Medina-Sidonia

Medina Sidonia
Flag of Medina Sidonia
Coat of arms of Medina Sidonia
Medina Sidonia is located in Spain
Medina Sidonia
Medina Sidonia
Location of Medina-Sidonia in Spain
Coordinates: 36°28′N 5°55′W / 36.467°N 5.917°W / 36.467; -5.917
CountrySpain
Autonomous communityAndalusia
ProvinceCádiz
Government
 • MayorManuel Fernando Macías Herrera (Izquierda Unida)
Area
 • Total493 km2 (190 sq mi)
Elevation
337 m (1,106 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total11,658
 • Density24/km2 (61/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Websitehttp://www.medinasidonia.com/

Medina Sidonia is a city and municipality in the province of Cádiz in the autonomous community of Andalusia, southern Spain. Considered by some to be the oldest city in Europe, it is used as a military defence location because of its elevation. Locals are known as Asidonenses. The city's name comes from Medina (Arabic for "City") and Sidonia (of Sidon) and means "City of Sidon".

Medina-Sidonia, one of Spain's most important ducal seats in the 15th century, produced an admiral, Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia, who led the Spanish Armada against England in 1588. The title of Duque de Medina Sidonia was bestowed upon the family of Guzmán El Bueno for his valiant role in taking the town. The line continues and was led until March 2008 by the controversial socialist Luisa Isabel Álvarez de Toledo, 21st Duchess of Medina Sidonia (born 1936).

  1. ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.