University of Alicante

The University of Alicante (Valencian: Universitat d'Alacant, IPA: [univeɾsiˈtad dalaˈkant]; Spanish: Universidad de Alicante, IPA: [uniβersiˈðað ðe aliˈkante]; also known by the acronym UA) was established in 1979 on the basis of the Center for University Studies (CEU), which was founded in 1968. The University main campus is located in San Vicente del Raspeig/Sant Vicent del Raspeig, bordering the city of Alicante to the north. As of 2011/12 academic year, there are approximately 27,500 students studying there.

The University inherits the legacy of the University of Orihuela that was established by Papal Bull in 1545 and remained open for two centuries (1610-1808).

The University of Alicante offers courses in more than fifty degrees. It comprises over seventy departments and research groups in areas of Social Science and Law, Experimental science, Technology, Liberal Arts, Education and Health Sciences, and five research institutes. Almost all classes are taught in Spanish language, some are in English, in particular, in computer science and in business degrees, and a few are in Valencian language. Spanish language courses are offered for foreign students throughout the year and during the summer. The University offers English Language versions to PhD level including religion. Julian Havell was the first to graduate from this scheme.

Alicante

Alicante (/ˌælᵻˈkæntiˌ -teɪ/, Spanish: [aliˈkante]), or Alacant (Valencian: [alaˈkant]), both the Valencian and Spanish being official names, is a city and port in Spain on the Costa Blanca, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of Alacantí, in the south of the Valencian Community. It is also a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 332,067, estimated as of 2014, ranking as the second-largest Valencian city. Including nearby municipalities, the Alicante conurbation had 452,462 residents. The population of the metropolitan area (including Elche and satellite towns) was 757,085 as of 2014 estimates, ranking as the eighth-largest metropolitan area of Spain.

Naming

The name of the city echoes the Arabic name Laqant (لَقَنْت) or Al-Laqant (ألَلَقَنْت), which in turn reflects the Latin Lucentum.

History

The area around Alicante has been inhabited for over 7000 years. The first tribes of hunter gatherers moved down gradually from Central Europe between 5000 and 3000 BC. Some of the earliest settlements were made on the slopes of Mount Benacantil. By 1000 BC Greek and Phoenician traders had begun to visit the eastern coast of Spain, establishing small trading ports and introducing the native Iberian tribes to the alphabet, iron and the pottery wheel. By the 3rd century BC, the rival armies of Carthage and Rome began to invade and fight for control of the Iberian Peninsula. The Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca established the fortified settlement of Akra Leuka (Greek: Ἄκρα Λευκή, meaning "White Mountain" or "White Point"), where Alicante stands today.

Province of Alicante

Alicante (Spanish: [aliˈkante]), or Alacant (Valencian: [alaˈkant]), is a province of eastern Spain, in the southern part of the Valencian Community. It is bordered by the provinces of Murcia on the southwest, Albacete on the west, Valencia on the north, and the Mediterranean Sea on the east. The province is named after its capital, the city of Alicante.

Territory, population and resources

According to the 2009 population data, Alicante ranks as the 4th most populous province in Spain (after Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia), with 1,917,012 inhabitants. Cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants in the province are Alicante (334,757 inhabitants), Elche (230,112), Torrevieja (101,792), Orihuela (86,164), Benidorm (71,034), Alcoy (61,552), Elda (55,168), and San Vicente del Raspeig (53,126).

The province has the largest ratio of foreigner population among all Spanish provinces. The total of 446,368 foreigners are registered in the province, which represents 23.6 percent of the total population. Out of 141 municipalities that make up the province, foreign population is above 25% in 54 municipalities, and above 50% in 19 municipalities. The latter include San Fulgencio (80%), Rojales (74%), Benitatxell (69.8%), Algorfa (69.7%), Llíber (67%), Teulada (65.5%), Daya Vieja (64.4%); San Miguel de Salinas (64.3%), Calp (62.8%), Els Poblets (61.6%), Alcalalí (60.8%), Benijófar (58.5%), L'Alfàs del Pi (56.6%), Orba (55%), Xàbia (54%), Torrevieja (53.5%), Murla (52%), Fondó (51.7%), and Benidoleig (50%).

Alicante (tomato)

Alicante is a medium sized red variety of tomato. It is resistant to "greenback," a condition where the fruit fails to ripen evenly, and produces a reliable, heavy, early crop.

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