Only four large cities in the Costa Blanca were saved last year from a demographic decline in the Valencia region, specifically Benidorm, Denia, Elda and Alcoy, according to final data from the Municipal census offered by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

In order of growth are Denia and Benidorm, which in 2006 won a 2.7 and a 2.1% population growth-compared to 2.4 and 0.2% from a year earlier, in addition to Elda and Alcoy that maintained their population they only grew by 0.3 and 0.2% - but they didn’t lose population as they did in 2005.

The population growth in the Valencia region during 2006, which was 1.6% (one third lower than in the previous year) mainly benefited the middle-sized cities-or population between 20,000 and 30,000.

Nine of the 12 municipalities that more populated during 2006, among the 58  which have more than 20,000 neighbors in the Comunitat are of average size. Among these dozen, only Gandia, which grew by 3.5%, Sant Vicent de Raspeig (3.4%) and Orihuela (3.2%) are big cities.

Onda, with a rate of 7.2%, was the town that grew most among the  58 most populated of the Valencian Community. Other cities who also enjoyed growth were Santa Pola, Mutxamel, Almassora and Calpe.

Source Levante EMV-Way

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Most of Christmas has passed, but in the Costa Blanca Christmas is not over until the Three Kings parade runs through our streets.

The town of Alcoy Alicante lives these dates as any. Their Three Kings parade besides being declared Fiesta of National Tourist Interest, it is also the oldest in Spain, with over one hundred years of history.

The first act of the trilogy alcoyana of the Three Kings took place last Sunday with ‘Les Pastoretes’. Tomorrow, January 4, they will celebrate pregón, also known as the Ban. The royal ambassador is responsible for announcing the arrival of their Majesties to the city.

After the announcement, the children turn n their cards to the messenger who will deliver them to the Kings that night.

On the 5^th of January, their Majesties arrive to the city with hundreds of gifts, accompanied by a large entourage and wrapped in a fascinating magical halo . The so-called negres, are then responsible for the long climb up stairs of balconies to deliver the gifts to children.

A very special and beloved spectacle, where intense emotions are lived and that you can not miss. Experience the Three Kings Parade and see how dreams can come true.

Source Valencia

Photo captured in Flickr by Colin Angun Mackay

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A total of 12,363 of schools and high schools of the Costa Blanca and all over the Valencian Community in general will attend the 137 showings of the Belen of Tirisite in Alcoy. This very festive function with marionettes is part of the cultural interests. The representations will begin next Friday and will end the 21st of December in the stage of the Principal theatre of Alcoy. These showings take many of the traditions of the Costa Blanca and specially the interiors of the province.

This year, there will not be any phone ticket sales, there will be 50 tickets on sale through the ServiCam. If you have kids you know what to so, I highly recommend this event, the children will have fun.

When all the Christmas presentations are over, the principal act of the Belen called Tirisiti, will initiate a world tour in company of the theatre association for infancy and youth, that recently received a national price. The first stop will be New Delhi and later a visit to Mexico and China.

Source Levante-EMV

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