Albacete is a province situated in the southeast of the central Spanish meseta in the Autonomous region of Castilla la Mancha. Limited to the north by Cuenca, the east by Valencia and Alicante, to the south by Murcia and Granada and the west by Ciudad Real and Jaén. The capital city of the province goes by the same name of Albacete.

In terms of topography, the northern part of the province of Albacete is an extensive plain situated about 700 metres above sea level. In the southern part of the province mountainous zones, such as the Sierra de la Cabras de Nerpio, can reach above 2,000 metres above sea level. The main sierras are the Sierras Sierras de Alcaraz, Calar del Mundo, del Taibilla; and, to the east, the Cordillera de Montearagón and the la sierra del Mugrón de Almansa.

Albacete is a province that is also bounded both by the Atlantic and the Mediterrean, although only its rivers actually see the former ocean. The only other river that springs in Albacete, but which in this province is of little importance, is the Guadalquivir.

Historically Albacete’s history is rich in drama and events. During the Roman occupation, principal cities included Libisosa (Lezuza), Saltigi (Chinchilla de Monte-Aragón) and Illium (Hellin) and during the Islamic époque the province came under the influence of the Emirate of Córdoba. After the break up of the Islamic empire in Iberia large tracts of the province fell within the taifas of Denia and Murcia. Still later, Fernando III of Castilla later captured the major part of the province.

In 1833 Javier de Burgos, using the boundaries of the province of Chinchilla, created the province of Albacete, with its capital in Albacete. From its formation, the province actually formed as part of the Region of Murcia but, in 1978, the Autonomous Community of Castilla La Mancha was created and it was into this Region that Albacete was incorporated.

More information
http://www.albacetesiempreabierto.com/index.htm
http://www.lagunasruidera.com/index2.shtml

Routes and Places worth a Visit

The northernmost part of the Province of Almeria is known as Los Veloz. Dominated by the Sierra María Los Velez Mountains, this area of outstanding natural beauty has rightly been declared a Natural Park.

Albatana, a village of 900 inhabitants, is home to one of the most striking features within the are. In a park, known as Molino de Arriba, is a Roman aqueduct in excellent condition.

Important Fiestas

Albacete capital city: 24th June – Fiestas de San Juan, patron saint of the city. 8th of September, fiesta of the Virgin of the Llanos. 7th to the 17th September, the Feria of Albacete.