interest".
Albacete is home to multinational corporations like the Albacete Airport and has five large industrial zones, including Campollano, the largest industrial area of Castilla–La Mancha. Albacete houses one of the campus of the University of Castilla–La Mancha, the Biomedical Campus of Albacete and the Technology Park of Albacete.
The aviation industry is one of the main economic engines of the city. Albacete hosts the School of TLP NATO pilots, Los Llanos Air Base.