Martos

For the Russian sculptor, see Ivan Martos.

Martos
—  Municipality  —
Flag Coat of arms
Martos Location in Spain
Coordinates: 37°43′N 3°58′W / 37.717°N 3.967°W / 37.717; -3.967Coordinates: 37°43′N 3°58′W / 37.717°N 3.967°W / 37.717; -3.967
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Andalusia
Province	Jaén
Comarca	Metropolitana
Judicial district	Martos
Government
- Alcaldesa	Custodia Martos Luque (2011) (PA)
Area
- Total	259.10 km2 (100 sq mi)
Elevation	753 m (2,470 ft)
Population (2008)
- Total	24,520
- Density	94.6/km2 (245.1/sq mi)
Demonym	Marteño/a, tuccitano/a
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	23600
Dialing code	(+34) 953 55 XX XX (+34) 953 70 XX XX
Official language(s)
Website	Official website

The city of Martos is located in the province of Jaén in the autonomous community of Andalusia in south-central Spain.

It has a population of 24061 inhabitants, making Martos the fifth largest municipality in the province. The city is located on a western peak of the Sierra Jabalcuz mountain range. It belongs to the metropolitan Area of Jaén, of which it is considered to be the second most important city after the capital.

Its economy is based on agriculture, in particular the cultivation of the olive tree. Martos is considered to be the first producer of olive oil of the world. Also important are various industries, especially those related to the treatment of plastic.

History

The city has been linked to the Roman settlement of Colonia Augusta Gemella, and starting in the 8th century was ruled by the Moors under various Islamic states for over 500 years. In 1225, King Ferdinand III of Castile and Leon captured the city from the Moors and incorporated it into his kingdom.

During the Middle Ages, Martos became a strategic place, and its defences were reinforced with the construction of numerous fortifications in the city.

"Torre del Homenaje" of the "Castillo de la Villa"

At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th, Martos underwent significant economic and urban development (reflected in the city's architecture), in large part due to the wealth derived from the industrial production of olive oil. Martos thus became one of the most prosperous cities of eastern Andalusia.

Torre-Campanario de la Villa

Economy

Since already it has been said, Martos possesses an agricultural immense richness thanks to the culture of the olive grove, which places the city in the summit as for production and quality of what is named a “liquid gold ".

Industrial Zone "Cañada de la fuente" in Martos

Nevertheless in the last years, the industry has done a great act of presence in the economy of this city, especially the relative one to the plastic, the industry of the car, metallurgists, the construction of roads, etc. Among all the existing factories in the city, it is necessary to emphasize the French multinational Valeo, dedicated to the production of projectors and lighting of vehicles, on which many other factories depend.

Festivals

Among the numerous festivals carried out in the city it is necessary to highlight:

• Holy week: Considered of tourist interest of Andalusia.
• San Bartolomé's festival: Principal festival. August
• Carnival
• San Amador: On May 5
• Virgin of the Villa: On the first Tuesday after Holy Week
• Saint Martha: On July 29
• Romería of the Virgin of the Victory: last weekend of May
• Festival of the olive: on December 8

References

"Martos". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved June 22, 2005.

• Servicio de basuras en Martos^{[dead link]}

External links

• WikiSatellite view of Martos at WikiMapia