Baix Vinalopó

The Baix Vinalopó (Valencian: [ˈbajʒ vinaloˈpo], also [ˈbaʒ-]; Spanish: Bajo Vinalopó [ˈbaxo βinaloˈpo]; lit. "Lower Vinalopó") is a comarca in the province of Alicante (Valencian Community, Spain). It is bordered by the comarques of Vinalopó Mitjà and Alacantí on the north and Vega Baja del Segura on the south. Its capital is the city of Elche (Elx in Valencian), with a population of 232,517 in 2019.^[1] The other major towns in the comarca are Crevillent/Crevillente and Santa Pola.

Baix Vinalopó Baix Vinalopó (Valencian) Bajo Vinalopó (Spanish)
Comarca
Coordinates: 38°15′42″N 00°42′11″W
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Valencian Community
Province	Alicante / Alacant
Capital and largest city	Elche / Elx
Municipalities	3 municipalities Elche / Elx, Crevillent / Crevillente, Santa Pola
Area
• Total	488.78 km2 (188.72 sq mi)
Population  (2019)[1]
• Total	293,775
• Density	600/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)

Vinalopó river flows through this comarca giving its name to it, even though nowadays is just a tiny stream more than a proper river. The territory is mostly flat except for some of the last ranges belonging to the Baetic System which appear here near the border with the neighbouring comarcas Vinalopó Mitjà, following a general southwest–northeast trend. The highest peaks are found in the Serra de Crevillent (Sierra de Crevillente), a mountain range close to Crevillent/Crevillente, being its highest the Sant Gaietà with its 816 metres, a local hiking attraction.

Its climate is dry, with scarce rainfalls—below the Mediterranean climate threshold—which happen mostly in Autumn and Spring amounting an average of 250–300 mm per year and showing relatively warm mean temperatures. Among the herbaceous species, esparto and shrub deserve to be mentioned due to their industrial value in the past. Some important natural places are the swamps in the lower part of the comarca known as El Fondo Natural Park and the Salines de Santa Pola Natural Park, both Ramsar sites.

The comarca is highly industrial, especially in its capital, Elche/Elx, and also in the town of Crevillent/Crevillente. Agriculture is also an important activity in the area. In the coastline around Santa Pola the main activity is tourism, fisheries and sea salt.

Municipalities

The comarca contains just three municipalities, listed below with their areas and populations:

Name	Area in km2	Population (2001)[2]	Population (2011)[3]	Population (2019)[1]
Crevillent / Crevillente	104.55	24,786	28,269	28,952
Elche / Elx	326.07	194,767	227,417	232,517
Santa Pola	58.16	19,782	32,454	32,306
Totals	488.78	239,335	288,140	293,775

Municipalities of Baix Vinalopó

Torre de Tamarit in Salines de Santa Pola Natural Park

References

1. Official estimate as at 1 January 2019: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Madrid, 2019.
2. Census of 1 November 2001: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Madrid, 2019.
3. Census of 1 November 2011: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Madrid, 2019.