Murcia

{{for|the Anglo-Saxon kingdom|Mercia}}

{{other uses}}

{{EngvarB|date=July 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Murcia

| settlement_type = Municipality

| official_name =

| native_name =

|image_skyline = {{multiple image

| perrow = 1/2/1/2

| border = infobox

| total_width = 280

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Sabado Santo Murcia 19-04-2014.jpg

| caption1 = Cathedral

| image2 = EdificioMoneoMurciaNoche (cropped).jpg

| caption2 = City hall (Moneo building)

| image3 = Castillo de Monteagudo.jpg

| caption3 = Monteagudo Castle

| image4 = El puente viejo - panoramio (1) edited.jpg

| caption4 = The Old Bridge

| image5 = Murcia UniversityCloister.jpg

| caption5 = University cloister

| image6 = Casa Cerdá.JPG

| caption6 = Casa Cerdá

}}

| image_flag = Flag of Murcia.svg

| image_shield = Escudo de Murcia.svg

| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=y|frame-width=285|frame-height=180|frame-align=center|frame-coordinates={{coord|39.5|N|3.7|W}}|zoom=4|type=point|title=Murcia|marker=city|type2=shape|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|text=Interactive map of Murcia.}}

|map_caption = Location of Murcia

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = Spain

| subdivision_type1 = Autonomous community

| subdivision_name1 = Region of Murcia

| seat_type =

| seat =

| coordinates = {{coord|37|59|10|N|1|7|49|W|region:ES_type:city|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_footnotes =

| elevation_m = 43

| elevation_min_m =

| elevation_max_m =

| area_footnotes =

| area_total_km2 = 881.86

| established_title = Founded

| established_date = 825 AD {{small|(by Abd ar-Rahman II)}}

| population_as_of = 2021

| population_footnotes = {{Spain metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}

| population_total = 460,349{{cite web |title=Murcia: Población por municipios y sexo. (2883) |url=https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Datos.htm?t=2883 |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=INE |language=es}}

| population_demonym = Murciano/a

| population_note =

| population_density_km2 = 547{{cite web |title=Atlas Estadístico de las Áreas Urbanas {{!}} Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana |url=https://www.mitma.gob.es/portal-del-suelo-y-politicas-urbanas/atlas-estadistico-de-las-areas-urbanas |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=www.mitma.gob.es |language=es}}

| population_urban = 672,773

| blank_name_sec1 = Official language(s)

| blank_info_sec1 =

| demographics_type2 = GDP

| demographics2_footnotes = {{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/met_10r_3gdp/default/table?lang=en|title=Gross domestic product (GDP) at current market prices by metropolitan regions|last=|first=|date=|website=ec.europa.eu|access-date=}}

| demographics2_title1 = Metro

| demographics2_info1 = €29.720 billion (2020)

| timezone = CET

| utc_offset = +1

| timezone_DST = CEST

| utc_offset_DST = +2

| postal_code_type = Postal code

| postal_code = 30001 to 30012

| area_code_type = Dialing code

| area_code = 968 / 868

| leader_title = Mayor

| leader_name = José Ballesta Germán (2023)

| leader_party = PP

| website = {{official website|http://www.murcia.es}}

| module =

| footnotes =

}}

Murcia ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ʊər|s|i|ə}}, {{IPAc-en|USalso|ˈ|m|ɜːr|ʃ|(|i|)|ə}};{{cite web |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/murcia |title=Murcia |work=Collins English Dictionary |publisher=HarperCollins |access-date=29 May 2019}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20160928091649/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/murcia "Murcia"] (US) and {{cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Murcia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182214/https://www.lexico.com/definition/murcia |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2020 |title=Murcia |dictionary=Lexico UK English Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University Press}}{{cite Merriam-Webster|Murcia|access-date=29 May 2019}} {{IPA|es-ES|ˈmuɾθja|lang|Pronunciation of Murcia in Spanish.ogg}}) is a city in south-eastern Spain,{{cite web|title=Tourism in Murcia. What to see. Tourist information {{!}} spain.info in English |url=https://www.spain.info/en/destination/murcia/ |access-date=17 January 2021 |website=Spain.info}} the capital and most populous city of the autonomous community of the Region of Murcia,{{cite web |date=2005 |title=Región de Murcia. Consejería de Sanidad|url=https://www.mscbs.gob.es/organizacion/sns/informeAnualSNS/docs/CCAA2005/murcia.pdf |access-date=17 January 2021 |language=es}} and the seventh largest city in the country. It had a population of 460,349 inhabitants in 2021{{cite web |title=Murcia: Población por municipios y sexo. (2883) |url=https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Datos.htm?t=2883 |access-date=12 August 2022 |website=INE |language=es}} (about one-third of the total population of the Region). The total population of the metropolitan area was 672,773 in 2020, covering an urban area of 1,230.9 km2. It is located on the Segura River, in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. It has a climate with hot summers, mild winters, and relatively low precipitation.

Murcia was founded by Abd ar-Rahman II, Emir of Cordoba, in 825 with the name Mursiyah ({{langx|ar|مرسية}}). It is now mainly a services city and a university town. Highlights for visitors include the Cathedral of Murcia and a number of baroque buildings, renowned local cuisine, Holy Week procession, works of art by the famous Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo, and the Fiestas de Primavera (Spring Festival).

The city, as the capital of the comarca Huerta de Murcia, is called "Europe's orchard" due to its long agricultural tradition and its fruit, vegetable, and flower production and exports.{{cite web|last=Riquelme Manzanera|first=Ángel Luis|date=1998|title=Declaración del espacio natural Huerta de Murcia|url=http://cangilon.regmurcia.com/revista/N16/N16-07.pdf|access-date=2020-12-23|website=Revista Cangilón – Región de Murcia Digital|pages=32, 33|language=es}}

History

{{Main|History of Murcia}}

{{see also|Timeline of Murcia}}

The territory has been inhabited by humans since prehistory. People also lived in the current municipality during the Bronze and Iron Ages. During the late Chalcolithic and the Bronze Age, the occupancy of part of the current municipality was performed by the Argaric people. During the late Bronze Age and the Iron Age, the people who inhabited the current municipality were the Iberians. A remarkable site is a religious building, whose name is the De la Luz Iberian Sanctuary.{{cite web |title=Concejalía de Medio Ambiente |url=http://urbanismo.murcia.es/medio-ambiente/medio-ambiente/noticias/noticias-06-07.asp |website=Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia}} There are traces of people presence during the Roman rule in the Iberian Peninsula era. A construction of the late Roman period in the Iberian Peninsula is a fortress, Castillo de los Garres, located in the south of the northern half of the municipality.{{Cite web|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,275,c,373,m,1871|title=Historia de Garres y Lages - Región de Murcia Digital|website=www.regmurcia.com}}

File:Monumento a Abderramán II en Murcia.jpg in Murcia]]

It is widely believed that Murcia's name is derived from the Latin word myrtea or murtea, meaning land of the myrtle (the plant is known to grow in the general area),{{cite web |last=González Blanco |first=Antonio |title=Las otras "Murcias" de España. Nuevos datos para el estudio de la significación del topónimo Murcia |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/docs/murgetana/N061/N061_001.pdf |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=Región de Murcia Digital |language=es}} although it may also be a derivation of the word Murtia, which would mean Murtius Village (Murtius was a common Roman name). Other research suggests that it may owe its name to the Latin Murtae (Mulberry), which covered the regional landscape for many centuries. The Latin name eventually changed into the Arabic Mursiya, and then, Murcia.

The city in its present location was founded with the name Madinat Mursiyah ({{Lang|ar|مدينة مرسية}} 'city of Murcia') in AD 825 by Abd ar-Rahman II, who was then the emir of Córdoba.{{cite web |url=http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,87,c,373,m,1871&r=ReP-7236-DETALLE_REPORTAJESPADRE |title=La invasión musulmana y el pacto de Teodomiro |work=Región de Murcia Digital |access-date=12 September 2018 |language=es |publisher=Fundación Integra}} Umayyad planners, taking advantage of the course of the river Segura, created an imaginative and complex network of irrigation channels that made the town's agricultural existence prosperous. In the 12th century the traveller and writer Muhammad al-Idrisi described the city of Murcia as populous and strongly fortified. After the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba in 1031, Murcia passed under the successive rules of the powers seated variously at Almería and Toledo, but finally became capital of its own kingdom with Ibn Tahir ({{lang|ar|أبو عبد الرحمن بن طاهر}}). After the fall of the Almoravide empire, Ibn Mardanis made Murcia the capital of a new independent kingdom. At this time, Murcia was a very prosperous city, famous for its ceramics, exported to Italian towns, as well as for silk and paper industries, the first in Europe. The coinage of Murcia was considered as model in all the continent.{{citation needed |date=August 2019}} The mystic Ibn Arabi (1165–1240){{cite news |url=http://www.wdl.org/en/item/7437/ |title=The Meccan Revelations |work=World Digital Library |year=1900–1999 |access-date=14 July 2013 |publisher=Library of Congress |agency=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization}} and the poet Ibn al-Jinan (d.1214) were born in Murcia during this period.

