Where in the world is Tudela, Navarra?

As many of you already know, I am moving to Spain in September to teach English. Today seemed like a good day to start my blog since exactly three months from today I will be in Madrid for my first day of orientation! Here are some fun facts about my new home:

Tudela is located in the autonomous community (equivalent of US state) of Navarra. The name Navarra likely comes from the combination of two Basque words: “naba” meaning “flat land surrounded by mountains” and “herri” which means “people.” Located in the northeastern corner of Spain, it borders France, and the autonomous communities País Vasco, La Rioja, and Aragón. The northern part of Navarra speaks both Basque and Spanish, but in the southern part, where I´ll be living, only Spanish is spoken. Both in terms of square kilometers and population, Navarra is about half the size of NH. 

Navarra was its own kingdom, the Reino de Navarra, from the 800s until it was conquered by Fernando and Isabel (of Castilla and Aragón, the same ones who sent Christopher Columbus to the New World) in 1512. Navarra maintained much of their independence and regional autonomy, as Castilla allowed them to maintain their historic laws or feuros. These fueros are still acknowledged by the Spanish constitution, giving Navarra and neighboring País Vasco a greater degree of autonomy than the rest of Spain.

Navarra is the number one autonomous community in Spain for renewable energy. As of 2006, over 70% (!!) of the region´s energy came from renewable sources. They are projected to be the first region of Europe to reach 100% and be entirely self-sufficient in renewable energy (Step up your game, US!) Navarra also has the lowest unemployment and poverty rates in Spain and the highest life expectancy (and has for over thirty years) with 85 years for women (about 5 years more than in the US). Also, per person, Navarra produces more La Liga soccer players than any other autonomous community. 

Located in southern Navarra, Tudela has a population of about 35,000 and is the second largest city in Navarra, after Pamplona. It’s about an hour from four major cities: Zaragoza (Aragón), Logroño (La Rioja), Soria (Castilla-León), and Pamplona (the capital of Navarra, also of Hemingway/Running of the Bulls fame). Tudela is also about 2 hours away from France and the Atlantic coast and about 3.5 hours from Madrid and Barcelona. Basically, the location is amazing.

The area was settled by the Celt-Iberians and Romans and was later an important Arab city for about 300 years until it was conquered by the Christians in 1119. Tudela was the last city to surrender to Fernando and Isabel in their conquest of Navarra in 1512, making it the last city in peninsular Spain to become part of the Spanish kingdom.  

Their biggest festival is for Santa Ana, their patron saint, and coincidentally starts on my birthday every year. Best birthday party ever, right? It lasts for a week and is a lot like the San Fermines in Pamplona. Tudela is also famous for its vegetables and actually has an entire week each spring dedicated to celebrating them.

I´ll be teaching at Colegio Anunciata in Tudela. If you want to see what the school looks like, check out this video!