valència

València is a city in eastern Spain, the capital of the Valencian Community and of the province of Valencia. It lies on the Mediterranean coast at the Turia river, about 350 kilometers southeast of Madrid. The city proper has around 800,000 residents, with a metropolitan area of roughly 1.6 million. Valencian and Spanish are commonly used, with Valencian (Valencià) recognized as an official language alongside Spanish.

València was founded by the Romans as Valentia and later prospered under Muslim rule before joining the Crown of Aragon in the medieval period. It developed as a commercial and maritime hub, notably in the silk trade. La Lonja de la Seda, a 15th-century Gothic building in the historic center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Major landmarks include the historic center with Valencia Cathedral and the Miguelete bell tower, the Silk Market (Mercado Central), and the medieval Torres de Serranos. The City of Arts and Sciences, a large complex of museums and an opera house designed by Santiago Calatrava, represents contemporary Valencia.

València is known for Las Fallas, a March festival featuring monumental sculptures that are burned at the end. It is also the origin of paella and a center for Valencian cuisine.

Valencia hosts the Port of Valencia, one of the busiest in the Mediterranean, and a diversified economy based on services, logistics, and tourism. The city is served by Valencia Airport and connected by high-speed rail to Madrid and Barcelona; urban transport includes metro, tram, and buses.

València has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Rainfall is seasonal, with most rain in autumn and spring.