Valencia (region, Spain)

Valencia (region, Spain), autonomous region and former kingdom, southwestern Spain, comprising the present provinces of Valencia, Alicante, and Castellón. The city of Valencia is its capital. Upon the dissolution of the caliphate of Córdoba in the early 11th century, Valencia became an independent Moorish kingdom. Toward the close of the century it came under the rule of the Almoravids, who were supplanted in 1094 by the Christian Spanish hero El Cid. His death in 1099 forced his wife to give way to the Moors. In 1238 the city of Valencia again came under Christian control when it was taken by King James I of Aragón, who soon became master of the region as well. Although ruled by the kings of Aragón, Valencia remained autonomous until 1319, when it was united with Aragón. Area, 23,255 sq km (8,979 sq mi); population (2003) 4,470,885.