From the 8th century, the city experienced Islamic rule and acculturation, with new irrigation systems and crops being introduced. It was later taken by the Aragonese Christians in 1238 and made the capital of the Kingdom of Valencia.
By the 18th century, Valencia had become a major hub for silk manufacturing. During the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1937, it served as the seat of the Spanish Government.
The port of Valencia is the 5th busiest container port in Europe and the busiest on the Mediterranean Sea, making it a Gamma-level global city, according to the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.
Its historic centre is one of the largest in Spain, measuring an area of approximately 169 hectares.
Home to many festivals and traditions, including the Falles, declared a Fiestas of National Tourist Interest of Spain in 1965 and an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in November 2016, Valencia is currently under the rule of Joan Ribó of Compromís, who has been mayor since 2015.
