huerta

Huerta is a Spanish term used to denote an irrigated, cultivable plot of land, typically orchard or vegetable garden, located near water sources. In Spain and Latin American countries, huertas historically formed the backbone of agricultural communities, with irrigation and intensive cultivation.

The word derives from Latin hortus (garden) via Old Spanish and other Romance languages.

In Spain, "la huerta" refers to the irrigated orchard belt around Valencia, famed for citrus orchards and market gardening; the term also appears in place names across the Iberian Peninsula and in Latin American toponyms—e.g., towns and districts named "Huerta" or "La Huerta"—signifying former or current irrigation-based agriculture.

Huerta is also a surname of Spanish origin. It has spread to the Americas through migration and is found among Spanish-speaking communities worldwide. As a surname, it is associated with various professions, including politics, sports, and the arts.