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58-487: Cartagena ( Spanish: [kaɾtaˈxena] ) is a Spanish city and a major naval station on the Mediterranean coast , south-eastern Iberia. As of January 2018, it has a population of 218,943 inhabitants. This makes Cartagena Murcia's second-largest municipality and Spain's sixth-largest city that is not a provincial-capital. The wider urban or metropolitan area of Cartagena, known as Campo de Cartagena , has

116-458: A tropical savanna climate or a humid subtropical climate . These climates tend to have hot, or sometimes extremely hot, summers and warm to cool winters, with some to minimal precipitation. Hot semi-arid climates are most commonly found around the fringes of subtropical deserts. Hot semi-arid climates are most commonly found in Africa , Australia , and South Asia . In Australia, a large portion of

174-533: A great plain inclined slightly in the direction NW-SE, bordered at the north and the northwest by pre-coastal mountain ranges (Carrascoy, El Puerto, Los Villares, Columbares and Escalona), and at the south and southwest by coastal mountain ranges (El Algarrobo, La Muela, Pelayo, Gorda, La Fausilla y Minera, with its last spurs in Cape Palos ). The dominant geology of the region is metamorphic (slate, marble) and sedimentary (limestone). The most widely present kind of soil

232-436: A hot, dry Mediterranean woodland. Some species are seriously endangered like the siempreviva de Cartagena ( Limonium carthaginense), the rabogato del Mar Menor ( Sideritis marmironensis), the zamarrilla de Cartagena ( Teucrium carthaginense), the manzanilla de Escombreras ( Anthemis chrysantha ), the garbancillo de Tallante ( Astragalus nitidiflorus ), the jara de Cartagena ( Cistus heterophyllus carthaginensis) and

290-434: A location has a semi-arid climate, the precipitation threshold must first be determined. The method used to find the precipitation threshold (in millimeters): If the area's annual precipitation in millimeters is less than the threshold but more than half or 50% the threshold, it is classified as a BS (steppe, semi-desert, or semi-arid climate). Furthermore, to delineate hot semi-arid climates from cold semi-arid climates,

348-409: A mean annual temperature of 18 °C (64.4 °F) is used as an isotherm. A location with a BS -type climate is classified as hot semi-arid ( BSh ) if its mean temperature is above this isotherm, and cold semi-arid ( BSk ) if not. Hot semi-arid climates (type "BSh") tend to be located from the high teens to mid-30s latitudes of the tropics and subtropics , typically in proximity to regions with

406-595: A military operation combining land forces and a Cantabrian fleet. It was granted a fuero copied after Córdoba's in 1246. Similarly to the other subdued rebel towns, it early underwent an aggressive process of Castilianization. The Bishopric of Cartagena was created. In 1270, Alfonso created the Order of Santa María de España for the naval defense of the Crown of Castile and established its headquarters in Cartagena. In 1296, Cartagena

464-673: A new Roman province in Hispania called Carthaginensis and settled the capital in this city. It remained important until it was sacked by the Vandals in 435 AD. During the Roman period, it was the site of major silver mines, yielding a daily revenue of 25,000 drachmae . It was known also for the production of garum , a fermented fish sauce, and for esparto grass which granted it a new name, Cartago Spartaria . The demise and fall of Western Roman sovereignty caused Cartago Spartaria to go into decline. It

522-533: A plethora of Art Nouveau buildings from the early 20th century. Cartagena is now established as a major cruise ship destination in the Mediterranean and an emerging cultural focus. It was the first of a number of cities that have been named Cartagena, most notably Cartagena, Colombia . The city of Cartagena is located in the southeastern region of Spain in the Campo de Cartagena . The Cartagena region can be viewed as

580-616: A population of 409,586 inhabitants. Cartagena has been inhabited for over two millennia, being founded around 227 BC by the Carthaginian military leader Hasdrubal the Fair as Qart Hadasht ( Phoenician : 𐤒𐤓𐤕𐤟𐤇𐤃𐤔𐤕 QRT𐤟ḤDŠT ; meaning "New Town"), the same name as the original city of Carthage . The city reached its peak under the Roman Empire , when it was known as Carthago Nova ( New Carthage ) and Carthago Spartaria , capital of

638-504: A wide range of activities and visits, discovering the cultural wealth and rich history of the city. It is one of several projects to energize the tourist possibilities of this potential major cultural destination, frequently neglected by the mass-tourism, due to the proximity of several holiday resorts, and the refinery and other industrial development, which gave a bad reputation to the city because of pollution; these last have now fortunately been eradicated. Although there are some ruins from

