León

=**Important Facts**= Flag of the Province of Castille and Leon

The city Leon is in the Northern Region of Spain. It sits at 42 degrees 59 minutes North Latitude and 5 degrees 57 minutes West Longitude. The altitude is 838 meters. The city population is 135,794 and the urban area has a population is 185,391 people. This region is set on a peculiar platform known as a meseta. The countryside is mainly flat but beautiful. There is an old saying "nueve meses de invierno y tres meses de infierno" "nine months of winter and three months of hell." Leon is located in one of the coldest areas in Spain. Leon recieves the most precipitation in its province. There is extreme heat in the summer and frigid cold in the winter. The climate seems a little like the weather in Wisconsin.

=**Fiestas and Traditions**= Leon is known for its architecture and cathedrals, some of the most beautiful in Europe. Because Leon is known for its cathedrals, Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is a large celebration that takes place every year around Easter. It is a ten day celebration that over 16,000 people participate in. The celebration culminates on Easter Sunday with the releasing of doves. Over thirty Processions take place through town, as well as poetry sessions, concerts, and speeches. This tradition dates back to the 16th Century. This is a picture of a procession during Semana Santa week.

The festival of San Juan is celebrated each year between June 20-24. It is a celebration for the arrival of the summer solstice on the shortest night of the year. There is a huge party thrown with bonfires, fireworks, music, and dancing.

=Politics of Leon= Leon has been traditionally a more reserved area of Spain which carries over into their politics. The people of the area are usually more conservative along with their political views. They are in favor of the monarchy and tradition. The mayor of Leon is Mario Amilivia from the Partido Popular Party. =Places of Interest= Leon has many places of interest. Leon is known for its beautiful cathedrals and monuments. It is also known for its buildings and structures throughtout the city. The Cathedral. Building started in the 13th Century and took over 200 years to complete. The Cathedral has an innumberable number of windows that are considered some of the most beautiful throughout the world.

The Convento de San Marcos is the former house of the Knights of Santiago. The origins date back to the 12th Century. It is a luxury hotel today that has the appearance of a museum. In the past the building has served as a hospital and a prison.

This is a picture of the town walls. They were contructed during Roman and Medieval times. The San Isidro Tower, pictured here, is one of the more famous structures and hold the interest of visitors. This is a picture of the Basilica de San Isidoro. This is the entrance to the Basilica de San Isidoro. =Famous People= Leon has the pleasure of having the President of the country be from their region. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was born in Valladolid on August 4, 1960. He studied law at the University of Leon as well. President Rodriguez Zapatero joined the PSOE party in 1979 and shortly after became General Secretary of the Socialist Federation of Leon and later served on the PSOE Federal Committee. In 1986 the President was elected as a member of Parliament of Leon. President Zapatero was elected General Secretary of the PSOE in July of 2000. On March 14, 2004 Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was elected president of Spain for the PSOE Party and has the privilege of leading Spain since then. =Food and Cuisine= Leon is in an area known for its lamb. It is prepared by roasting it in a clay dish with lard spread on it. Also salted water is sprinkled over it and roasted to perfection. Stews are also a favorite food in the area. One of the main ingredients in these stews is the chickpea. The chickpea is a staple of this area. Leon is in an area of the country that is known as "the land of bread". Leon has a history of baking many different kinds of bread and them being very tasty. Empanadas are also a very important food in the area. Empanadas are fish or meat pies that are very tasty.

This is a picture of a prepared lamb. This is a picture of a traditional lamb stew.