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La Rioja

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

La Rioja is an autonomous community in northern Spain. It sits on the Iberian Peninsula.

Mapa de La Rioja de Tomás López, año 1769
Mapa de La Rioja de Tomás López, año 1769

This region is part of a single province. It borders the Basque Country to the north. It also sits near Navarre, Aragón, and Castilla y León. The Ebro river flows through the north of the land.

Rio Ebro, heart of La Rioja
Rio Ebro, heart of La Rioja

The area is the least populated community in all of Spain. As of 2024, there are 324,184 people living there. Most of these people live in the capital city, Logroño.

The land has many different shapes and features. In the south, the Iberian System mountains rise up.

Peciña 01
Peciña 01

The highest peak is Monte San Lorenzo. Seven rivers flow down from these mountains toward the Ebro.

La Rioja y sus siete valles
La Rioja y sus siete valles

Because of this, some call it the "Zone of the seven valleys." These rivers include the Alhama, Cidacos, Leza, Iregua, Najerilla, Oja, and Tirón. The Ebro river flows very quickly through the region. It moves through narrow channels and deep canyons.

History in this area is very long and complex. Long ago, tribes like the Berones and Vascones lived here.

La Rioja y sus siete valles
La Rioja y sus siete valles

Later, the land was part of Al Andalus after a Muslim invasion. In the tenth century, the region was partly taken back. It later became part of the Kingdom of Pamplona. The name "Rioja" first appeared in writing in the year 1099. For a long time, the area was a borderland between different kings. The famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route also crosses this land.

There are many interesting things to find in the nature of La Rioja. In the high hills, you can find pine, beech, and oak trees.

Peciña 01
Peciña 01

Near the water, rows of poplar trees grow along the riverbanks. The hills are covered with huge vineyards. These grapes are used to make famous wines. You can also find fossils here.

Enciso-dinosaur-footprint-detail
Enciso-dinosaur-footprint-detail

During the Early Cretaceous period, this area was a flooded plain. This left dinosaur footprints in the mud that turned to stone.

La Rioja is a place where many different things meet. It connects the high mountains to the wide Ebro valley. The region is organized into 174 different municipalities. Some towns like Calahorra, Arnedo, and Haro are well known. The area is famous around the world for its wine.

LR-210 towards San Vicente de la Sonsierra
LR-210 towards San Vicente de la Sonsierra

It is a land of fast rivers, deep valleys, and old history. You can see how the mountains and water shape the way people live.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Mapa de La Rioja de Tomás López, año 1769.jpg
Mapa de La Rioja de Tomás López, año 1769.jpg
File:Peciña_01.jpg
Peciña_01.jpg
File:La Rioja y sus siete valles.jpg
La Rioja y sus siete valles.jpg
File:Rio_Ebro,_heart_of_La_Rioja.jpg
Rio_Ebro,_heart_of_La_Rioja.jpg
File:Enciso-dinosaur-footprint-detail.jpg
Enciso-dinosaur-footprint-detail.jpg
File:La Rioja(España) Comarcas 04.svg
La Rioja(España) Comarcas 04.svg
File:Central térmica de Arrúbal.jpg
Central térmica de Arrúbal.jpg
File:LR-210 towards San Vicente de la Sonsierra.JPG
LR-210 towards San Vicente de la Sonsierra.JPG
File:Fausto Elhuyar.jpg
Fausto Elhuyar.jpg
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