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696-415: Is January, with an average temperature of 12.7 °C (55 °F). In August, the warmest month, the average temperature is 27.0 °C (81 °F). The wind is an important climatic factor in the region. The municipality has 24 districts, known as diputaciones (councils). The origin of this administrative structure has its date in the beginning of the 18th century when the population was increasing and

754-791: Is a dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration , but not as low as a desert climate . There are different kinds of semi-arid climates, depending on variables such as temperature, and they give rise to different biomes . A more precise definition is given by the Köppen climate classification , which treats steppe climates ( BSh and BSk ) as intermediates between desert climates (BW) and humid climates (A, C, D) in ecological characteristics and agricultural potential. Semi-arid climates tend to support short, thorny or scrubby vegetation and are usually dominated by either grasses or shrubs as they usually cannot support forests. To determine if

812-421: Is a valley, is located in a district named Escombreras that is placed in the south of the municipality and of 5–10 km from the main locality by its west. Agriculture is another noteworthy activity in Cartagena and 37.9% of the territory consisted of crop lands in 2017. The most widely grown products are melons, lettuces, potatoes, lemons and almonds. 52.77% of the agreements occurred in this sector and 42.83% of

870-566: Is also capital of the maritime province of Cartagena, which was granted by the Royal Decree of 5 October 1607 under the reign of Philip III . According to the Municipal census, as of January 2011, Cartagena has 218,210 inhabitants, ranking 24th in Spain in terms of population (and 6th among the non-capitals). 182,021 people live in the urban area and 39,840 in the several satellite quarters. According to

928-471: Is calcic xerosol. Other soils that occur in the municipality are the leptosol , which forms the Mediterranean coast, and the petrocalcic xerosol. The city is located just at the end of the new AP-7 motorway. The following villages are part of Cartagena municipality: La Azohía , Isla Plana , Los Urrutias and Los Nietos . The Old Town is limited by five small hills (Molinete, Monte Sacro, Monte de San José, Despeñaperros and Monte de la Concepción) following

986-529: Is not clear whether it is native or introduced. Some other species of note include the greater flamingo , the red fox , the European rabbit , the European badger , the beech marten , the common genet , the wildcat and the wild boar . There is evidence of the presence of individuals belonging to the genus Homo in the cave Cueva Victoria 1,300,000 years ago. This cave is located in the southeastern quarter of Cartagena. Remains of Neanderthal individuals of

1044-564: Is prominent and is one of the city's landmarks. Work on it started at the end of the 2nd century BC. The Roman Theatre Museum was recently officially inaugurated. In Roman Republican Times, the mines near Cartagena provided silver and lead for all the Roman Empire. Other Roman remains can be found in several buildings and interpretative centres, including the Roman Colonnade, the House of Fortune,

1102-724: The ABC Islands , the rain shadows of Hispaniola 's mountain ranges in the Dominican Republic and Haiti , parts of the Southwestern United States including California's Central Valley , and sections of South America such as the sertão , the Gran Chaco , and the poleward side of the arid deserts, where they typically feature a Mediterranean precipitation pattern, with generally rainless summers and wetter winters. They are also found in few areas of Europe surrounding

1160-716: The Abrigo de Los Déntoles cove, the Cueva de Los Mejillones , and the Cabezo de San Ginés (hill). The West of the municipality was also the scene of human activity in that period. Concrete evidence of this are the caves Cueva del Caballo and Cueva Bermeja . The southeast end of Cartagena was inhabited again during the Mesolithic . Important points are the Cueva de los Pájaros and Cueva de los Mejillones (caves). Neolithic components such as ceramic shards have been found. The southeast of Cartagena

1218-563: The Battle of Cartagena took place near the Cabo de Gata between a Spanish fleet and a French fleet. In 1728, Cartagena became the capital of the Spanish Navy's Maritime Department of the Mediterranean and the city was heavily fortified with the construction of a modern castle in the place of a former Moorish Kasbah , several barracks and a huge Cartagena Arsenal . In a relatively short period of time,

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1276-603: The Carthaginians in the 2nd century BC, occupies a strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea . It remained a commercial port until the reign of Philip V , when it was redeveloped as a major naval base alongside the expansion of the Spanish Navy. Construction of the arsenal began in late 1731, and was completed in 1782, during the reign of Charles III . The final cost came to 112 million reales . The Cartagena naval base

