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Seville

Sevilla-Travel-Guide-Travel-S-Helper

Seville, the capital and largest city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia, exemplifies Spain’s cultural heritage and contemporary vibrancy. Located on the lower parts of the River Guadalquivir in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, this amazing city boasts a municipal population of around 701,000 as of 2022, with its metropolitan area spanning almost 1.5 million residents. With this demographic power, Seville ranks as the fourth-largest city in Spain, the most populous municipality in the European Union, and the most populous city in Andalusia.

The strategic position of the city has been rather important in forming its history and character. Seville, which is tucked away roughly 80 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean, is Spain’s only river port; this fact has had a major impact on its cultural and economic growth throughout millennia. Running through the center of the city, the Guadalquivir River has been both a lifeline and a defining geographical feature helping to define Seville’s distinctive urban scene and historical significance as a marine gateway.

With roots in the Roman era when it was known as Herbalis, Seville’s rich fabric of history unfolds over millennia. With the Islamic takeover in 711 AD, the city’s story veered significantly and became Ishbiliyah. This era signaled the start of an architectural and cultural rebirth that would permanently change the nature of the city. Further underscoring its significance in the area, the fall of the Calcium of Córdoba in the early 11th century saw Seville rise as the headquarters of the independent Taifa of Seville.

Under the Almoravids and Almohads, Islamic rulers that shaped the city’s architectural and cultural scene, the fortunes of the city changed still. But a turning point in Seville’s history came in 1248 when it was included into the Crown of Castile, launching its Christian era and preparing the ground for its future part in Spain’s imperial ambitions.

As Seville grew the hub of transatlantic trade for the Spanish Empire, the 16th century promised a golden age for it. Managing Spain’s colonial trade, the Casa de Contratación helped Seville become among the biggest and most rich towns in Western Europe. Along with a cultural flowering, especially in the Baroque era of the 17th century, which marked the height of Seville’s intellectual and creative output, this period of economic development coincided with.

With its old town covering 4 square kilometers and three famous buildings—the Alcázar palace complex, a masterpiece of Mudéjar architecture; the Cathedral, one of the biggest of its kind in the world; and the General Archive of the Indies, a storehouse of priceless historical records—Seville’s urban fabric is a living museum. These buildings are permanent monuments of Seville’s architectural magnificence and historical relevance as well as tourism attractions.

The terrain and climate of the city have been rather important in forming its character and daily life. Hot summers in which daily maximum temperatures often rise above 35°C (95°F) in July and August define Seville’s Mediterranean climate with strong continental influences. From the architecture of the city, meant to offer relief from the heat, to its cultural customs such the siesta, this climatic characteristic has shaped everything.

Seville topographically covers 141 square kilometers (54 square miles) with an average elevation of 7 meters (23 feet) above sea level. The city’s rather level ground, broken by the winding Guadalquivir, has helped it to grow throughout millennia. Although most of the city is on the east bank of the river, some notable areas including Triana, La Cartuja, and Los Remedios have grown on the west side and each provide special character to Seville’s metropolitan mosaic.

Seville’s location on the same latitude as other important world sites gives an unusual viewpoint on its place on the planet. It parallels São Miguel in the Azores archipelago and San Jose on the United States west coast. It runs just south of Athens in the Mediterranean basin, matching Catania in Sicily. This worldwide setting emphasizes Seville’s cross-roads of cultures shaped by both its Mediterranean background and historical ties to the New World.

Seville has been a big travel destination in the modern era; in 2018 alone, about 2.5 million people visit there. Rich cultural attractions, well-preserved historical landmarks, and a dynamic modern scene in the city drive this travel explosion. Seville’s many attractions and the ongoing appeal of its cultural legacy help to explain why it keeps a very constant flow of visitors all year long unlike many seasonal locations.

With the highest GDP in Andalusia and a fifth of the whole economic output of southern Spain, Seville is a powerhouse economically. From its historical roots in agricultural and maritime trade, the city’s economy has developed to embrace a wide spectrum of sectors, with special focus on services and industry. Beyond the city proper, this economic vibrancy affects an expanding metropolitan area experiencing notable expansion in recent years.

Euro (€) (EUR)

Currency

8th-9th century BCE

Founded

/

Calling code

684,234

Population

140.8 km² (54.4 sq mi)

Area

Spanish

Official language

7 m (23 ft)

Elevation

CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2)

Time zone

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