Zaragoza

Zaragoza is the capital of the province of Zaragoza and of the autonomous community of Aragon in northeastern Spain. It lies on the Ebro River and serves as a major regional center for commerce, industry, and culture. The municipality has about 675,000 inhabitants, making it the fifth-largest city in Spain. The city experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. It is connected by major rail and road networks and hosts Zaragoza–Delicias railway station and Zaragoza Airport.

Historically, Zaragoza originated as the Roman castrum Caesaraugusta, founded in the 1st century BCE. Under Muslim rule it became the Taifa of Zaragoza, and after the Christian reconquest it developed as an important royal and cultural center of the Crown of Aragon. The University of Zaragoza was established in 1542. Notable monuments include the Moorish Aljafería Palace, the baroque Basílica del Pilar, and the Gothic-La Seo Cathedral.

In modern times, Zaragoza expanded rapidly during the 19th and 20th centuries and hosted the 2008 International Expo on Water, which left a lasting mark on the city’s parks and waterways. The city is a transportation hub with the AVE high-speed line to Madrid, the Zaragoza–Delicias station, and Zaragoza Airport, and it remains a center for logistics and industry.

Cultural life centers on its festivals and museums, including the Fiestas del Pilar in October and venues such as the Pablo Gargallo Museum.