1334-586: The Mediterranean Basin . In Europe, BSh climates are predominantly found in southeastern Spain . It can also be found primarily in parts of south Greece but also in marginal areas of Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki in north Greece , most of Formentera , marginal areas of Ibiza and marginal areas of Italy in Sicily , Sardinia and Lampedusa . Cold semi-arid climates (type "BSk") tend to be located in elevated portions of temperate zones generally from

1392-676: The Mousterian culture were found in the Cave of los Aviones . This place is located close to Cartagena. There were also remains of Neanderthals belonging to the Mousterian culture in the Cueva Bermeja , which is located in the southwestern quarter of the municipality. At the southeast corner of the municipality remains of humans of the Upper Paleolithic were discovered. The paleontological sites are

1450-518: The Outback surrounding the central desert regions lies within the hot semi-arid climate region. In South Asia, both India and parts of Pakistan experience the seasonal effects of monsoons and feature short but well-defined wet seasons , but are not sufficiently wet overall to qualify as either a tropical savanna or a humid subtropical climate. Hot semi-arid climates can be also found in parts of North America , such as most of northern Mexico ,

1508-689: The Umayyads (714–756), the Caliphate of Cordova (756–1031), the Taifa of Denia (1031–1076), the Taifa of Saragossa (1076–1081), the Taifa of Tortosa (1081–1092), the Almoravids (1092–1145), the Almohads (1145–1229) and the Taifa of Murcia (1229–1245). Following the local refusal to abide to the 1243 Treaty of Alcazaz, a Castilian army led by the infante Alfonso of Castile took Cartagena by force in 1245 by means of

1566-403: The alcaldesa , who belonged to PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Español) party but were expelled of the party because they had made an agreement with Partido Popular party and Ciudadanos in order to compose the pleno . There are also committees named juntas vecinales in some localities and districts. Administrative centres are also available for inhabitants who don't live in the main town and

1624-580: The decumanus/cardo and the Augusteum . The Torre Ciega was built by the Romans for burials; it formed part of the Necropolis. The Roman Amphitheatre (1st century AD) was sited where the now-abandoned Bullring was built, but only some of the surrounding walls and part of the rooms under the stands are still visible. Recent work is revealing more evidence. Besides the Roman heritage, archaeological sights include

1682-427: The hot semi-arid climate and the hot desert climate , tending more towards the latter. Its location near the sea moderates the temperature, and annual precipitation typically does not surpass 300 mm (12 in). Cartagena has never recorded any temperature below freezing (below 0 °C (32 °F)) since records began. The annual average temperature goes up to around 19.2 °C (67 °F). The coldest month

1740-693: The varica de San José ( Narcissus tortifolius ). Among the animal species includes some threatened or endangered ones like the peregrine falcon , the Eurasian eagle-owl , the golden eagle and the Bonelli's eagle , the spur-thighed tortoise , the greater horseshoe bat and, especially, the Spanish toothcarp , a fish endemic to south-eastern Spain. In addition, the presence of the common chameleon (the only chameleon in Europe) has been documented for about 30 years, although it

1798-578: The Carthaginian period, like the remains of the Punic rampart (built in 227 BC with the foundation of the city), most of its oldest monuments date from the time of the Roman Empire when Cartagena flourished. The archaeologist Blanca Roldán studied this Punic Rampart and other Punic remains, especially on the Molinete Hill . Among its numerous Roman remains, the recently restored Roman theatre of Carthago Nova

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1856-573: The North. It is still an important naval seaport, the main military haven of Spain, and is home to a large naval shipyard. The confluence of civilizations, its strategic harbor, and the influence of the local mining industry have led to a unique historic, architectural and artistic heritage. This heritage is reflected in a number of landmarks of Cartagena, including the Roman Theatre , an abundance of Phoenician , Roman , Byzantine and Moorish remains, and

1914-402: The agreements in the municipality were aimed at waiters in 2012. As generally in Spain , the governors of the municipalities are indirectly elected on the day of municipal and regional elections, every four years. The D'Hondt system is used for allocating the governors from the votes. The body of all the elected councilors is named pleno and has 27 members in Cartagena. The head governor has

1972-422: The can perform some administrative processes there. They are located in some districts and localities and name is omitas . Thanks to its strategic position on the Mediterranean, Cartagena has been inhabited by many different cultures, which have left their mark on its rich cultural heritage during a glorious and turbulent history. The "Cartagena, Port of Cultures" initiative was created to allow visitors to enjoy

2030-647: The center of the Cantonal Revolution . Governmental forces besieged the city for several months until they surrendered. During the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), Cartagena was the main base of the Spanish Republican Navy and one of the primary strongholds of the Republican Government . It held out against the forces of General Francisco Franco longer than any other city in Spain, being

