Alicante is the second most important city in the Autonomous Region of Valencia.  Tourism is one of its main industries. Situated on the Eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, it is home to 319,380 residents. It has a landmass of 202 square kilometers.

Alicante is located at a distance of 432 kilometers from Madrid, but its modern highway system and a excellent railway network allow for convenient transportation to anywhere in the country. The Alicante Airport is one of the busiest airports in Spain, especially during the summer season.

As for its distance from the other EuroBasket cities, Alicante is 334 kilometers from Palma, separated only by the Mediterranean Sea, 343 kilometers from Granada and 609 kilometers from Seville.

Alicante has a pleasant climate during both the summer and winter seasons, with an average of 17.8 degrees Celsius. The maximum average temperature is 23.1 degrees, and the minimum is 12.6 degrees. The statistics for the month of September indicate a maximum average of 28.4 degrees and a minimum average of 17.8 degrees. The visibility is excellent all year round, with the average number of days of precipitation being only 37.  In September, the average number of rainy days is only 3.

 

The location of Alicante was important for the establishment of the first human settlements. There are traces of theses early settlements from the Bronze Age at an archaeological site located in the Serra Grossa, which date back to the second millennium B.C. Traces from the Iberian period have also been found. There is also proof of the existence of the Roman town dubbed Lucentum.  Alicante became a place for acquiring provisions for maritime activity, and as a result, developed a strong commerce.

In 1244, the borders between Castilla and Aragon were set, and Alicante was then included as a Castilian territory. Three years later, in 1247, the city was conquered by Alfonso X, so creating “La Vila Nova” (the new village).  In 1296 Jaime II finally incorporated the village of Alicante as part of the kingdom of Valencia, and in 1490 Fernando II elevated the village of Alicante to the status of city. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the port revitalized the urban transformation of the city. The 19th century was characterized by the demolition of the original city walls, the creation of new neighbourhoods and the arrival of the railroad. But it was not until the 20th century, with the growth of industrial and professional activity, its consolidation as a center of services and the development of tourism, that Alicante underwent the transformation into its current state.

Alicante is a maritime city whose historic quarter includes the Postiguet beach, two marinas and a commercial port.  Pedestrians can stroll

		Alicante

throughout this area on “el Paseo de Gomiz”, “el Paseo de Conde de Vallelano” and “el Paseo del Almirante Julio Guillén Tato”. There are numerous places of interest along these streets, including the famous Explanada de España. In terms of sheer size, both in surface area and buildings, the Santa Barbara castle is one the largest in the Mediterranean region.

Its privileged location has been an encouragement  to settlement since the Middle Ages and vestiges have been found here dating back to the Bronze, Iberian and Roman eras. The present fortress is Muslim in origin and dates back to the 9th century.

The waters around the island of Tabarca were officially declared a natural Mediterranean marine reserve. It is considered an excellent example of undamaged Mediterranean marine life, given its cleanliness and quality of water and thanks to its abundant diversity of animal and plant life.
The wide range of museums in Alicante is constantly expanding. Apart from the CAPA Sculpture Collection and the Asegurada Museum of Contemporary Art, the offer includes the recently opened Alicante Bullfighting Museum, the MARQ Archaeological Museum or the Gravina Fine Arts Museum (MUBAG). The most important monuments include the City Hall, the Santa Barbara Castle, the Church of Santa Maria, the Cathedral of San Nicolas de Bari, the Monastery of Santa Faz and the remains of an Iberian settlement in Tossal de Manises.

By Air:
The airport of L’Altet is situated 9 kilometers southeast of the capital, in the municipal district of Elche, an area with great economic and industrial activity. Because the area is so attractive to foreign tourists, 80% of all passengers on international flights to the airport arrive to spend their holidays. In 2005 the Alicante airport registered traffic of 8,795,705 passengers, 76,109 operations and 5,193 tons of cargo.  The roads used to get to the airport are the N-340 and N-332 from the Spanish road network.

By Road:
Alicante is situated next to the A-7 highway that connects Spain and France along the Mediterranean coast. The national roadway N-340 connects the city to Valencia and Barcelona. Apart from these main connections, additional roads can be taken to Murcia or Madrid.

By Train:
Railway travel can be made directly to the French border via Valencia and Barcelona. Alicante boasts an excellent train service with connections to all of Spain.

By Sea:
Alicante is a destination of Mediterranean cruises and of a regular ferry service connecting the Balearic Islands to the peninsula.

2006

Basketball Tournament in the CTG: Spain vs Serbia
Spanish National Taekwondo Championship 
XXI Match-1 International Tennis Tournament
IIX International Track and Field Meet
Spanish National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship for Clubs. ECA Club
XXXVI Alicante Costa Blanca Rally
Independent  Spanish National School-aged Swimming Championship
Spanish National Beach Handball Championship
National Beach Football Circuit
International Miriam Blasco Judo Tournament
7th Edition of the Port of Alicante Half Marathon
Spanish Indoor Soccer Super Cup
European Track and Field Club Championship
Quarterfinal Elimination Round of the World Group – Federation Cup (Fed Cup): Spain vs. Austria

2005

XLIII Women’s Queen’s Cup Basketball
XII Spanish National O.N.C.E. Track and Field Championship
VII International Track and Field Meet
Spanish National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship for Clubs
Spanish National Youth Handball Championship
 35th Alicante Costa Blanca Rally
World Match Race Championship in Calpe
IMS 670 Cruiser Sailboat World Championships in Alicante
European Beach Volleyball Championship (Valencia)
Formula Spanish Cup of Windsurfing (Burriana)
Her Majesty the Queen Women’s Football Cup
European Water Skiing Championship in Oropesa
Flying Dutchman Class Sailing Championship in Altea

2004

6th International Track and Field Meet
XXXIV Costa Blanca Rally
World Offshore Championship
Spanish Individual Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship
VIII International Miriam Blasco Judo Tournament
11th Stage of the Spanish “La Vuelta” Cycling Championship 2004
Davis Cup Semifinal
Half Marathon – Port of Alicante
LIV Spanish Figure Skating Championship
Women’s Handball Super Cup
European Triathlon Championship
Spanish 25 meter Swimming Championship

 

For more information about the city, go to www.alicanteturismo.com