Castile–La Mancha

Castile–La Mancha is an autonomous community of Spain. Located in the central part of the country, it is the third largest Spanish autonomous community by area. It is bordered by Castile and León, Madrid, Aragon, Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia, and Extremadura. It is one of the most sparsely populated of Spain's autonomous communities.

History

The history of Castile–La Mancha dates back to the Roman Empire, when the area was part of the Roman province of Hispania Tarraconensis. The region was later conquered by the Visigoths and the Moors, before being incorporated into the Kingdom of Castile in the 11th century.

Geography

Castile–La Mancha is characterized by its vast plains, mountain ranges, and numerous rivers. The region is divided into five provinces: Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, and Toledo. The capital city is Toledo.

Economy

The economy of Castile–La Mancha is diverse, with agriculture, industry, and services all playing significant roles. The region is known for its production of wine, olive oil, and Manchego cheese, a type of cheese made from the milk of the Manchega sheep.

Culture

Castile–La Mancha is rich in cultural heritage, with numerous historical sites, festivals, and traditions. The region is famous for its association with the fictional character Don Quixote, from the novel by Miguel de Cervantes.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Castile–La Mancha is based on the products of the region, including Manchego cheese, wine, and olive oil. Traditional dishes include gazpacho manchego, a meat stew, and pisto manchego, a vegetable stew.

See also

• Autonomous communities of Spain
• Provinces of Spain
• Cuisine of Spain