La Rioja, Spain

1. La Rioja, Spain

2. La Rioja

3. Major Cities & Population • Population is around 323,609 people • Its capital is Logroño • Other major cities include Calahorra, Arnedo, Haro, Alfaro, Najera, Lardero, Villamediana de Iregua, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and Autol

4. Average Temperatures & Geographical Information • Both the rivers Oja & Ebro flow through this region • The Iberian Mountain Range extends through La Rioja • There are also fine pastures for farming and livestock and highlands with beech, oak, and pine trees • The average temperature ranges from 53-88° F

5. Economy • Agriculture – wheat, barley, grapes, asparagus, capsicum • Industry – tempered glass, wine, food preserves, footwear, charcuterie (meat products) • La Rioja Alta is a famous wine company in La Rioja

6. Famous Citizens • Gonzalo de Berceo was a famous poet back in the 1200’s • Domingo de Silos was a Spanish monk, referred to as a saint in the Catholic Church, the Abby of Santo Domingo de Silos was dedicated to him • FaustoElhuyer and his brother Juan Jose Elhuyer were Spanish chemists who discovered tungsten

7. History • Dinosaur footprints were found in the area of Cameros, where during the Early Cretaceous period, flooded plains drained, leaving behind dinosaur footprints

8. Food • Caparrones is a Spanish stew made of a kind of kidney bean called caparron. It also contains spicy sausage called chorizo.

9. Celebration • The Rioja Wine Harvest Festival takes place in Logroño • Traditions such as foot-crushing grapes and bull-running are offered

10. Historical Sites • Santa María la Real of Nájera is a monastery in Najera. Itwasanimportantpilgrimage stop onthe Camino de Santiago (TheWay of St. James) • Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada is a cathedraldedicatedtothe 12th century Saint Dominic de la Calzada

11. Activities • Go to the Vendimia and San Mateo Fiestas in September • Visit the CebolleraMountain Range National Park • Visit the Ocón Valley, which is a protected biosphere reserve