Illar is a municipality in the Almería province, an autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain.

Illar, Spain
View of Íllar
View of Íllar
Flag of Illar, Spain
Official seal of Illar, Spain
Illar, in red, shown in Almería
Illar, in red, shown in Almería
Illar, Spain is located in Spain
Illar, Spain
Illar, Spain
Coordinates: 36°59′N 2°38′W / 36.983°N 2.633°W / 36.983; -2.633
Country Spain
CommunityAndalusia
MunicipalityAlmería
Government
 • MayorAntonio Sánchez Salmerón (PP)
Area
 • Total19 km2 (7 sq mi)
Elevation
425 m (1,394 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total390
 • Density21/km2 (53/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)

Demographics edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1999468—    
2000474+1.3%
2001458−3.4%
2002457−0.2%
2003435−4.8%
2004423−2.8%
2005419−0.9%
Source: INE (Spain)

Geography edit

Íllar is located near the river Andarax, between Sierra de Gádor and Sierra Nevada. Its borders stretch from Huécija and Bentarique to the east, Instinción to the west, Alboloduy to the north, and a part of Bentarique to the south.[2]

History edit

Middle Ages edit

Íllar appeared to be named by the Andalusian geographer Idrisi in the 12th century for the purpose of colonization and to increase tax capacity. From the 13th century, when the Kingdom of Granada was the only Muslim territory in the Iberian Peninsula, Íllar formed a part, together with other 10 localities, of Marchena's taha, a traditional fief of the al-Nayar family.[2]

Renaissance edit

Íllar was conquered by Christian forces after the surrender of Baza and the capitulation of Almería in 1489. Marchena's former taha was granted as it rewarded Gutierre de Cárdenas [es] y Chacón by the Catholic Monarchs in 1494, for having taken part in the conquest. In the 16th century, a revolt took place, followed later the expulsion of the Muslims. After that, the locality remained uninhabited until the 17th and 18th century.[2]

Industrial age edit

The 19th century saw the rise of liberalism and the abolition of the dominions in 1835. Íllar and the rest of the localities of Marchena's former taha were constituted as municipalities. The period was characterized by population increase thanks to the growth of agriculture, facilitated principally by cultivation of grapes in Ohanes. Prosperity was reflected in several buildings of the middle class. The fountain, the washer in 1871, the Summer-house and the headquarters of the Town were constructed in historicist style. This economic growth continued until the 1930s, when it was interrupted as a consequence of a great drought and social problems connected with the Spanish Civil War and a hard postwar period characterized by a high rate of emigration.[2]

Administration edit

The municipality is administered through a City Council to which representatives are elected every four years by universal suffrage. The electorate consists of all the residents registered in Íllar of 18 years or older, natives of Spain, and citizens of other members of the European Union. As specified by the Ley del Régimen Electoral General (Law of the Electoral General Regime), Íllar's Municipal Corporation consists of 7 councillors. The headquarters is situated in the Plaza de la Constitución.

2007 municipal election edit

In the 2007 municipal election, the Partido Popular (People's Party, PP) won 5 councillors, and mayor Antonio Sanchez Salmerón was reelected. The Partido Socialista Obrero Español (Spanish Labour Socialist Labour Party, PSOE) won 2 councillors, while the Partido de Almería (PDAL), and the Grupo Independiente por Almería (Almería Independent Group, GIAL) did not obtain representation.[3]

Monuments edit

Civil monuments:

  • Fountain and washer (1871)[4]

Religious monuments:

  • Santa Ana's Church: A building constructed in the 16th century in the Mudéjar style. It features a wood vault and a small Baroque front made of stucco.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. ^ a b c d Diputación de Almería (ed.). "Historia de Íllar". Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  3. ^ "Jefatura del Estado". Boletin Oficial del Estado (in Spanish). No. 147. 20 June 1985. Archived from the original on 2008-06-25. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  4. ^ a b Diputación de Almería (ed.). "Monumentos de Íllar". Retrieved April 7, 2010.

External links edit