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Aragon

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Aragon is an autonomous community located in northeastern Spain.

Flag of Aragon
Flag of Aragon

It is a large region covering 47,720 square kilometers. This area represents 9.43% of the total surface of Spain. Because of its size, it is the fourth largest autonomous community in the country. The region is divided into three distinct provinces. Huesca is in the north, Teruel is in the south, and Zaragoza is in the middle. The city of Zaragoza serves as the capital.

Aragon in Spain (including Canarias)
Aragon in Spain (including Canarias)

The current Statute of Autonomy recognizes Aragon as a historic nationality of Spain.

The geography of Aragon is defined by two major mountain ranges. To the north lie the Pyrenees mountains. To the south sits the Sistema Ibérico mountain range. Between these two ranges lies the Ebro Valley. This valley acts as a central axis for the entire region. The valley sits at a low elevation, between 150 and 300 meters. The Ebro Valley is a tectonic pit. This means it is a low area formed by the movement of the Earth's crust. Over the Tertiary age, sedimentary materials filled this pit. These materials include fine clays, plasters, and limestones.

The Pyrenees mountains offer a very diverse landscape. The High Pyrenees contain the highest peaks in the entire mountain chain. These peaks include Aneto, which reaches 3,404 meters. Other major peaks are Maladeta at 3,309 meters and Perdiguero at 3,221 meters. The High Pyrenees are made of very old materials. These include granites, quartzites, slates, and limestones. Further south, the pre-Pyrenean outer ranges consist of calcareous materials. These mountains reach heights between 1,500 and 2,000 meters. The Sierra de Guara is a notable range here. Its highest point is the Guara Peak at 2,077 meters.

Benasque - Llanos del Hospital 07
Benasque - Llanos del Hospital 07

In the south, the Sistema Ibérico range provides different terrain. This range straddles the provinces of Zaragoza and Teruel. It is divided into two main zones. The first zone is the Sistema Ibérico del Jalón. The Moncayo peak is the highest point here at 2,314 meters. It is composed of Paleozoic quartzites and slates. The second zone is the Sistema Ibérico turolense. This area features elevated terrain that is often flattened and massive. Most of this land sits between 1,000 and 2,000 meters. Other important ranges include the Sierra de Albarracín and the Sierra de Javalambre.

Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre
Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre

Water plays a vital role in the Aragonese landscape. The Ebro River is the largest river in Spain by volume. It runs west to east across the entire region. Many rivers act as tributaries to the Ebro. These include the Aragón, Gállego, Cinca, and Jalón rivers. In the mountains, you can find beautiful small lakes called ibones. These lakes formed during the last glaciation. They are usually found at altitudes above 2,000 meters. There is also a massive water body called the Mequinenza Reservoir. It is 110 kilometers long and is often called the "Sea of Aragon."

Aragon in Spain (including Canarias)
Aragon in Spain (including Canarias)

The climate in Aragon varies significantly due to its mountains. There are two main climate types: Semi-arid and Oceanic. The high mountains have an Alpine climate with permanent glaciers. The central lowlands can be very dry, like the Monegros Desert. The Ebro Valley experiences a continental climate. This means there are cold winters and hot summers. In the summer, temperatures in central areas can exceed 40 °C. A famous wind called the cierzo blows through the Ebro Valley. The cierzo is a cold and dry wind that moves from the northwest.

Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre
Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre

Aragon has a deep and complex history involving many different cultures. The region has roots in pre-Roman, Celtic, and Roman times. For four centuries, it was part of the Islamic rule known as Al-Andalus. During this time, it was the kingdom of Saraqusta. The land was also once part of the Frankish Marca Hispanica. Later, these territories formed the Kingdom of Aragon and the Crown of Aragon.

Aragonese Empire 1443
Aragonese Empire 1443

Today, the population is approximately 1,351,591 people. More than half of these residents live in Zaragoza. The economy is also significant, generating €46,674 million in 2023. This represents 3.1% of the total GDP of Spain.

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🖼️ Images & Media (48)
File:Aragon in Spain (including Canarias).svg
Aragon in Spain (including Canarias).svg
File:Aragon in Spain (plus Canarias).svg
Aragon in Spain (plus Canarias).svg
File:Flag of the Community of Madrid.svg
Flag of the Community of Madrid.svg
File:Flag of the Balearic Islands.svg
Flag of the Balearic Islands.svg
File:Bandera Castilla-La Mancha.svg
Bandera Castilla-La Mancha.svg
File:Flag of Aragon.svg
Flag of Aragon.svg
File:Flag of the Basque Country.svg
Flag of the Basque Country.svg
File:Flag of Asturias.svg
Flag of Asturias.svg
File:Flag of Catalonia.svg
Flag of Catalonia.svg
File:Aragon languages.svg
Aragon languages.svg
File:Bandera de Navarra.svg
Bandera de Navarra.svg
File:Flag Ceuta.svg
Flag Ceuta.svg

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