General description of Font de la Figuera

Editor's note 11Feb13: Source D131-4.4

Location Font de la Figuera is located at southwest of Valencia province and has a total area of 84.34 hectares. Font de la Figuera is bordered on the north by the municipalities of Moixent and Enguera (Valencia province), at east with the municipalities of Fontanars de Alforins and Ontinyent (Valencia province), at south with municipality of Villena (Alicante province) and at west with Almansa (Albacete province). Font de la Figuera is located in Canyoles river valley (mainly agrarian area), separating Betics (SW) and Iberic System (NW) and Mountain ranges.

Climate, topography and hydrology

The average annual rainfall is about 600mm with a seasonal peak in spring and autumn. The main air temperature is mild (about 15 °C). The maximum monthly mean air temperature is 23 °C (August) and minimum monthly mean is 7–8 °C (December to February). Around 80% of the territory has an altitude between 500 and 800 m. with 15% lower than 500 m and above 5% higher than 800 m. Dominant aspects of the area are North (more than 40% of the area) and South (36.5% of the area). Slopes are Moderately Steep (25% of the area), rolling steep (23%). Flat areas cover less than 10%.

Hydrologically, the area is dominated by the Canyoles river, which crosses the municipality from west to east. Its tributary streams are sparse and come from valley sides to the floodplain.

Ecosystems and land use

Most of study area is covered by Forest (53%) and Crops (42%). About 40% of the study area (the northern part) is a Site of Community Importance for biodiversity while 0.03% is a Special Protection Area.

According to Corine Land Cover types, the area comprises of Complex cultivation patterns (29.18%) and Coniferous forest (28.71%) that are mainly located in valley sides, while Croplands are located in floodplain (Non-irrigated arable land, 11.03% or Vineyards (about 6%).

While the citrus orchards of Valencia originate in the 19th century, during the 80s and 90s they were expanded due to the introduction of drip irrigation and herbicides. These new orchards have been planted on slopes from 5 to 40%, facilitating significant soil and water losses. Fruit orchards and Herbaceous areas are the main categories of agricultural land in the area.

Population, employment and infrastructure

With 40% of the Canyoles river basin population, Font de la Figuera is the most populous municipality. Its population has decreased dramatically since the early 20th century (-55%) but has been stable during the last 15 years. Population density is now 25.56 people/km². People are generally older, as the country has long life expectancy, a low death rate, but also a low birth rate.

In this municipality the number of people in each age group is practically the same. Birth rate during the past decade, has varied between 5% and 10%. Over the same period, the value of the dependency ration indicator has fluctuated between 54.3% (2008) and 58.6% (2000). Its value is upper Spanish average for this period and greater than Spanish average (46–47%) for the same period.

While the total number of people employed has recently decreased, employment in the Tertiary sector has increased. Overall, there have been no significant changes in population aged 16 to 64 in the last decade, which helps explain the relative stability of labor force characteristics.

After continuous decline in unemployment rates until the end of the 20th century, over the past 11 years unemployment has increased, particularly in the tertiary sector (about 5% in 2011), and the secondary sector (about 20%). Unemployment in the agricultural sector has doubled between 2006 and 2011. Unemployment affects slightly more men than women. Ownership is the principal land tenure (about 50%).

Font de la Figura hosts two preschools, a primary school, school of music and adult education centre plus health centers.

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