Cuenca Province, Province in Castile-La Mancha, Spain
Cuenca Province is a territory in Castile–La Mancha in central Spain, extending across broad plateaus and mountain ranges. The area includes dry farmland in the west and densely forested valleys in the east, where limestone formations shape the relief.
The province was created in 1833 during the reorganization of Spain, bringing together areas from the former region of New Castile. Its borders followed older ecclesiastical and lordship divisions that traced back to medieval kingdoms.
The name derives from the Latin Conca, referring to the natural basin between two rivers that shapes the terrain. Many villages maintain crafts such as basket weaving and wood carving, visible in workshops at the edge of settlements.
Roads connect villages over long distances, often without rest stops or fuel stations, so planning ahead is helpful for journeys through rural areas. Hiking trails in the mountains require sturdy footwear and enough water, as springs are rare.
Some remote villages are nearly abandoned, showing stone ruins that stand among gardens and overgrown fields. In the mountains, rare birds of prey such as the Egyptian vulture nest in rock walls that hikers often overlook.
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