Álava

Álava, also known as Araba in the Basque language, is a province in northern Spain and one of the historical territories of the Basque Country. It has a rich history, dating back to ancient times when it was known as the Lordship of Álava. Today, it is officially called Araba/Álava.

The capital city of Álava is Vitoria-Gasteiz, which is also an important political center for the entire Basque Autonomous Community. This means that many key government offices for the region are located there.

Álava shares borders with several other areas. To the north, it neighbors the Basque provinces of Biscay and Gipuzkoa. To the south lies La Rioja, while to the west is the province of Burgos, part of the larger region of Castile and León. On the eastern side, Álava borders Navarre. Despite these surrounding areas, there is a small part called the Enclave of Treviño that belongs to the province of Burgos, even though it is surrounded by Álava’s land.

In terms of size, Álava is the largest of the three provinces in the Basque Autonomous Community, covering an area of 3,037 km². However, it is also the least populated, with around 331,700 people living there as of 2019.

Etymology

The name of Álava may come from an old Roman mansion called Alba, located near the village of Albéniz close to Agurain. Another idea, supported by the Royal Academy of the Basque Language, suggests the name started in Muslim records from the eighth century. These records mentioned the Alavese Plains, using an old Basque word laua (now lautada) together with an Arab article "al". This combination eventually led to the names Álava in Spanish and Araba in Basque.

Physical and human geography

Álava is an inland territory with a mix of climates, changing from the wetter north near the Ebro River to drier areas farther south. The land can be divided into five main parts: the green Gorbea Foothills, low and dry Valleys, the central Plains around Vitoria and Salvatierra-Agurain, the tall and wooded Alavese Mountains, and the southern Alavese Rioja known for its vineyards.

Most of Álava’s rivers flow into the Ebro, including the Zadorra and Bayas Rivers. Over time, Álava has changed from a farming area to one with more industry and services. Today, many people work in factories and offices, especially around Vitoria-Gasteiz and smaller towns like Amurrio and Laudio.

Demography and rural landscape

The province of Álava has 51 municipalities and a population of 315,525 people spread over an area of 3,037 km². Most people live in the capital city, Vitoria-Gasteiz, which is also the main city of the Basque Autonomous Community. The rest of the land has fewer people, with small communities located in seven areas called counties: Añana; Ayala/Aiara; Campezo/Kanpezu; Laguardia; Agurain/Salvatierra; Vitoria-Gasteiz; Zuia.

A 2021 sociolinguistic survey found that 22.4% of the adult population spoke Basque, an increase of six percentage points since 2011. Population development The historical population is given in the following chart:

Most populated municipalities (2021) Position Municipality Inhabitants 1st Vitoria-Gasteiz 253,093 2nd Llodio 18,009 3nd Amurrio 10,307 4th Agurain 5,029 5th Iruña Oka 3,468 6th Oion 3,418 7th Aiara 2,951 8th Dulantzi 2,925 9th Zuia 2,318 10th Legutio 1,993 11th Artziniega 1,809 12th Zigoitia 1,802 13th Asparrena 1,633 14th Labastida 1,532 15th Laguardia 1,464

Government

Juntas Generales

The Juntas Generales of Álava serve as the unicameral assembly of the province. The head of the Foral Deputation is called the deputy general of Álava.

Administrative divisions

See also: List of municipalities in Álava

Álava is a province in Spain and part of the Basque Country. It is surrounded by other areas like Biscay, Gipuzkoa, La Rioja, Burgos, and Navarre. The main city, Vitoria-Gasteiz, is very important because it holds key government offices for the whole Basque region.

History

See also: County of Álava

Álava has a rich history. It was once known as the Lordship of Álava, ruled by various leaders over many centuries. Some of these rulers were part of larger kingdoms like Castile or Navarre.

Álava also has an important ecclesiastical history. In the eighth century, after Arab invasions, a new diocese called Álava or Armentaria was created. This area had its own bishops until the diocese was merged into another in 1088. Later, it became part of the Diocese of Calahorra. Today, Álava is recognized by the Catholic Church as a titular see, meaning it no longer has its own bishops but is remembered in church records.

During the Spanish Civil War, Álava and its capital Vitoria were captured by the Nationalists in July 1936. Later efforts by Republicans to retake the city were unsuccessful. The Nationalists used Vitoria as a base for military operations, including support from German aircraft.