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Spain: Extremadura

Overview

Extremadura (population 1.08 million) covers an area of 41,602km2 (16,064mi2) in the extreme west of Spain, bordering Portugal and contains the provinces of Badajoz and Cáceres. Main towns include Badajoz, Cáceres, Cuidad Rodrigo, Guadalupe, Mérida (the capital), Placencia, Trujillo (birthplace of Trujillo) and Zafra. It’s the most wild and isolated region, and the poorest, although its remoteness (and the protection afforded by the surrounding mountains) has helped preserve it from invaders and the modern world. Today it’s the purest, most Spanish region (the best of ‘old’ Spain), birthplace of many of the conquistadors (such as Cortés and Pizarro) who explored and conquered South America.

Extremadura is noted for its abundance of stunning wild landscapes, ancient towns virtually untouched by modernity, and authentic country food. It has a rich history and a wealth of historic, unspoilt towns such as Cáceres (ringed by Moorish walls and watchtowers), one of the best preserved towns in Spain, and Mérida, one of the most important cities in Roman Spain with a plethora of well-preserved Roman remains, including a beautiful theatre. Extremadura is one of the most attractive and unspoilt regions where the verdant northern sierras run south into rolling hills, forests and reservoirs, abounding with rare wildlife, wild thyme and eucalyptus. In spring, the Jerte Valley is a sight not to be missed, when a million cherry trees are in blossom.

The main industry is dry (not irrigated) farming such as olives, cork, cotton, tobacco and vines, plus livestock grazing, wheat, fruit and vegetables, food processing and diverse trade with Portugal. It’s Spain’s main production area for beef and pork (plus sheep farming) and the source of its most prized hams, the celebrated pata-negra. Extremadura (which aptly means ‘severe extremes’) is very hot in summer with little rain and experiences severe winters, when it rains frequently in the mountains and snows in the Sierra Guadalupe and the Peña de Francia. Although neglected by most foreigners (the ability to speak Spanish is a must), it’s a fascinating area to visit. The region has poor communications with the rest of Spain, but these are improving (albeit slowly) and is of little interest to foreign homebuyers, although there are some real bargains (e.g. €40,000 for a country house) and British buyers have just discovered Extremadura.

© Survival Books Limited 2005

“Buying a Home in Spain 2006” 5th Edition, David Hampshire.

Reproduced with the permission of Survival Books Limited.

Further information on this topic can be found in “Buying a Home in Spain 2006” 5th edition, by David Hampshire.

For extensive, annually updated information about buying a property in Spain, you can purchase this book at www.survivalbooks.net

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