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Home > Travel Spain > Spain Destinations > Vilanova i la Geltru
Vilanova i la Geltru
Spain, also known as Kingdom of Spain, is one of the oldest inhabited regions on the planet. It is a country which is located in Southern Europe, and politically organized as a parliamentary monarchy. It is the largest sovereign nation of the three nations that make up the Iberian Peninsula. Administratively, Spain is divided into 50 provinces, grouped into 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities with a high degree of autonomy. The name Spain comes from the Latin name Hispania whose capital is Madrid which is also the largest city of the Country.
Vilanova i la Geltru is the capital of the comarca of Garraf, in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, with a growing population of approximately 62,000. A major Catalonian fishing port, the town is situated approximately 40 kilometers south-west of Barcelona, with the more famous coastal resort of Sitges some 10 kilometers to the north-east. The town has a long and colorful history, reaching its heyday during the Romantic period. During the rule of General Franco the Catalan language was banned and the town renamed Villanueva Geltru.
Vilanova i la Geltru is a busy modern town, with manufactures of cotton, woolen and linen goods, and of paper. It has also iron foundries and an important agricultural trade. The harbour affords safe and deep anchorage and it is a lifeboat station and the headquarters of a large fishing fleet. The coasting trade is also considerable. Vilanova has a museum, founded by the Catalan poet, historian and diplomat, Victor Balaguer, which contains collections of Roman, Egyptian and prehistoric antiquities, besides paintings, engravings, sculptures, coins and a large library.
Apart from some renowned seafood restaurants, it is home to Vilanova Xato, a type of salad dressed with a rich sauce made from almonds, olives, fish, oil and garlic, which forms the basis for the Festival of Xato along with nearby villages and towns. Other notable festivals include Festa Major in early August and Carnival which includes Les Compares in which good-humored rival groups throw boiled sweets also know as candies at each other. Vilanova i la Geltru is one of Spain's most popular destinations, and is well known for the quantity of cultural related attractions and monuments that the city has embraced.
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