File:San_esteban.jpg

In 1172 Murcia was conquered by the north African Almohades, the last Muslim empire to rule southern Spain, and as the forces of the Christian Reconquista gained the upper hand, was the capital of a small Muslim emirate from 1223 to 1243. By the treaty of Alcaraz, in 1243, the Christian king Ferdinand III of Castile made Murcia a protectorate, getting access to the Mediterranean sea while Murcia was protected against Granada and Aragon. The Christian population of the town became the majority as immigrants poured in from almost all parts of the Iberian Peninsula, with Muslims confined to the suburb of Arrixaca. Christian immigration was encouraged with the goal of establishing a loyal Christian base. These measures led to the Muslim popular revolt in 1264, which was quelled by James I of Aragon in 1266, conquering Murcia and bringing Aragonese and Catalan immigrants with him.

File:EntradadeJaimeIenMurcia.jpg at Murcia in 1266]]

After this, during the reign of Alfonso X of Castile, Murcia was one of his capitals with Toledo and Seville.

The Murcian duality: Catalan population in a Castillian territory, brought the subsequent conquest of the city by James II of Aragon in 1296. In 1304, Murcia was finally incorporated into Castile under the Treaty of Torrellas.{{cite web |url=http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,87,c,373,m,1871&r=ReP-7239-DETALLE_REPORTAJESPADRE |title=La Reconquista de Murcia |work=Región de Murcia Digital |language=es |access-date=15 September 2018 |publisher=Fundación Integra}}

File:Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, Murcia.jpg completed in 1465, with facade and tower from 18th century]]

Murcia's prosperity declined as the Mediterranean lost trade to the ocean routes and from the wars between the Christians and the Ottoman Empire. The old prosperity of Murcia became crises during 14th century because of its border location with the neighbouring Muslim kingdom of Granada, but flourished after its conquest in 1492 and again in the 18th century, benefiting greatly from a boom in the silk industry. Most of the modern city's landmark churches, monuments and old architecture date from this period. In this century, Murcia lived an important role in Bourbon victory in the War of the Spanish Succession, thanks to Cardinal Belluga. In 1810, Murcia was looted by Napoleonic troops; it then suffered a major earthquake in 1829. According to contemporaneous accounts, an estimated 6,000 people died from the disaster's effects across the province. Plague and cholera followed.

File:Huertos del malecon.jpg

The town and surrounding area suffered badly from floods in 1651, 1879, 1946 and 1948, though the construction of a levee helped to stave off the repeated floods from the Segura.{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Historia de Murcia- Edad Moderna – Región de Murcia Digital |url=http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,87,c,373,m,1871&r=ReP-7242-DETALLE_REPORTAJESPADRE |access-date=2020-09-15 |website= |language=es}}{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Historia de Murcia- Edad Contemporánea – Región de Murcia Digital |url=http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,87,c,373,m,1871&r=ReP-7244-DETALLE_REPORTAJESPADRE |access-date=2020-09-15 |website= |language=es}} A popular pedestrian walkway, the Malecon, runs along the top of the levee.{{cite web |title=Paseo del Malecón – Región de Murcia Digital |url=http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=c,522,m,168&r=CeAP-670-PORTADA_CENTRO_AMPLIADO |access-date=2020-09-15 |language=es}}

Murcia has been the capital of the province of Murcia since 1833{{cite web |title=Siglo XIX – Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia |trans-title=19th century – Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia |url=https://www.murcia.es/web/portal/siglo-xix |access-date=2020-09-15 |language=es}}{{cite web |title=La nueva organización territorial – Región de Murcia Digital |url=http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=c,373,m,1915&r=ReP-25267-DETALLE_REPORTAJES |access-date=2020-09-15 |language=es}} and, with its creation by the central government in 1982, capital of the autonomous community (which includes only the city and the province). Since then, it has become the seventh most populated municipality in Spain, and a thriving services city.

The 5.1 {{M|w|link=y}} Lorca earthquake shook the Region of Murcia with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII ('Very strong') on 11 May 2011. Nine people were killed and over 400 were injured.{{Cite journal |last1=Alfaro |first1=P. |last2=Delgado |first2=J. |last3=García-Tortosa |first3=F. J. |last4=Lenti |first4=L. |last5=López |first5=J. A. |last6=López-Casado |first6=C. |last7=Martino |first7=S. |date=2012-06-01 |title=Widespread landslides induced by the Mw 5.1 earthquake of 11 May 2011 in Lorca, SE Spain |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S001379521200141X |journal=Engineering Geology |volume=137-138 |pages=40–52 |doi=10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.04.002 |issn=0013-7952|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite web |date=2020-11-18 |title=CATDAT Damaging Earthquakes Database 2011 - Annual Review |url=https://earthquake-report.com/2012/01/09/catdat-damaging-earthquakes-database-2011-annual-review/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118100459/https://earthquake-report.com/2012/01/09/catdat-damaging-earthquakes-database-2011-annual-review/ |archive-date=18 November 2020 }}

Geography

Murcia is located near the center of a low-lying fertile plain known as the huerta (orchard or vineyard) of Murcia. The Segura River and its right-hand tributary, the Guadalentín, run through the area. The city has an elevation of {{convert|43|m|0}} above sea level and its municipality covers approximately {{convert|882|km2|sqmi|0}}.{{cite web|title=CREM – Datos Municipales Murcia – 1. Distribución de la superficie, extensión, distancia a la capital y altitud.|url=https://econet.carm.es/web/crem/inicio/-/crem/sicrem/PU_MurciaCifrasNEW/P8001/sec2.html|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Portal Estadístico de la Región de Murcia – CREM|language=es}}

The best known and most dominant aspect of the municipal area's landscape is the orchard.{{cite web|title=La Huerta de Murcia. Un singular paisaje formado con la ayuda del ser humano|url=https://www.murcia.es/medio-ambiente/medio-ambiente/material/10Huerta.pdf|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia|language=es}} In addition to the orchard and urban zones, the great expanse of the municipal area is made up of different landscapes: badlands, groves of Carrasco pine trees in the precoastal mountain ranges and, towards the south, a semi-steppe region. A large natural park, the Parque Regional de Carrascoy y el Valle, lies just to the south of the city.{{cite web|title=El Valle y Carrascoy – Región de Murcia Digital|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=c,365,m,1039&r=ReP-3301-DETALLE_REPORTAJESPADRE|access-date=2021-01-18|language=es}}

=Segura River=

The Segura River crosses an alluvial plain (Vega Media del Segura), part of a Mediterranean pluvial system. The river crosses the city from west to east. Its volumetric flow is mostly small but the river is known to produce occasional flooding, like the times when the capital was inundated, in 1946, 1948, 1973 and 1989.{{cite web|title=Río Segura – Mapa Político – Región de Murcia Digital|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=c,365,m,1454&r=ReP-2250-DETALLE_REPORTAJESABUELO|access-date=2020-12-23|language=es}}{{cite web|title=Cronologia de riadas en la cuenca del Segura|url=https://www.chsegura.es/es/confederacion/unpocodehistoria/cronologia-de-riadas-en-la-cuenca-del-Segura/|access-date=2020-12-23|language=es}}

