Province of Orense

The province of Ourense castillian, provincia of Orense ) is a province of the North-West of the Spain in the south-eastern part of the Galicia. It is surrounded of the provinces of Pontevedra in the west, Lugo in north, León and Zamora in the east and by the Portugal in the south. It has a surface of 7.278 km ².

Geography

Surrounded by mountains, it is the only province of Galicia not having access to the Mer. These mountains isolated it from more populated coasts and the fertile grounds. Until a " autovía" modern and without toll (road with 4 ways not to be confused with the highway which one calls " autopista" and which is paying) is installation (connecting Ourense to Vigo and Benavente), the only practical way to enter or to leave the province was a line of Railroad. The cultures of Galicia and the Portugal remained different, even along the southern border. The mountains of the south are a brake with the cultural exchanges, the only historical passage is the valley of Chaves.

Comarques

See:

List of Comarques of the Province of Orense.

Communes

See:

List of the communes of the province of Ourense.

Economy

The principal river is Minho/Miño - Sil, the fertile valleys which it form allow the culture. Many the rapids do not allow navigation but they allow the hydroelectric generation of current. The Sil runs in a deep canyon and became a site sought by the tourists.

The Limia is a river whose source is in the north of Xinzo de Limia and who runs out in the South towards Portugal. Tâmega, another Portuguese river, has its source in the north of Verín.

The mountainous ground and the insulation leave the province with an economic delay and an important emigration towards the remainder of the Spain or the Nouveau World. The valley of the Minho/Miño allows the production of corn and the culture of the vine. There is an important activity of breeding of pig and potato culture, particularly around Xinzo de Limia and in the drained lake of Antela. This lake was, until in the years 1960, the most important lake of fresh water of Spain.

Industry comprises dairy chemical plants, power stations and embouteillement close to Verín. The neighborhoods of the capital have an important activity of manufacture of clothing.

Tourism

Although the province is not a major tourist center, tourism contributes somewhat to the economy. The valleys attract the tourists for their falls of water and their sights spectacular. There are several medieval cities (Allariz and Ribadavia). Finally Manzaneda, in the north of Ourense, is the only ski station of Galicia.

Population

The province comprises 343.768 inhabitants (2002) of which 30% reside at Ourense, the only important city. Mainly rural, the population is distributed on 92 municipalities. The most important cities are Verín, Ribadavia, Allariz, has Rua, Carballiño and Xinzo de Limia.

External bonds

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