| Albatera is a medium sized village in the Vega | | | | lined streets, with quaint white-walled houses. At |
| Baja region of the Costa Blanca in the Alicante | | | | the centre in the plaza is a beautiful parochial |
| province. It has a population of approximately | | | | church, dedicated to the apostle Santiago and built |
| 9,000 and its inhabitants speak mostly Spanish | | | | in 1729. The church is famed for its impressive |
| with a smattering of Catalan. | | | | baroque doorway, intricately carved in stone. Also |
| Albatera lies north of Cox on the N-340 and is | | | | in the plaza are the town hall and the old casino. |
| located handily for both Alicante and Murcia | | | | Albatera is surrounded by natural areas of |
| airports (41 km and 37 km respectively). Albatera | | | | mountains, plains and wetlands. One of the most |
| sits on the banks of the River Segura, a beautiful | | | | impressive of these areas being the municipal |
| spot with stunning views of the surrounding Sierra | | | | park - Parque de la Huerta (Park of the Orchards) |
| de Crevillent mountains - though the town itself | | | | consisting of 30,000m2 of gardens, with a lake, a |
| has a very level aspect. The area has a warm | | | | fountain and a variety of signposted walking |
| and temperate Mediterranean climate with the | | | | routes. Some outdoor musical events also take |
| Segura river basin having the lowest rainfall in the | | | | place here. |
| whole of Spain. The average temperature ranges | | | | Albatera has an intricate network of canals and |
| from 11 degrees centigrade in January to just | | | | irrigation channels, many dating from Roman |
| under 28 degrees in August. | | | | times, these supply the areas agricultural needs |
| Artefacts found in the area give testimony to its | | | | where the main produce is fruit (mostly lemons, |
| being inhabited in pre-historic times. The Romans | | | | oranges and dates) and vegetables. |
| invaded in the 3rd century BC and left their mark | | | | The historic city of Orihuela is just 12 km away |
| with a complex system of irrigation channels. The | | | | with its numerous fine churches. Albatera is just |
| Arabs invaded in the 5th century and held control | | | | 30 minutes away from some of the best |
| of the region until it was re-conquered by Alfonso | | | | beaches in the area. Close to Albatera is the tiny |
| the Wise (Alfonso X) in 1266. In 1296 Jaime II | | | | village of San Isidro which was only founded in |
| King of Aragon integrated Albatera along with | | | | 1959 after a law was passed to encourage |
| Cox and Crevillente into the kingdom of Aragon | | | | settlement of the marshy areas. It's white houses |
| and granted the Moors of these 3 villages safe | | | | are built in a grid system of identical streets. To |
| conduct to return to their former places of | | | | the east lies the agricultural town of Catral, and |
| residence and continue with their work for the | | | | beyond Catral the Hondo Reservoir with its |
| benefit of the crown. | | | | enjoyable trails and walks through picturesque and |
| The agreement of Elche 1305 set the boundaries | | | | scenic countryside. |
| of Castilla and Aragon as north and south of the | | | | One of Albatera's best known festivals is in July in |
| Segura river - the southern area including Albatera | | | | honour of Saint James the Apostle - a whole |
| and Crevillente belonging to Aragon and Cox going | | | | week is given over to the festivities, which |
| to Castilla. In 1609 the Moors were finally expelled | | | | includes "novilladas" where novice bullfighters |
| and the language and writings of the region | | | | challenge young bulls. Another major celebration is |
| became exclusively Castillan. | | | | the Moors and Christians festival. |
| In 1833 Albatera became part of the province of | | | | Just 6 km north of Albatera town is the Albatera |
| Alicante. From these early days the economy of | | | | Golf and Country Club - one of the best golf |
| the area was dependant almost entirely on | | | | courses in the area. Apart from golf, a range of |
| agriculture, irrigated by the waters of the Segura | | | | other activities are available including tennis, riding |
| river, and previously dry land was brought into | | | | and shooting. |
| use by the irrigation channels. Pig farming also | | | | Albatera has good Spanish schools and good |
| constituted a considerable part of the area's | | | | motorway access. Albatera can be easily reached |
| economy up until recent times, when industry and | | | | by motorway via exit 78 of the A-7. Albatera is |
| commerce became of equal importance to that | | | | a truly traditional Spanish town with good Spanish |
| of agriculture and farming. | | | | values and a simple way of life - the beating heart |
| The Albatera of today comprises wide, palm tree | | | | of the Vega Baja. |