2088-584: The city into the main Spanish naval base in the Mediterranean, and is now the seat of the Polytechnic University. In the vicinity, there is the Autopsy Theatre, which is where anatomy classes used to be given. Rehabilitation for tourism provides for the interpretation of the nearby buildings at the time of their construction. These buildings and several other baroque or neo-classical buildings demonstrate

2146-534: The construction and the maintenance of the units of the Spanish Navy. The Naval Base was enlarged during the reign of Isabel II in 1849. In 1889, electricity was introduced into the arsenal. In 1918, the moats of the dry docks built by Feringán were developed as submarine docks, in which role they still serve. 37°36′04″N 0°59′33″W  /  37.6012°N 0.9926°W  / 37.6012; -0.9926 Hot semi-arid climate A semi-arid climate , semi-desert climate , or steppe climate

2204-464: The example of Rome. In the past, there was an inner sea between the hills called the Estero that eventually dried up. On this site, the "Ensanche" (Expansion or New Town) was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The urban area is delimited or crossed by several watercourses, some of which go deep into the urban network during a large part of their courses. Cartagena has a transitional climate between

2262-584: The highest levels of botanical biodiversity on the Iberian Peninsula . A number of surprising Ibero-African species, which are found only in southern Spain (mostly in the provinces of Murcia and Almería ) and North Africa. Among these, there stands out Tetraclinis articulata or Sandarac ( sabina mora or ciprés de Cartagena —Cartagena cypress in Spanish) native to Morocco , Algeria , Tunisia , Malta , and Cartagena, growing at relatively low altitudes in

2320-571: The lack of rainfall and the absence of water courses. During the Bronze Age there was a similar situation. The Argaric civilization inhabited the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula ( Región de Murcia and Almería ) during the Bronze Age. Nevertheless, they did not significantly occupy this municipality, there were few structures belonging to them and they had little relevance here. They lived in

2378-512: The last of its cities to surrender. The city saw its industrial activity increase during the 1950s, resulting in greater prosperity and this trend continued until a general decline in manufacturing throughout Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s. At the moment, Cartagena comprises part of the autonomous community of the Region of Murcia , and is the seat of the Regional Assembly of Murcia . It

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2436-525: The mid-30s to low 50s latitudes, typically bordering a humid continental climate or a Mediterranean climate . They are also typically found in continental interiors some distance from large bodies of water. Cold semi-arid climates usually feature warm to hot dry summers, though their summers are typically not quite as hot as those of hot semi-arid climates. Unlike hot semi-arid climates, areas with cold semi-arid climates tend to have cold and possibly freezing winters. These areas usually see some snowfall during

2494-966: The military importance of Cartagena. These include the Charles III Rampart, the Castillo de San Julián , the Arsenal, the Midshipmen's Barracks (academy and naval barracks), the Naval Headquarter Palace (built in 1740 and subsequently rebuilt) and the Artillery Headquarters, which also houses the Military Museum . Among the Baroque or Neo-classical Churches in Cartagena are El Carmen , Santo Domingo and Santa Maria de Gracia . Cartagena Naval Base The port of Cartagena , first founded by

2552-500: The mother city. It became a tributary community ( civitas stipendaria ). Julius Caesar gave the town Latin Rights , and Octavian renamed it in his honor as the colony Colonia Victrix Iulia Nova Carthago or Colonia Vrbs Iulia Nova Carthago (C. V. I. N. C.) depending on the source. The city was very relevant both in the Carthaginian and the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula . In 298 AD, Diocletian constituted

2610-424: The municipality was becoming less tractable. The districts are: Despite the intense mining, tourist and industrial exploitation that the area has suffered for centuries, the territory around Cartagena city hosts an extraordinary natural wealth and diversity, with a large number of botanical endemic species. Part of its area is subject to different levels of legal protection. Cartagena's coastal mountains have one of

2668-406: The name of alcalde (feminine, alcaldesa ). Since Cartagena is inhabited by more than 5,000 people, there is also a junta de gobierno local , the members are selected by the alcalde from the pleno . Currently, there are 9 members in the governing cabinet. Four members of the cabinet belong to Partido Popular party, one to Ciudadanos and there are also four nonpartisan politicians, including

2726-545: The northwest. The town was originally named Mastia . Possessing one of the best harbors in the Western Mediterranean, it was re-founded by the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal in 228 BC as Qart Hadasht ("New City"), a name identical to Carthage , for the purpose of serving as a stepping-off point for the conquest of Spain. The Roman general Scipio Africanus conquered it in 209 BC and renamed it as Carthago Nova (literally "New New City ") to distinguish it from

