Villajoyosa
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Villajoyosa or La Vila Joiosa (in Catalan) is a coastal town in the province of Alicante, Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 59.2 km2 and, according to the 2002 census, a total population of 25,073 inhabitants. It is the historic and administrative capital of the comarca of La Marina Baixa and is located 32 km from the city of Alicante, in the coastal area known as Costa Blanca (White Coast). Villajoyosa, whose name literally means Joyful Village, has over three kilometers of beaches, including La Playa de la Vila, close to the city centre. The river Amadorio runs through Villajoyosa.
The area is famous for its chocolate industry and tourism. One of the most popular tourist attractions is its Gothic Catholic church, with a Baroque altar piece. It is also important for its festival of Moros y Cristianos, declared an International Tourist Interest Festival.
External Links
- La Vila Joiosa (http://www.lavilajoiosa.com/), in English, Spanish, Catalan, French and German.
- Reuters AlertNet (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L27438738.htm); on February 27th, 2005, a small bomb exploded at a hotel in Villajoyosa. No one was injured.