Canals, Valencia

Canals
Municipality

Coat of arms
Canals

Location in Spain

Coordinates: 38°57′40″N 0°35′6″W / 38.96111°N 0.58500°W / 38.96111; -0.58500Coordinates: 38°57′40″N 0°35′6″W / 38.96111°N 0.58500°W / 38.96111; -0.58500
Country  Spain
Autonomous community  Valencian Community
Province Valencia
Comarca Costera
Judicial district Játiva
Government
 • Alcalde Ricardo Cardona (2007) (PP)
Area
 • Total 21.90 km2 (8.46 sq mi)
Elevation 160 m (520 ft)
Population (2009)
 • Total 13,941
 • Density 640/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Canalí(catalán) Canalense (castellano)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 46650
Official language(s) Valenciano

Canals is a municipality (pop., INE 2007: 13,771) in the comarca of Costera in the Valencian Community, Spain.

It shares borders with the municipalities of l'Alcúdia de Crespins, Cerdà, la Granja de la Costera, Xàtiva, Llanera de Ranes, Montesa, Torrella and Vallés (in the same comarca) and with Aielo de Malferit and l'Olleria (comarca of Vall d'Albaida).

Geography

Canals is located in the valley of Montesa, between the Grossa mountains and la Costera. The highest points are in la Serra Grossa, where we can find the peaks of l'Atalaia (556 m) and la Creu (520 m), on the municipal boundary with Olleria. The Cànyoles River crosses the town in the west-northeast direction; the Sants River begins its course close to town, where it divides into two channels (sèquies) that bring water to Xàtiva and the fields of Canals.

The village lies on the left bank of the Cànyoles river. Canals and l'Alcúdia de Crespins together form a conurbation.

From València you can reach Canals taking the A-7 highway

Towns of the municipality

History

Some evidence of Roman civilization has been found. During the year of Muslim occupation it was a very important "alqueria" owned by Xàtiva.

Then in the Christian era, in 1244, king James I gave Dionís of Hungary the tower and the small village of Canals and created the new lordship of the Señorío de Torre de Canals. Dionis of Hungary gave the king the castle in the valley of Veo and also the castle of Ain and other territories. The Christian resettlement was made by Catalans. On July 30, Peter IV "el Cerimoniós" gave the place to Raimon de Riusech taking it from Joan Eximenis d'Urrea, with the condition that if he had no male descendents it would be given back to the crown, but in the end it was sold to Xàtiva, with the king's approval on February 19 of 1353 as a barony. During the rule by Xàtiva there were continuous tributary conflicts. In the year 1506 Xàtiva bought La Torreta.

In 1552 during the Germanic Revolts, Canals was used by the viceroy as his headquarters to attack Xàtiva, where the 'Encobert' was hidden. Many prisoners were taken from Xàtiva to Canals. In 1639 Phillip IV, paid Xàtiva 20.000 pounds, and gave independence to Canals as a village (vila). In the 19th century Canals developed industry, with 24 glass factories, a paper factory, metal workshops, flour mills, and cloth sellers. In the 20th century this industrial activity increased with oil, furniture, construction materials, leather and cloth production.

Demography

Canals demography evolution
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1981 1991 1996 2002 2006 2007
4.695 4.8574.967 5.261 5821 6.1767.3509.080 11.151 12.185 12.886 13.040 13.150 13.771

People from Canals

Main article: Route of the Borgias

Economy

The economy is divided into agriculture (oranges), industry famous for its clothing and leather production (Ferry's, Rodrigo Sancho S.A.), and marble. Today the industry is almost dead with the main companies having closed down: Ferry's (2007), Argent (2008), Rodrigo Sancho S.A. (2010), and many others.

Pottery has also been very important, and has given the people from Canals the nickname of "perolers" (potters).

External links

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