2784-511: The official population data, 14.73% of the municipality's population had a foreign nationality. Its metropolitan area, which includes the municipalities of La Unión , Fuente Álamo de Murcia , Los Alcázares , San Javier , Torre Pacheco , San Pedro del Pinatar and Mazarrón , has a total of 390,983 inhabitants. Economy activities related to energy are among the main ones in the municipality. They are located in Valle de Escombreras. This spot, which

2842-461: The population of the city grew from around 10,000 to 50,000 inhabitants. In 1757, during the Seven Years' War , a French naval force was forced to take shelter in the port. A squadron under Duquesne sent to reinforce them was attacked and defeated by a British squadron under Henry Osborn at the Battle of Cartagena . In 1873, the city established a self-governing Canton of Cartagena and become

2900-513: The province of Carthaginensis . Much of the historical significance of Cartagena stemmed from its coveted defensive port, one of the most important in the western Mediterranean. Cartagena has been the capital of the Spanish Navy's Maritime Department of the Mediterranean since the arrival of the Spanish Bourbons in the 18th century. As far back as the 16th century it was one of the most important naval ports in Spain, together with Ferrol in

2958-684: The remains of the Santa María la Vieja Cathedral , which was irreversibly destroyed during the Spanish Civil War . It dates from the end of the 13th century. The decorated floor of a Roman house of the 1st century BC can be found in the crypt. A Byzantine rampart can be found, close to the Roman Theatre and the Cathedral. The Concepción Castle (now Centre for the Interpretation of the History of Cartagena)

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3016-796: The winter, though snowfall is much lower than at locations at similar latitudes with more humid climates. Areas featuring cold semi-arid climates tend to have higher elevations than areas with hot semi-arid climates, and tend to feature major temperature swings between day and night, sometimes by as much as 20 °C (36 °F) or more. These large diurnal temperature variations are seldom seen in hot semi-arid climates. Cold semi-arid climates at higher latitudes tend to have dry winters and wetter summers, while cold semi-arid climates at lower latitudes tend to have precipitation patterns more akin to Mediterranean climates , with dry summers, relatively wet winters, and even wetter springs and autumns. Cold semi-arid climates are most commonly found in central Asia and

3074-411: The workers were hired as labourers in 2012. Shipbuilding has less weight than some centuries ago, but it is still moderately important. This is performed in the port of Cartagena, the main locality of the municipality. Plastic production is also performed, specifically in the northwest of the territory. The tertiary sector has risen during the last decades, specifically tourism and hotel industry. 14,12% of

3132-468: Was a major industrial complex by the 18th century, with shipyards and workshops, carrying out carpentry , rigging and blacksmithing , as well as crafts and fine arts workshops to produce ship ornamentation and decoration. In the second half of the 18th century, 21 ships, 17 frigates and more than fifty brigs , xebecs , hulks , galleys , etc. were built there, as well as a large number of smaller vessels. The Arsenal employed several thousand people in

3190-624: Was again inhabited during the Neolithic . The sites are Las Amoladeras and Calblanque . The south of the Alumbres district was also inhabited during that period. The archaeological site is located in the Cerro del Gorguel (hill) and in it remains of a characteristic Neolithic hamlet were discovered. The reasons for the dearth of human presence and structures in this municipality during the Neolithic period were

3248-485: Was briefly annexed to the Crown of Aragon , but returned to Castile by the Treaty of Elx in 1305, which fixed the final boundary between the kingdoms of Valencia and Murcia. Cartagena then lost its status as royal demesne and became a seigneurial jurisdiction, a situation which lasted until 1346. Cartagena did not fully recover until the 18th century, when it became a leading naval port in the Mediterranean. On 3 September 1643,

3306-684: Was occupied successively by the Vandals (409–425), the Visigoths (425–551 and 624–714) and the Eastern Romans (551–624), who made it the capital of Spania (the Byzantine Empire's westernmost province). Cartagena was re-conquered by the Visigoths, who held it until the Muslim conquest in 714 AD. By that time it was barely a fishing village. It was called Qartayannat-al-Halfa. It was subsequently ruled by

3364-407: Was reconstructed in the 13th century using large structures from the Amphitheatre. Apart from the Roman Theatre Museum, there are also two important archaeological museums: the Municipal Archaeological Museum and the recently opened Arqua (National Museum of Maritime Archaeology). The Campus Muralla del Mar , an old military hospital, was one of the first works carried out after the transformation of

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