File:Murcia1 tango7174.jpg

=Mountains and hills=

The Segura river's Valley is surrounded by two mountain ranges, the hills of Guadalupe, Espinardo, Cabezo de Torres, Esparragal and Monteagudo in the north and the Cordillera Sur in the south. The municipality itself is divided into southern and northern zones by a series of mountain ranges, the aforementioned Cordillera Sur (Carrascoy, El Puerto, Villares, Columbares,{{cite web|title=Sierra de Columbares: una atalaya en el paisaje lunar|url=https://www.murcia.es/medio-ambiente/medio-ambiente/material/columbares.pdf|access-date=2020-12-23|website=Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia}} Altaona, and Escalona{{cite web|title=Los espacios naturales|url=https://www.murcia.es/medio-ambiente/medio-ambiente/estado/material/Espacios_Naturales_1.pdf|access-date=2020-12-23|website=Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia|pages=1, 3}}).{{Cite book|title=Atlas global de la Región de Murcia|year=2007|page=491|language=es}}{{cite web|title=Población – Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia|url=https://www.murcia.es/web/portal/poblacion|access-date=2020-12-23}} These two zones are known as Field of Murcia (in the south of Cordillera Sur) and Orchard of Murcia (the Segura Valley in the north of Cordillera Sur). Near the plain's center, the steep hill of Monteagudo protrudes dramatically.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Cristo de Monteagudo : Web oficial turismo Región de Murcia|url=https://www.murciaturistica.es/es/monumento/cristo-de-monteagudo-5423/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=|language=es}}

=Districts=

{{main|Districts of Murcia}}

File:Municipio de Murcia2.png

The {{convert|881.86|km2|sqmi|2|adj=on}} territory of Murcia's municipality is made up of 54 pedanías (suburban districts) and 28 barrios (city neighbourhood districts).{{cite web |url=https://www.murcia.es/web/portal/pedanias |title=Pedanías |work=Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia |language=es |access-date=15 September 2018 |publisher=Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio}} The barrios make up the {{convert|12.86|km2|sqmi|2|adj=on}} the main urban portion of the city. The historic city center is approximately {{convert|3|km2|sqmi|0}} of the urbanised downtown portion of Murcia.

{{div col}}

class="wikitable"
District

!Population (2021){{cite web |url=https://www.ine.es/nomen2/index.do |title=Nomenclátor o Población del Padrón Continuo por unidad poblacional |work=Instituto Nacional de Estadística |access-date=13 August 2022 |language=es}}

La Albatalía

|2,122

La Alberca

|12,998

Algezares

|5,717

Aljucer

|7,761

Alquerías

|6,286

La Arboleja

|2,111

Baños y Mendigo

|847

Barqueros

|1,040

Beniaján

|11,373

Cabezo de Torres

|13,560

Cañada Hermosa

|189

Cañadas de San Pedro

|371

Carrascoy

|104

Casillas

|4,995

Churra

|8,731

Cobatillas

|2,701

Corvera

|2,808

Los Dolores

|5,189

Era Alta

|3,251

El Esparragal

|7,920

Garres y Lages

|7,673

Gea y Truyols

|1,251

Guadalupe

|7,344

Javalí Nuevo

|3,223

Javalí Viejo

|2,292

Jerónimo y Avileses y Balsicas de Arriba

|1,787

Lobosillo

|1,893

Llano de Brujas

|5,639

class="wikitable"
Los Martínez del Puerto

|810

Monteagudo

|4,036

Nonduermas

|2,496

La Ñora

|5,099

El Palmar

|24,163

Puebla de Soto

|1,836

Puente Tocinos

|16,811

El Puntal

|7,201

El Raal

|6,385

Los Ramos

|3,473

La Raya

|2,255

Rincón Beniscornia

|980

Rincón de Seca

|2,251

San Benito

|14,609

San Ginés

|2,798

San José de la Vega

|5,019

Sangonera la Seca

|5,773

Sangonera la Verde

|12,040

Santa Cruz

|2,633

Santiago y Zaraiche

|11,044

Santo Ángel

|6,374

Sucina

|2,314

Torreagüera

|9,305

Valladolises y Lo Jurado

|790

Zarandona

|7,020

Zeneta

|1,847

Murcia (town centre)

|169,631

Total

|460,349

{{div col end}}

=Climate=

Murcia has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh).{{cite journal |author1=M. Kottek |author2=J. Grieser |author3=C. Beck |author4=B. Rudolf |author5=F. Rubel |title=World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated |journal=Meteorol. Z. |volume=15 |pages=259–263 |url=http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/pics/kottek_et_al_2006.gif|doi=10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130 |access-date=22 April 2009 |year=2006 |issue=3 |bibcode=2006MetZe..15..259K}} It has mild winters and very hot summers because of its inland location. It averages more than 320 days with sun per year.{{cite web|url=https://science-train.com/w/Murcia/Geography%20And%20Climate.html|title=Murcia – Geography And Climate {{!}} The English knowledge database |website=Science-train.com |access-date=21 February 2018}} Occasionally, Murcia has heavy, torrential rain.{{cite web|url=https://www.laverdad.es/temas/generales/temporal-en-la-region-de-murcia.html|title = Temporal en la Región de Murcia|publisher=Laverdad.es|date = 28 October 2021|language=es}}

In the coldest month, January, the average temperature range is a high of {{convert|17.2|°C|0|abbr=on}} during the day and a low of {{convert|5.3|°C|0|abbr=on}} at night. Night frost occurs in most winters, but snow is very rare. Snow fell and accumulated in Murcia during the 20th century eight times, in 1910, 1914, 1926, 1942, 1951, 1957, 1971 and 1983, and twice in the 21st century in 2017 and 2021.{{cite web|url=https://murciaplaza.com/la-nieve-que-trajo-la-fuensanta-y-que-a-la-fuensanta-convirtio-en-patrona?amp=1|title=La nieve que trajo La Fuensanta (y que a La Fuensanta convirtió en patrona)|publisher=Murciaplaza.net|date=14 January 2021|accessdate=14 July 2023|language=es}}{{cite web|url=https://blogs.laverdad.es/lamurciaquenovemos/2018/02/03/las-nevadas-de-la-fin-del-mundo/|author=Antonio Botías|title=Las nevadas «de la fin del mundo|publisher=Laverdad.es|date=3 February 2018|accessdate=14 July 2023|language=es}} In the warmest month, August, the range goes from {{convert|34.5|°C|0|abbr=on}} during the day to {{convert|21.8|°C|0|abbr=on}} at night. Temperatures almost always reach or exceed {{convert|40|°C|0|abbr=on}} on at least one or two days per year. The official record for Murcia stands at {{convert|46.2|C|F|1|}} and at Alcantarilla airport in the western suburbs on 4 July 1994 with {{convert|47.0|C|F|1|}}.{{Weather box

| width = 100%

| location = Murcia (1991–2020), extremes (1984–)

