 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2020) |
Albacete | |
|---|---|
 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 / 38.99556°N 1.85583°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)[1] | |
| • 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 |
Albacete (/ˌælbəˈseɪti/ AL-bə-SAY-tee,[2][3] US also /ˌɑːlbɑːˈseɪteɪ/ AHL-bah-SAY-tay,[4][5] Spanish: [alβaˈθete] ) is a city and municipality in the Spanish autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha, and capital of the province of 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.[6]
Among the several festivals celebrated in the city, the September Feria de Albacete stands out, declared as a festival of "International Tourist Interest".[7]
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.[8] 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.[9] Albacete hosts the School of TLP NATO pilots, Los Llanos Air Base.
- ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
- ^ "Albacete". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). HarperCollins. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
- ^ "Albacete". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on January 21, 2020.
- ^ "Albacete". Collins English Dictionary. HarperCollins. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
- ^ "Albacete". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
- ^ Moreno, Sara (February 7, 2011). "La ciudad de Albacete lidera la accesibilidad en España". Diario El Día de Albacete (in Spanish). Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- ^ EFE (September 1, 2008). "La Feria de Albacete consigue la declaración de Interés Turístico Internacional". Diario La Verdad (in Spanish). Vocento. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- ^ "Guide to Albacete in Castile la Mancha, Spain. Visitors guide to Albacete". www.idealspain.com. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ "46 Facts About Albacete". Facts.net. July 18, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.