Murcia

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Murcia is a city in southeastern Spain, and is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Murcia, on the Segura river. As of the 2003 census, the population of the city of Murcia proper was 391,146, and the population of the entire urban area was estimated to be 557,583, ranking as the 11th-largest urban area of Spain.

Lat: 37 59 N degrees min Lat: 37.983 degrees decim.
Long: 001 08 W degrees min. Long: -1.133 degrees decim.

Roman Catholic Holy Week in the city of Murcia is famous throughout Spain. Life-sized sculptures by Francisco Salzillo (1707-1783) are taken out of museums and carried around the city in elegant processions full of flowers and, at night, candles. These finely detailed sculptures portray events leading up to and including the crucifixion. Murcia is also known for its beautiful, handmade nativity figurines. Hannukah (the Jewish festival) is also celebrated by Murcias Jewish community in The Plaza Santo Domingo.

Murcia is also home of the Universidad de Murcia.

On-line editions of local newspapers are available. See La Opinión and La Verdad.