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| Jan record high C = 28.7

| Feb record high C = 29.4

| Mar record high C = 33.6

| Apr record high C = 37.4

| May record high C = 41.0

| Jun record high C = 42.5

| Jul record high C = 45.7

| Aug record high C = 46.2

| Sep record high C = 44.6

| Oct record high C = 35.5

| Nov record high C = 31.0

| Dec record high C = 27.2

| year record high C =

| Jan high C = 17.2

| Feb high C = 18.5

| Mar high C = 21.1

| Apr high C = 23.6

| May high C = 27.2

| Jun high C = 31.5

| Jul high C = 34.3

| Aug high C = 34.5

| Sep high C = 30.5

| Oct high C = 26.1

| Nov high C = 20.7

| Dec high C = 17.6

| year high C =

| Jan mean C = 11.3

| Feb mean C = 12.4

| Mar mean C = 14.8

| Apr mean C = 17.2

| May mean C = 20.7

| Jun mean C = 24.9

| Jul mean C = 27.8

| Aug mean C = 28.1

| Sep mean C = 24.6

| Oct mean C = 20.3

| Nov mean C = 15.0

| Dec mean C = 12.0

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = 5.3

| Feb low C = 6.3

| Mar low C = 8.4

| Apr low C = 10.7

| May low C = 14.2

| Jun low C = 18.2

| Jul low C = 21.2

| Aug low C = 21.8

| Sep low C = 18.6

| Oct low C = 14.6

| Nov low C = 9.4

| Dec low C = 6.3

| year low C =

| Jan record low C = -7.5

| Feb record low C = -3.9

| Mar record low C = -2.4

| Apr record low C = 0.0

| May record low C = 4.0

| Jun record low C = 8.0

| Jul record low C = 13.0

| Aug record low C = 14.0

| Sep record low C = 9.6

| Oct record low C = 4.4

| Nov record low C = -1.0

| Dec record low C = -6.0

| year record low C =

| Jan precipitation mm = 26.7

| Feb precipitation mm = 18.9

| Mar precipitation mm = 30.3

| Apr precipitation mm = 29.5

| May precipitation mm = 20.5

| Jun precipitation mm = 16.5

| Jul precipitation mm = 1.2

| Aug precipitation mm = 11.9

| Sep precipitation mm = 37.6

| Oct precipitation mm = 27.3

| Nov precipitation mm = 29.0

| Dec precipitation mm = 32.5

| year precipitation mm =

| precipitation color = green

| Jan snow days =0.1

| Feb snow days =0

| Mar snow days =0

| Apr snow days =0

| May snow days =0

| Jun snow days =0

| Jul snow days =0

| Aug snow days =0

| Sep snow days =0

| Oct snow days =0

| Nov snow days =0

| Dec snow days =0

| year snow days =

| Jan precipitation days = 3.2

| Feb precipitation days = 3.1

| Mar precipitation days = 3.5

| Apr precipitation days = 3.8

| May precipitation days = 3.0

| Jun precipitation days = 1.8

| Jul precipitation days = 0.3

| Aug precipitation days = 1.3

| Sep precipitation days = 3.0

| Oct precipitation days = 3.8

| Nov precipitation days = 4.0

| Dec precipitation days = 3.2

| year precipitation days =

| unit precipitation days = 1 mm

| Jan humidity = 63

| Feb humidity = 60

| Mar humidity = 57

| Apr humidity = 53

| May humidity = 50

| Jun humidity = 48

| Jul humidity = 49

| Aug humidity = 53

| Sep humidity = 59

| Oct humidity = 63

| Nov humidity = 64

| Dec humidity = 66

| year humidity =

| Jan sun = 198

| Feb sun = 198

| Mar sun = 229

| Apr sun = 261

| May sun = 310

| Jun sun = 342

| Jul sun = 366

| Aug sun = 326

| Sep sun = 249

| Oct sun = 226

| Nov sun = 192

| Dec sun = 180

| year sun =

| Jan percentsun = 65

| Feb percentsun = 65

| Mar percentsun = 62

| Apr percentsun = 66

| May percentsun = 70

| Jun percentsun = 77

| Jul percentsun = 81

| Aug percentsun = 78

| Sep percentsun = 67

| Oct percentsun = 65

| Nov percentsun = 63

| Dec percentsun = 60

| year percentsun =

| source 1 = Agencia Estatal de Meteorología{{cite web |title=AEMET OpenData |url=https://www.aemet.es/es/datos_abiertos/AEMET_OpenData |publisher=AEMET |access-date=1 December 2024}}{{cite web |title=Extreme values in Murcia |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/efemerides_extremos*?w=0&k=mur&l=7178I&datos=det&x=7178I&m=13&v=todos |publisher=AEMET |access-date=21 February 2021}}

| source =

}}{{Weather box

| location = Alcantarilla Base Area, 1991-2020 normals, 1940-present extremes, 75m

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| Jan record high C = 28.2

| Feb record high C = 29.0

| Mar record high C = 33.3

| Apr record high C = 36.6

| May record high C = 42.5

| Jun record high C = 44.0

| Jul record high C = 46.1

| Aug record high C = 47.0

| Sep record high C = 43.6

| Oct record high C = 36.0

| Nov record high C = 31.0

| Dec record high C = 27.0

| year record high C =

| Jan high C = 16.8

| Feb high C = 18.2

| Mar high C = 21.0

| Apr high C = 23.5

| May high C = 27.1

| Jun high C = 31.5

| Jul high C = 34.4

| Aug high C = 34.5

| Sep high C = 30.4

| Oct high C = 25.9

| Nov high C = 20.3

| Dec high C = 17.1

| year high C =

| Jan mean C = 10.5

| Feb mean C = 11.8

| Mar mean C = 14.2

| Apr mean C = 16.6

| May mean C = 20.2

| Jun mean C = 24.4

| Jul mean C = 27.4

| Aug mean C = 27.7

| Sep mean C = 24.1

| Oct mean C = 19.7

| Nov mean C = 14.4

| Dec mean C = 11.2

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = 4.2

| Feb low C = 5.4

| Mar low C = 7.4

| Apr low C = 9.8

| May low C = 13.3

| Jun low C = 17.3

| Jul low C = 20.4

| Aug low C = 21.0

| Sep low C = 17.7

| Oct low C = 13.6

| Nov low C = 8.4

| Dec low C = 5.2

| year low C =

| Jan record low C = −5.0

| Feb record low C = −5.0

| Mar record low C = −4.2

| Apr record low C = −0.2

| May record low C = 3.6

| Jun record low C = 9.0

| Jul record low C = 12.2

| Aug record low C = 8.6

| Sep record low C = 7.4

| Oct record low C = 1.0

| Nov record low C = −2.6

| Dec record low C = −6.0

| year record low C =

| Jan precipitation mm = 29.7

| Feb precipitation mm = 21.0

| Mar precipitation mm = 31.8

| Apr precipitation mm = 26.7

| May precipitation mm = 21.1

| Jun precipitation mm = 16.2

| Jul precipitation mm = 1.9

| Aug precipitation mm = 10.9

| Sep precipitation mm = 40.2

| Oct precipitation mm = 26.7

| Nov precipitation mm = 31.1

| Dec precipitation mm = 31.8

| year precipitation mm =

| precipitation color = green

| Jan humidity = 64

| Feb humidity = 60

| Mar humidity = 57

| Apr humidity = 53

| May humidity = 49

| Jun humidity = 46

| Jul humidity = 48

| Aug humidity = 51

| Sep humidity = 58

| Oct humidity = 63

| Nov humidity = 65

| Dec humidity = 67

| year humidity =

| Jan precipitation days = 3.2

| Feb precipitation days = 3.0

| Mar precipitation days = 3.5

| Apr precipitation days = 3.3

| May precipitation days = 3.0

| Jun precipitation days = 1.7

| Jul precipitation days = 0.6

| Aug precipitation days = 1.2

| Sep precipitation days = 3.0

| Oct precipitation days = 3.7

| Nov precipitation days = 3.7

| Dec precipitation days = 3.2

| year precipitation days =

| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

| Jan sun = 192

| Feb sun = 192

| Mar sun = 217

| Apr sun = 255

| May sun = 298

| Jun sun = 333

| Jul sun = 356

| Aug sun = 319

| Sep sun = 237

| Oct sun = 217

| Nov sun = 186

| Dec sun = 177

| year sun =

| Jan percentsun = 63

| Feb percentsun = 63

| Mar percentsun = 59

| Apr percentsun = 65

| May percentsun = 68

| Jun percentsun = 76

| Jul percentsun = 79

| Aug percentsun = 76

| Sep percentsun = 64

| Oct percentsun = 62

| Nov percentsun = 61

| Dec percentsun = 59

| year percentsun =

| source 1 = Agencia Estatal de Meteorología{{cite web |title=AEMET OpenData |url=https://www.aemet.es/es/datos_abiertos/AEMET_OpenData |publisher=AEMET |access-date=1 December 2024}}{{cite web |title=Extreme values in Alcantarilla, Base Aérea |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/efemerides_extremos*?w=0&k=mur&l=7228&datos=det&x=7228&m=13&v=todos |publisher=AEMET |access-date=21 February 2021}}

| source =

}}

Demographics

File:Ayuntamientodemurcia.JPG

{{Historical populations|1842|82517|1857|89314|1877|91509|1887|98507|1900|111693|1910|125243|1920|142480|1930|159825|1940|195658|1950|217934|1960|249771|1970|243687|1981|284585|1991|328100|2001|370745|2011|437667|2021|459778|source=INE{{cite web|title=INEbase. Alterations to the municipalities in the Population Censuses since 1842|url=https://www.ine.es/intercensal/inicio.do|publisher=National Statistics Institute|language=es}}}}Murcia has 474,834 inhabitants (INE 2024) making it the seventh-largest Spanish municipality by population. When adding in the municipalities of Alcantarilla, Alguazas, Beniel, Molina de Segura, Santomera, and Las Torres de Cotillas, the metropolitan area has 672,773 inhabitants making it the twelfth most populous metropolitan area in Spain. Nevertheless, due to Murcia's large municipal territory, its population density (547 inhabitants/km2, 760 hab./sq.mi.) does not likewise rank among Spain's highest.

