Cáceres is the capital of Cáceres Province, in Extremadura, Spain (see map). Its 2007 census population was 91,606 inhabitants (88,245 in 2004 and 90,750 in 2006). The municipio has a land area of 1,750.33 km² (675.806 sq mi) and is the largest in geographical extent in Spain.
There have been settlements near Cáceres since prehistoric times. Evidence of this can be found in the caves of Maltravieso and El Conejar. The city was founded by the Romans in 25 BC.
The old town or Ciudad Monumental still has its ancient walls; this part of town is also well known for its multitude of storks' nests. The walls contain a perfect medieval town setting with no outward signs of modernity, for which reason many films have been shot there. The Universidad de Extremadura, and two astronomical observatories are situated in Cáceres. It is also a seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Coria-Cáceres.
Cáceres was declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO in 1986 because of the city's blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Thirty towers from the Muslim period still stand in Cáceres, of which the Torre del Bujaco is the most famous.
Cáceres is one of the cities competing for recognition as the European City of Culture in 2016.
Source: CIA Factbook, Wikipedia
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