By ConversaSpain
Everyone has heard of Spain, otherwise, you would not be here. However, did you know that the country is divided into communities, provinces, pueblos..? If you want to understand Spain’s different locations or if you are an auxiliar who knows nothing about the country, keep reading!
To understand the different areas within a community, we have to understand what a community is as well. The country is divided into -what we call- autonomous communities: there are 17 of them -plus two autonomous cities located in North Africa: Ceuta and Melilla.
Some of those communities are also divided into provinces, while some others are just one whole province. The Community of Madrid is a single province, just like the Region of Murcia. The Community of Castilla-La Mancha, though, consists of five different provinces: Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, and Toledo, and, the Community of Castilla y León is the biggest one consisting of nine provinces: León, Zamora, Salamanca, Palencia, Valladolid, Ávila, Burgos, Segovia, and Soria.
In the map, you can see the communities: same-colored areas. Within the same-colored areas, you can see different names and lines: those are the provinces. As you see, there is only one province in Madrid (blue in the middle) and Murcia (green) while Castilla La Mancha (orange) has five of them, and Castilla y León (purple), consists of nine.
What to Expect in Each of These Areas
Biggest Areas in Spain: The City
There are all types of cities in Spain: some are coastal cities, others can get a bit hectic and some others hold an important historical background. However, in all of them, you will be able to enjoy the perks of an urban lifestyle and the leisure possibilities it offers. Everything has pros and cons, though, and accommodation and other expenses will be higher than in other areas.
Who does not know Madrid city? However, not everyone knows that Madrid is also a community. The main city, the capital of Spain has the same name as the region, though.
The same thing happens in Murcia. Murcia is the capital of Murcia’s Region. But there are other cities within the community like, for example, Cartagena.
In Castilla-La Mancha, no city shares the name as the community’s official name. However, of course, there are also cities like Toledo, Almansa, or Talavera de la Reina.
Same as in Castilla-La Mancha, in Castilla y León no city shares the exact name as the community’s one, however, there is a city called León. There are plenty of other ones such as Burgos, Salamanca, or Soria.
Understanding Your Community: What Are The Outskirts?
Living in the outskirts is like almost living in the city but cheaper. You will find the comfort of the city without the frenzy. The outskirts have all types of amenities within easy reach. Besides, housing prices are pretty reasonable! There are -usually- good connections and public transportation and commuting is an option.
For example, in Madrid, some of these areas like Getafe, Leganés, or Alcobendas connect with each other and the city center either by metro or Cercanías.
Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha, or Castilla y León, might not be as well-connected as Madrid, but there is still good public transportation and commuting from the outskirts is still an option.
Besides, there are lots of beautiful areas in these communities that fall under “outskirts” category like Espinardo or Puente Tocinos in the Region of Murcia; Chozas and Calera in the Community of Castilla-La Mancha; and Astorga in Castilla y León.
Spain’s Purest Areas: The Pueblos
If what you are looking for is to immerse yourself in the Spanish culture, then a pueblo is the perfect place for you. Here, the cost of living will be cheaper and you will experience the most authentic and charming Spanish way of life. Besides, if you enjoy nature, pueblos usually offer lots of opportunities to be in touch with it.
Almost everyone in Spain is from a pueblo -their grandparents were born there- and loves to spend time outside the city. Within the frantic Community of Madrid, if one wants to get away, there are beautiful towns like Buitrago de Lozoya or Cercedilla.
A pretty similar thing happens in Murcia. However, some of those towns are by the sea like the town of San Javier or Águilas while others are interiores, which means inside the Region. Like, for example, Lorca.
In Castilla-La Mancha, each province has lots of pueblos. Some of them are very famous because of Don Quixote and its windmills like Consuegra. A lot of cultural and fun activities -like town fairs- are held in villages like Quintanar de la Orden or Manzanares amongst many others.
Castilla y León is also known for its beautiful pueblos. Some of its most well-known ones are Pedraza, in Segovia or Frías, in Burgos. Here, you can find more ideas on towns to visit if placed in Castilla y León. There is always something going on in these villages!
The Most Important Thing: Having an Open Mind
No matter where you end up going to, having an open mind is key. Just as with everything in life, all locations have pros and cons. You can make the most out of each one! Let yourself discover, wonder, and, who knows, it might surprise you!
Did you know all about these locations? Did we miss on something? Let us know!