According to the official population data of the INE, 13.2% of the population of the municipality reported belonging to a foreign nationality – 3.19% from other countries of Europe, 4,71% Africans, 4,13% Americans and 0.62% Asians {{as of|2024|lc=y}}.{{cite web |title=CREM – Datos Municipales Murcia – 5. Evolución de la población según nacionalidad. |url=https://econet.carm.es/web/crem/inicio/-/crem/sicrem/PU_MurciaCifrasNEW/P8002/sec6.html |access-date=2020-12-23 |website=Portal Estadísitco de la Región de Murcia – CREM |language=es}}

The majority of the population identify as Christian. There is also a big atheist community.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Murcia is one of the communities with the largest Romani population in Spain.{{cite web|url=https://www.laverdad.es/murcia/201612/14/casi-mitad-gitanos-region-20161214011013-v.html|title = Casi la mitad de los 30.000 gitanos de la Región sufren situación de hacinamiento|date = 14 December 2016}}

The table below shows the population trends of the municipality from the late 19th century to the 21st century by the beginning of their decades.{{cite web|title=INEbase. Alterations to the municipalities|url=https://www.ine.es/intercensal/intercensal.do;jsessionid=A11AD44688BF11E520263086E86A1106.intercensal01?search=1&error1=Please+enter+a+municipal+area+to+search.&error2=Please+enter+at+least+3+characters.&cmbTipoBusq=0&textoMunicipio=Murcia&btnBuscarDenom=Submit+selection|access-date=2020-12-23}}

Main sights

File:Arcoarabedesantaclara.jpg in the 13th century.{{cite book |title=Secrets of Pinar's Game (2 vols): Court Ladies and Courtly Verse in Fifteenth-Century Spain |last=Boase |first=Roger |date=2017 |publisher=BRILL |page=755}}]]

The Cathedral of Murcia was built between 1394 and 1465 in the Castilian Gothic style. Its tower was completed in 1792 and shows a blend of architectural styles. The first two stories were built in the Renaissance style (1521–1546), while the third is Baroque. The bell pavilion exhibits both Rococo and Neoclassical influences. The main façade (1736–1754) is considered a masterpiece of the Spanish Baroque style.{{cite web |url=http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=c,522,m,162&r=CeAP-3997-R_105_DETALLE_REPORTAJES |title=Iglesia Catedral de Santa María-Historia – Región de Murcia Digital|language=es |access-date=12 September 2018}}

File:Calle Trapería-Santo Domingo.JPG

File:Elpuenteviejo.JPG]]

Other buildings in the square shared by the cathedral (Plaza Cardinal Belluga) are the colorful 'Bishop's Palace' (18th century) and a controversial extension to the town hall by Rafael Moneo (built in 1999).{{cite web |title=Plaza del cardenal Belluga – Región de Murcia Digital |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=c,522,m,168&r=CeAP-2332-C_680_DETALLE_CENTRO |access-date=2021-01-16 |language=es}}

The Glorieta, which lies on the banks of the Segura River, has traditionally been the center of the town. It is a landscaped city square that was constructed during the 18th century.{{cite web |title=Glorieta de España – Región de Murcia Digital |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,87,c,522,m,1075&r=CeAP-2335-C_686_DETALLE_CENTRO |access-date=2021-01-16 |language=es}} The ayuntamiento (city hall) of Murcia is located in this square.{{cite web |title=Ayuntamiento o Casa Conssitorial de Murcia – Región de Murcia Digital |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,87,c,522,m,1075&r=CeAP-900-PORTADA_CENTRO_AMPLIADO |access-date=2021-01-16 |language=es}}{{cite web |title=Ayuntamiento : Web oficial turismo Región de Murcia |url=https://www.murciaturistica.es/es/monumento/ayuntamiento-de-murcia-5424/ |access-date=2020-01-16|language=es}}

Pedestrian areas cover most of the old town of the city, which is centered around Platería and Trapería Streets. Trapería goes from the cathedral to the Plaza de Santo Domingo, formerly a bustling market square. Located in Trapería is the Casino, a social club erected in 1847, with a sumptuous interior that includes a Moorish-style patio inspired by the royal chambers of the Alhambra near Granada. The name Platería refers to plata (silver), as this street was the historical focus for the commerce of rare metals by Murcia's Jewish community. The other street, Trapería, refers to trapos, or cloths, as this was once the focus for the Jewish community's garment trade.

Several bridges of different styles span the river Segura, from the Puente de los Peligros, an 18th-century stone bridge with a Lady chapel on one of its sides;{{Cite news |date=2020-02-06 |title=El puente de Los Peligros de Murcia, declarado Bien de Interés Cultural |language=es |work=La Opinión de Murcia |url=https://www.laopiniondemurcia.es/murcia/2020/02/06/puente-peligros-murcia-declarado-interes/1089030.html |access-date=2021-01-16}} to modern bridges designed by Santiago Calatrava or Javier Manterola; through others such as the Puente Nuevo (new bridge), an iron bridge of the early 20th century.{{cite web |date=2021-01-16 |title=Puente de Hierro |url=http://www.patrimur.es/documents/1806272/1815032/puentedehierro.pdf/e10caed5-25a2-4207-9852-79b781e36b3e |access-date=2021-01-16 |website=Patrimonio Cultural de la Región de Murcia |language=es}}

{{clear left}}

File:Castillo de Monteagudo.jpg

Other places around Murcia include:{{cite web |url=http://www.turismodemurcia.es/es/monumentos |title=Monumentos y lugares |language=es |access-date=12 September 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.murcia.es/web/portal/museos-y-monumentos |title=Museos – Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia |language=es |access-date=15 September 2018}}

  • Santa Clara monastery, a Gothic and Baroque monument{{cite web |title=Monasterio de Sta. Clara- Arquitectura – Región de Murcia Digital |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=c,522,m,162&r=CeAP-5318-R_250_DETALLE_REPORTAJES |access-date=2021-01-16}} where a museum with the Moorish palace's remains from the 13th century is locared,{{cite web |last=Murcia |first=Instituto de Turismo de la Región de |title=Museo de Santa Clara: Official Murcia Region tourist site |url=https://www.murciaturistica.es/en/museum/museo-de-santa-clara-102/ |access-date=2021-01-16 |website=murciaturistica.es}} called Alcázar Seguir.{{cite web |title=Ibn Hud y el protectorado castellano – Región de Murcia Digital |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=c,373,m,3029&r=ReP-20677-DETALLE_REPORTAJES |access-date=2021-01-16 |language=es}}
  • The Malecón boulevard, a former retaining wall for the Río Segura's floods.{{cite web |title=Paseo del Malecón – Región de Murcia Digital |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=c,522,m,202&r=CeAP-2322-C_670_DETALLE_CENTRO |access-date=2021-01-17 |language=es}}
  • Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta, Algezares (1694), 17th century sanctuary and adjacent El Valle regional park: The construction began in 1694 and its architectural style is baroque with Murcian regional features.{{cite web |title=Santuario Ntra. Sra De La Fuensanta Murcia – Historia y Personajes |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=c,522,m,162&r=CeAP-5260-R_315_DETALLE_REPORTAJES |access-date=3 September 2020 |website=Región de Murcia Digital |language=es}}{{cite web |title=Santuario Ntra. Sra. de la Fuensanta: Web Oficial Turismo Región de Murcia |url=https://www.murciaturistica.es/es/monumento/santuario-ntra.-sra.-de-la-fuensanta-335/ |access-date=3 September 2020 |language=es}}
  • Los Jerónimos monastery (18th century). It was built during the first half of the century and is located in Guadalupe district, in the northwest quadrant of Murcia.{{cite web |title=Historia de Guadalupe – Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia |url=https://www.murcia.es/web/portal/historia23 |access-date=3 September 2020 |language=es}}
  • Romea theatre (19th century). It was opened up by the queen Isabella II of Spain in 1862. Its façade has three bodies or levels.{{cite web |title=Teatro Romea – Región de Murcia Digital |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,0,c,0,m,0&r=CeP-1303-DETALLE_CENTRO |access-date=3 September 2020 |language=es}}
  • [http://www.teatrocircomurcia.es/ Circo] theatre.
  • Almudí Palace (17th century), art gallery in a historic building with coats of arms on its façade.{{cite web |title=Palacio Almudí – Región de Murcia Digital |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,87,c,371,m,1215&r=CeP-2256-DETALLE_CENTRO|access-date=2021-01-16 |language=es}} On its interior there are Tuscan columns, and since 1985 it hosts the city archives and periodic art exhibitions.{{cite web|title=Palacio del Almudí: Web oficial turismo Región de Murcia |url=https://www.murciaturistica.es/es/monumento/palacio-del-almudi-328/ |access-date=2021-01-16 |language=es}}
  • Monteagudo Castle (11th century): in the district with the same name, in the north of the municipality.{{cite web |title=Monteagudo – Región de Murcia Digital |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,153 |access-date=3 September 2020 |language=es}}
  • Salzillo Museum, showcases the art of 18th-century baroque sculptor and Murcia native Francisco Salzillo.{{cite web |last=Murcia |first=Instituto de Turismo de la Región |title=Salzillo Museum: Official Murcia Region tourist site |url=https://www.murciaturistica.es/en/museum/museo-salzillo-45/ |access-date=2021-01-17 |website=murciaturistica.es}}
  • [http://www.centroparraga.es/ Centro Párraga], contemporary arts centre located in one of the pavilions of the old Artillery Headquarters of Murcia. It houses multiple exhibitions, performances and concerts throughout the year.
  • Archaeological Museum of Murcia (MAM). It covers the rich Prehistory and History of Murcia, from the Palaeolithic to the Christian and Visigoth Period.{{cite web|title=Museo Arqueológico de Murcia│Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte. Gobierno de España|url=https://www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/cultura/areas/museos/mc/arquitectura-museos/museos-gestion-transferida/murcia/Museo-Arqueol-gico-de-Murcia0.html|access-date=2021-01-15|language=es}}
  • San Juan de Dios church-museum, Baroque and Rococo circular church with the remains of the Moorish palace mosque from the 12th century in the basement, called Alcázar Nasir.

