Vilanova i la Geltrú

infobox catalan municipio
location_

province=Barcelona
comarca=Garraf
population=61,427
population_year=2001
area=33.50
population_density=1834
elevation=22
demonym="n/a"

Vilanova i la Geltrú is in the province of Barcelona.

A major Catalonian fishing port with a growing population of approximately 62,000, the town is situated 40km south-west of Barcelona, with the more famous coastal resort of Sitges some 10km to the north-east.The town has a long and colourful history, reaching its heyday during the Romantic period. During the rule of General Franco the Catalan language was banned and the town renamed "Villanueva y Geltrú".

Vilanova i la Geltrú is a busy modern town, with well-established textile and paper industries. It also has iron foundries and an important agricultural sector. The harbour affords safe and deep anchorage; it is a lifeboat station and the headquarters of a large fishing fleet. The coasting trade is also considerable. Vilanova has a museum, founded by the Catalan poet, historian and diplomat, Víctor Balaguer (1824-1901), which contains collections of Roman, Egyptian and prehistoric antiquities, as well as paintings, engravings, sculptures, coins and a large library.

Apart from some renowned seafood restaurants, Vilanova is a recognised centre for Xató, a winter salad dressed with a rich sauce made from almonds, olives, fish, oil and garlic, which forms the basis for the Festival of Xató ("Xatonada") in tandem with nearby villages and towns. Other notable festivals include "Festa Major" in early August and "Carnaval" (late February) which includes "Les Comparses", in which good-humoured rival groups throw boiled sweets (candies) at each other. But the most important festival in this town is "Festival Internacional de Música Popular Tradicional", Vilanova International World Music Festival, that is held since 1981 and it is the oldest world music festival in Spain.

Demography

infobox catalan municipio demography
pop_1900=11,856
pop_1930=16,400
pop_1950=19,483
pop_1970=35,714
pop_1986=44,977
pop_latest=61,427
latest_year=2001

References

* Panareda Clopés, Josep Maria; Rios Calvet, Jaume; Rabella Vives, Josep Maria (1989). "Guia de Catalunya", Barcelona:Caixa de Catalunya. ISBN 84-87135-01-3 (Spanish). ISBN 84-87135-02-1 (Catalan).
*1911

External links

* [http://www.poblesdecatalunya.cat/Garraf/ Artistic and historical buildings] (in Catalan)
* [http://www.vilanova.org City hall web page]
* [http://www.carpajuanita.com Museum de Maritime Curiosities Roig Toquès. With the famous Carpa Juanita]
* [http://www.vilanova.cat/fimpt Vilanova International World Music Festival]