Ponferrada is a town in Spain, the capital of the council (comarca) of El Bierzo, in the province of León, on the Sil river, a tributary of the Miño , 42º32'40 N, 2º54'10 W, at 544m (1785 ft) above sea-level.

Economy

During the second half of the 20th century, its economy was based mostly on coal mining, but in the 1980s, many mines were closed, and Ponferrada's economy is now based on agriculture (especially the cultivation of fruit), wind power generation and mining. Ponferrada is on the Compostela Road which attracts many tourists to the city: tourism has thus become another important sector of the local economy.

History and Monuments

The Roman town was named Interamnium Flavium from its position at the confluence of the Sil and the Meruelo rivers — inter amnes is Latin for "between rivers". The city is noted for its Templar castle, and has several attractive medieval churches.

Tourism and Daily Life

Ponferrada hosts the annual festival of La Encina in early September. The city's football team, Ponferradina, competes in the Division 3 of the Spanish Soccer Federation. This season 2004/2005 the football team seems to be performing well, and might well be in second devision next year!

External Link

• Official Site