In the metropolitan area are also the Azud de la Contraparada reservoir and the Noria de La Ñora water wheel.

Festivals

=Holy Week=

The Holy Week procession hosted by the city is among the most famous throughout Spain. This traditional festival portrays the events which lead up to and include the Crucifixion according to the New Testament. Life-sized, finely detailed sculptures by Francisco Salzillo (1707–1783) are removed from their museums and carried around the city in elegant processions amid flowers and, at night, candles, pausing at stations which are meant to re-enact the final moments before the crucifixion of Jesus.{{cite web|url=http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,87|title=Murcia – Región de Murcia Digital|language=es|access-date=22 September 2018}}

=Easter fiestas=

The most colorful festival in Murcia may come one week after Holy Week, when locals dress up in traditional huertano clothing to celebrate the {{ill|Bando de la Huerta|es}} (Orchard parade) on Tuesday and fill the streets for The Burial of the Sardine in Murcia. parade the following Saturday. This whole week receives the name of {{ill|Fiestas de Primavera de Murcia|es}} (Spring Fest).{{cite web|url=http://www.murcia.es/cultura/multiple.aspx?nm=FIESTAS&ns=Fiestas%20de%20Primavera&sub=88&id=1&nmenu=4|title=Concejalía de Cultura|language=es|access-date=22 September 2018|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040342/http://www.murcia.es/cultura/multiple.aspx?nm=FIESTAS&ns=Fiestas%20de%20Primavera&sub=88&id=1&nmenu=4|url-status=dead}}

=Three Cultures International Festival=

Murcia's Three Cultures International Festival happens each May and was first organised with the intent of overcoming racism and xenophobia in the culture. The festival seeks to foster understanding and reconciliation between the three cultures that have cohabited the peninsula for centuries, if not millennia: Christians, Jews and Muslims. Each year, the festival celebrates these three cultures through music, exhibitions, symposiums and conferences.{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=73893 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722034343/http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=73893 |url-status=dead|archive-date=22 July 2011 |title=Murcia Three Cultures International Festival | Murcia, Spain |publisher=Whatsonwhen |access-date=10 April 2011}}

= Festivities in the districts =

Sundry festivities are held throughout the municipality and districts and patron saint festivities are included each part. Month where some occur are June and September.{{cite web|title=Fiestas de Churra- Fiestas Patronales – Región de Murcia Digital|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,176,c,369,m,1218&r=ReP-11289-DETALLE_REPORTAJESPADRE|access-date=4 September 2020|language=es}}{{cite web|title=Sangonera la Seca – Fiestas Locales -Región de Murcia Digital|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,165,c,369,m,1218&r=ReP-19123-DETALLE_REPORTAJESPADRE|access-date=4 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl%3Fsit%3Da,107,c,369,m,1218|access-date=4 September 2020|title=Región de Murcia Digital|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517040002/https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit%3Da,107,c,369,m,1218|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=La Arboleja- Fiestas Locales – Región de Murcia Digital|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,120,c,369,m,1218|access-date=4 September 2020|language=es}} An activity that is slightly frequent in these festivities is the Coronación de las reinas, which usually consists in awarding the symbolic status of queens to three female children and three female teenagers.{{cite web |url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,273,c,369,m,1218|language=es|title=Torreagüera – Fiestas – Región de Murcia Digital|access-date=3 September 2020}}{{cite web |url=http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,150,c,369,m,1218|language=es|title=Javalí Nuevo– Fiestas – Región de Murcia Digital|access-date=3 September 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://laguiaw.com/eventos/13202-programa-fiestas-puente-sucina-2019|language=es|title=Programa Fiestas Puente Sucina 2019 – La Guía W – La Guía definitiva – Encuentra lo que quieras, cuando quieras|access-date=3 September 2020}} Holy Week festivities are also held in some districts on their own.{{cite web|title=El Palmar– Fiestas – Región de Murcia Digital|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,728,c,369,m,1218|access-date=3 September 2020|language=es}}{{cite web|title=Fiestas de Puente Tocinos – Región de Murcia Digital|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,624,c,369,m,1218|access-date=3 September 2020|language=es}}{{cite web|title=Sangonera La Verde– Fiestas Locales – Región de Murcia Digital|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,721,c,369,m,1218|access-date=3 September 2020|language=es}} Pasacalles (similar to standard parades) are also performed and so the desfiles de carrozas, which are parades in which floats play an important role. Religious activity includes processions (festive religious marches) in which there are statues of the Patron Virgin on a platform that is carried on the shoulders.{{cite web|title=Jerónimo y Avileses – Fiestas Locales – Región de Murcia Digital|url=https://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,725,c,369,m,1218|access-date=4 September 2020|language=es}}{{cite web|title=Programación Fiestas Puebla de Soto 2019 – La Guía W – La Guía Definitiva – Encuentra lo que quieras, donde quieras|url=https://laguiaw.com/eventos/11719-programacion-fiestas-puebla-de-soto-2019|access-date=4 September 2020|language=es}}

Economy

File:Casa Cerdá.JPG

File:Casino de Murcia.jpg

Economically, Murcia predominantly acts as a centre for agriculture and tourism. 33.1% of the municipality is utilised with crops purposes.{{cite web|title=CREM – Datos Municipales Murcia – 1. Evolución de la distribucion general de la tierra.|url=https://econet.carm.es/web/crem/inicio/-/crem/sicrem/PU_MurciaCifrasNEW/P8004/sec2.html|access-date=2020-09-17|website=Portal Estadístico de la Región de Murcia – CREM|language=es}} 35.3% of the agreements of 2019 were written for jobs in agriculture and fishing sectors and 9.84% workers had signed agreements for crop land labouring in the second half of 2016.{{cite web|title=CREM – Datos Municipales de Murcia – 5. Evolución de los contratos de trabajo registrados según sector de la actividad económica. CNAE – 2009|url=https://econet.carm.es/web/crem/inicio/-/crem/sicrem/PU_MurciaCifrasNEW/P8003/sec6.html|access-date=2021-01-11|website=Portal Estadístico de la Región de Murcia – CREM|language=es}}{{cite web|title=Cifras de empleo municipal. 2º semestre de 2016. Municipio de Murcia|url=https://www.sefcarm.es/web/Blob?ARCHIVO=Murcia.pdf&TABLA=ARCHIVOS&CAMPOCLAVE=IDARCHIVO&VALORCLAVE=131053&CAMPOIMAGEN=ARCHIVO&IDTIPO=60&RASTRO=c$m6887,55059|access-date=2021-01-11|website=Sefcarm.es – Murcia Empleo|page=19|language=es}}

7.79% agreements corresponded to the industry sector in 2019 and 5.91% workers had signed agreements for industry labouring in the second half of 2016. 53.12% agreements corresponded to jobs of the service sector in 2019 and 14.26% workers had signed agreements for waiter jobs in the second half of 2016.

The economy of Murcia is supported by fairs and congresses, museums, theatres, cinema, music, aquariums, restaurants, hotels, shopping centres, campings, sports, foreign students, and tourism.

Government

As generally in Spain, the governors are elected indirectly by voting for a political party in a day for municipal and autonomous community (the regions in Spain) elections every four years.{{cite web|title=Ley Orgánica 5/1985, de 19 de junio, del Régimen Electoral General.|url=https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1985-11672|access-date=2021-01-03|website=BOE.es – Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado|at=article 42, article 194|language=es}} The governors that are elected compose a government body named pleno, which has 30 members in Murcia. The alcalde (head governor in a municipality) chooses 10 members from the pleno in order to compose a governing cabinet named junta de gobierno, which has 10 members in Murcia. There are 7 partisans (including the alcalde) of Partido Popular party and 3 partisans of Ciudadanos in the junta de gobierno. The largest government body also includes 9 partisans of PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Español), 3 partisans of Vox and 2 partisans of Podemos and Equo.{{cite web|title=Composición del Pleno – Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia|url=https://www.murcia.es/web/portal/composicion|access-date=2020-12-23|language=es}}{{cite web|title=Composición de la Junta de Gobierno – Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia|url=https://www.murcia.es/es/web/portal/composicion-de-la-junta-de-gobierno|access-date=2020-12-23}}

class="wikitable"
colspan=2|Governing party
2003–2007

|Partido Popular{{cite web|title=Elecciones municipales 2007 MURCIA│elmundo.es|url=https://www.elmundo.es/especiales/2007/05/elecciones_mayo_2007/2007/05/27/seccion_02/1180216848.html|language=es}}

2007–2011

|Partido Popular{{cite web|title=Resultados Electorales en Murcia: Elecciones Municipales 2007 en EL PAÍS|url=https://resultados.elpais.com/elecciones/2007/municipales/15/30/30.html/|language=es|access-date=12 December 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919162535/https://resultados.elpais.com/elecciones/2007/municipales/15/30/30.html|url-status=dead}}

2011–2015

|Partido Popular{{cite web|title=Resultados Electorales en Murcia: Elecciones Municipales 2011 en EL PAÍS|url=https://resultados.elpais.com/elecciones/2007/municipales/15/30/30.html/|language=es|access-date=12 December 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919162535/https://resultados.elpais.com/elecciones/2007/municipales/15/30/30.html|url-status=dead}}

2015–2019

|Partido Popular{{cite web|title=Ballesta logra para el PP la alcaldía de Murcia y MC gobernará en Cartagena|date=13 June 2015 |url=https://www.laopiniondemurcia.es/comunidad/2015/06/13/ballesta-sera-alcalde-murcia-abstencion/655017.html|language=es}}

2019–2021

|Partido Popular

2021–2023

|Partido Socialista Obrero Español{{cite web|last=Gonzálvez|first=Santiago Cabrera Catanesi, Erena Calvo, Elisa Reche, María José|date=2021-03-25|title=PSOE, Ciudadanos y Podemos sacan adelante la moción de censura en Murcia y el PP pierde la alcaldía tras 26 años|url=https://www.eldiario.es/murcia/politica/mocion-censura-desbancar-pp-capital-murcia-sale-adelante_1_7345258.html|access-date=2021-03-25|website=ElDiario.es|language=es}}

Transportation

= Roads =

A national highway named A-30, which connects Cartagena and Albacete, traverses the municipality from south to north,{{cite web|title=Fomento pone en servicio el tercer carril en la A-30 sentido Madrid - 160720nptercercarrila30murcia.pdf|url=https://www.mitma.gob.es/recursos_mfom/160720nptercercarrila30murcia.pdf|access-date=23 December 2020|website=Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana|language=es}} A national motorway named A-7 also occurs in Murcia, specifically in its northwest.{{cite web|title=Autovía A-7 ampliación a tercer carril por calzada entre los pp. kk. 627300Y650. Tramo: Alhama de Murcia – Enlace de Alcantarilla|url=https://www.mitma.gob.es/recursos_mfom/carreteras/14-MU-5700/02-RESUMEN%20TRAZADO-Ed4.pdf|access-date=23 December 2020|website=Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana|language=es}} There is also a highway named MU-30, which connects Alcantarilla municipality and El Palmar district, so it occurs in the northwestern quarter of Murcia.{{cite web |title=Carreteras CARM |url=http://www.carm.es/web/pagina?IDCONTENIDO=23828&IDTIPO=100&RASTRO=c399$m|access-date=4 January 2021|website=CARM.es – Carreteras de la Región de Murcia |language=es}} 52 regional pavement lines also occur in the municipality.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Listado de carreteras por municipio |url=http://www.carm.es/web/Blob?ARCHIVO=0carreteras_municipio_list.pdf&TABLA=ARCHIVOS&CAMPOCLAVE=IDARCHIVO&VALORCLAVE=166419&CAMPOIMAGEN=ARCHIVO&IDTIPO=60&RASTRO=c399$m47598,47599,47541|access-date=30 January 2021|website=CARM.es – Portal CARM|language=es}} The RM-1 road, which is intended to connect Santomera and San Javier, takes place in the east and the RM-15 highway, which connects Alcantarilla and Cehegín, occupies part of the northwest.

= By plane =

Region of Murcia International Airport (RMU) is located 20 km south from the city centre, in the suburban district of Corvera. The airport operates several international and domestic routes. It was opened on 15 January 2019.{{cite web|title=El Consejo de Ministros aprueba la creación de la sociedad concesionaria titular del contrato de gestión del Aeropuerto Internacional de la Región de Murcia (AIRM)|url=https://www.mitma.gob.es/el-ministerio/sala-de-prensa/noticias/mar-02012018-1215|website=Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana|language=es}} Alicante–Elche International Airport is located 60 km north-east from the city centre. This is 5th busiest airport in Spain with 15 million annual passengers.{{cite web|url=http://www.aena.es/csee/ccurl/174/519/00.Definitivo_2019.pdf|title=Passenger traffic at Spanish Airports – 2019|publisher=AENA |access-date=21 December 2020}}

= By bus =

Bus service is provided by two companies: {{ill|Transportes de Murcia|es}}, an UTE (Joint Venture) formed by Ruiz, Marín & Fernanbús, who operates the urban lines, and {{III|Transporte de Murcia y Pedanías|lt=|es|}} (TMP), who operates the interurban lines. Apart from the public transport, there is also a {{III|Estación de autobuses de Murcia|lt=bus station|es|}} located at the city center.

= By tram =

File:Citadis 302 Tranvia de Murcia.JPG

The Murcia tram is managed by Tranvimur. {{As of|2024}}, {{convert|17.5|km|0|abbr=off}} of line were available. Line 1 runs from the Espinardo Campus of the University of Murcia to the Estadio Nueva Condomina, with a central stop at Plaza Circular in the city center. An additional line, Line 1B, extends from the neighborhood of Espinardo to the Catholic University of Saint Anthony and the Los Jerónimos area.{{Cite web |title=New Murcia Tramway opened |url=https://spanishrailwaysnews.com/noticias.asp?not=95 |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=spanishrailwaysnews.com}}

= By train =

Train connections are provided by Renfe. Murcia has a railway station called Murcia del Carmen,{{cite web |title=Estación de Renfe – Murcia el Carmen : Web oficial turismo Región de Murcia |url=https://www.murciaturistica.es/es/estacion_de_tren/estacion-de-renfe---murcia-el-carmen-1315/ |access-date=16 January 2021}} located in the neighbourhood of the same name on the Chinchilla–Cartagena railway. Several long-distance lines link the city with Madrid,{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Tren Murcia a Madrid │Renfe│Toda la información sobre la línea de tren. 2021 - Las mejores ofertas|url=https://ocio.renfe.com/es/renfe/tren-murcia-madrid|access-date=7 February 2021|website=}} through Albacete, as well as Valencia, and Catalonia up to Montpellier in France.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Mapa de líneas de Renfe|url=https://www.renfe.com/es/es/viajar/prepara-tu-viaje/mapas-y-lineas/ave-y-larga-distancia|access-date=7 January 2021|website=|language=es}} Murcia is also the center of a local network. The line C-1 connects the city to Alicante, and the line C-2 connects Murcia to Alcantarilla, Lorca and Águilas.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Líneas|url=https://www.renfe.com/es/es/cercanias/cercanias-murcia-alicante/lineas|access-date=2021-02-07|website=Renfe|language=es}} It also has a regional line connecting it to Cartagena and a medium-range linea to Valencia and Zaragoza.

Healthcare

The hospitals and other public primary healthcare centers belong to the Murcian Healthcare Service. There are three public hospitals in Murcia:{{cite web|title=Catálogo de hospitales. Región de Murcia 2011|url=http://www.murciasalud.es/archivo.php?id=207676|access-date=2021-01-14|website=MurciaSalud, el portal sanitario de la Región de Murcia|at=Catalogo 10 sheet}}

  • {{ill|Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca|es}}that includes obstetrics and paediatrics units.{{cite web|title=Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca|url=http://www.murciasalud.es/pagina.php?id=7665&idsec=797|access-date=2021-01-14|website=MurciaSalud, el portal sanitario de la Región de Murcia|language=es}}
  • {{ill|Hospital General Universitario Reina Sofía|es}}: it is located in the main city, next to Segura river.{{cite web|title=Hospital General Universitario Reina Sofía|url=http://www.murciasalud.es/pagina.php?id=7664&idsec=944|access-date=15 January 2021|website=MurciaSalud, el portal sanitario de la Región de Murcia|language=es}}
  • Hospital Morales Meseguer: it is also placed in the main city.{{cite web|title=Hospital General Universitario Morales Meseguer|url=http://www.murciasalud.es/pagina.php?id=7650&idsec=930|access-date=2021-01-15|website=MurciaSalud, el portal sanitario de la Región de Murcia|language=es}}

Large part of the municipality belongs to the Health area I (Murcia/Oeste), which main place is the main town. Nevertheless, the districts that are located in the northeastern quarter are included in Health area VII (Murcia / Este) and the district Cabezo de Torres is included in Health area VI (Vega Media del Segura).{{cite web|title=MurciaSalud, el portal sanitario de la Región de Murcia. Centros Sanitarios|url=http://www.murciasalud.es/caps.php?op=mostrar_area&id_area=1|access-date=2020-09-17|language=es}}{{cite web|title=Murcia, el portal sanitario de la Región de Murcia. Centros Sanitarios|url=http://www.murciasalud.es/caps.php?op=mostrar_area&id_area=6|access-date=2020-09-17|language=es}}

Education

Murcia has three universities:

File:Murcia University.jpg]]

File:Murcia UniversityCloister.jpg (cloister)]]

There are several high schools, elementary schools, and professional schools. Murcia has three types of schools for children: private schools such as El Limonar International School, Murcia (a British international school) and King's College, Madrid, The American School of Murcia (an American international school),{{cite web|url=https://www.asmurcia.com/en/|title=American School of Murcia - International private school|access-date=1 November 2019|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220192841/https://www.asmurcia.com/en/|url-status=dead}} semi-private schools (concertado),{{Cite news|date=2018-09-07|title=Los escolares murcianos inician el curso|language=es|work=Ayuntamiento de Murcia|url=https://centromedios.murcia.es/PUBLICO/NotaPrensa/Default.aspx?pIdPagina=25&pIdNoticia=48853|access-date=2020-12-23}} which are private schools that receive government funding and sometimes offer religious instruction, and public schools such as Colegio Publico (CP) San Pablo, IES Licenciado Francisco Cascales or the centenary CP Cierva Peñafiel, one of the oldest ones. The French international school, Lycée Français André Malraux de Murcie, is in nearby Molina de Segura.{{cite web |language=fr |url=http://www.lfmurcie.org/nous-contacter/ |title=Nous contacter |publisher=Lycée Français André Malraux de Murcie |access-date=13 February 2016 |quote=Adresse: Avenida del Golf, 107 Urbanización Altorreal Apartado de correos 133 30506 MOLINA DE SEGURA (Provincia de Murcia) ESPAGNE |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227053428/http://www.lfmurcie.org/nous-contacter/ |archive-date=27 February 2016}}

The private schools and concertados can be religious (Catholic mostly but any religion is acceptable) or secular, but the public schools are strictly secular. Concertado or semi-private or quasi-private schools fill a need by providing schools where the government isn't able to or predate the national school system. The private schools in Murcia are not only English language schools. They also include Nelva, a religious school, and San Jorge, a secular bilingual Spanish school.

Murcia also offers Adult Education for people who want to return to complete high school and possibly continue on to the university.{{cite web|title=Listado de centros|url=https://transparencia.carm.es/documents/184026/184318/Directorio+de+centros+educativos+p%C3%BAblicos/5822499b-8648-4325-88fe-e10101e3bb66|page=38|website=Portal de Transparencia – Región de Murcia|language=es|access-date=22 December 2020|archive-date=14 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214124149/http://transparencia.carm.es/documents/184026/184318/Directorio+de+centros+educativos+p%C3%BAblicos/5822499b-8648-4325-88fe-e10101e3bb66|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=CARM.es – Centro Público de Educación para Personas Adultas García Alix de Murcia|url=https://www.carm.es/web/pagina?IDCONTENIDO=86386&IDTIPO=160&RASTRO=c$m122,133,2087|language=es}}

Notable people

Sports teams

File:Nueva Condomina (Murcia) Murcia 1 - Elche 0.jpg]]Some of the sports teams of the municipality are listed below:

  • Racing Murcia FC — a fifth-tier club
  • Real Murcia – it was founded in 1908 and is a Primera Federación football team
  • CF Atlético CiudadSpanish Third Division (Group 2) football (dissolved in 2010)
  • UCAM MurciaSegunda Federación football team
  • CAP Ciudad de MurciaSpanish Fourth Division (Group 13) football
  • CB Murcia – the team is owned by the UCAM private university and it has been in the Spanish Liga ACB basketball league, which is the first division basketball league in the country.
  • ElPozo Murcia Turística FS – a futsal team which was founded in 1992 and plays in the first division.
  • Hispania Racing F1 TeamFormula One racing
  • CAV Murcia 2005 – a volleyball team, and its name is an acronym for Club Atlético de Voleibol. It won the Supercopa de España tournament in the 2005–2006 season.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=|title=El CAV Murcia, campeón al vencer por 3-0 al Universidad de Burgos|language=es|work=As|url=https://as.com/masdeporte/2010/03/28/polideportivo/1269730802_850215.html|access-date=2021-01-29}} The team was the winner in the Superliga Femenina de Voleibol in 2008.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2008-05-10|title=Éxito del Murcia 2005|language=es|work=La Opinión de Murcia|url=https://www.laopiniondemurcia.es/deportes/2008/05/10/exito-murcia-2005/106880.html|access-date=21 January 2021}} It won the Copa de la Reina Spanish tournament in 2011.{{cite news|last=|first=|date=2011-01-30|title=CAV Murcia 2005 gana la Copa|work=20minutos|url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/cav-murcia-copa-reina-voley-944459/0/|access-date=2021-01-29}} It obtained 13 titles{{cite news|last=|first=|date=2011-02-01|title=Seis años plagados de éxitos|work=La Opinión de Murcia|url=https://www.laopiniondemurcia.es/deportes/2011/02/01/seisanos-plagados-exitos/300108.html|access-date=21 January 2021}} and ended in 2011 due to its debts.{{cite news|last=Gómez|first=Luis|date=2013-06-01|title=Mentira, dinero, voleibol y un doble asesinato|language=es|work=El País|url=https://elpais.com/politica/2013/06/01/actualidad/1370104369_564463.html|access-date=29 January 2021}}
  • Origen (esports) – the most well-known League of Legends team in Spain and was founded in December 2014. It was a finalist team in the 2015 summer playoffs. The team has also been in the League of Legends Challenge Series and in the League of Legends Championship series.{{Cite news|last=Pastoriza|first=Rocío|date=2019-05-31|title=League of Legends: La historia de Origen, el equipo español más famoso de LoL│Marca.com|language=es|work=Marca|url=https://www.marca.com/esports/league-of-legends/2019/05/31/5cf0e741268e3e7c2e8b458c.html|access-date=2021-01-27}}{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Todo sobre el equipo Origen. Ultimas noticias y sus jugadores – Movistar eSports|url=https://esports.as.com/league-of-legends/origen/|access-date=27 January 2021|website=|language=es|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929020148/https://esports.as.com/league-of-legends/origen/|url-status=dead}} The team relocated from Murcia to in Denmark in 2018.{{Cite news|last=Álvaro|first=Guiñón|date=21 November 2018|title=Origen competirá desde Dinamarca|language=es|work=Movistar eSports|url=https://esports.as.com/league-of-legends/lec/Origen-competira-Dinamarca_0_1192980694.html|access-date=2021-01-29}}

Twin towns – sister cities

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Spain}}

Murcia is twinned with:{{cite web |title=Hermanamientos sí, pero con estrategia|url=https://www.laverdad.es/murcia/ciudad-murcia/hermanamientos-estrategia-20180611010350-ntvo.html|website=laverdad.es|publisher=La Verdad|language=es|date=11 June 2018|access-date=31 December 2019}}

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{{div col end}}

See also

References

  • {{EB1911|wstitle=Murcia (town)|volume=19|page=33}}

=Notes=

{{reflist|48em}}

Bibliography

{{See also|Timeline of Murcia#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Murcia}}