Extremadura
The surface of Extremadura happens to be almost exactly the same as Holland. Approximately 1.1 million people are living here. That means Extremadura has a relatively low population density of 26 people per square kilometre, while almost nobody is living outside the towns and villages! That means the area between the villages is totally empty. For comparison, in Holland there are 16.4 million people, so every square kilometre has to be shared with 394 others. An Englishman has to share a square kilometre of his lovely country with 377 others. The Germans have a bit more space: 231 humans per square kilometre, but they are still stuck with their climate!
the mighty river La Guadiana
In the past Extremadura was a less developed area, at least in an economical way. People led an uncomplicated life which wasn´t always that easy. What has stayed the same these days is that people living in the northern countries are aware of this fact. What has changed are the mentioned circumstances! In an amazingly short time Spain has developed, and virtually everybody made some profit from it. Life is much more comfortable nowadays, the infrastructure has a high level of quality, there are several universities around, medical centers are quite modern, and new businesses are founded on every corner. Also it appears there isn´t any serious lack water, like in some other parts of Spain, because of the mighty rivers that flow through the provinces.
So the image most people have of Extremadura, just isn´t completely right. Even stronger, a lot of people couldn´t show it on the map. Well, this is just why it is so interesting! What doesn´t exist anymore at the coastal areas is found in abundance in Extremadura: low prices, hospitable people, green nature, not too many restricted laws concerning building, chances to start a business, etc. The Extremeños sometimes make fun of Extremadura and say that it actually has an enormous amount of coast line; there are a lot of reservoirs and artificial lakes which can be enjoyed for recreational purposes.
a nice market in Mérida
A certain, expanding, group of people, however, have discovered Extremadura in the meanwhile. It is the immigrants who had moved to the coasts of Spain some ten years ago. Now they are fed up with it. They speak some Spanish and have started to realize that there is more to be discovered in Spain than the beach lifestyle which dominates life at the coast. Many original “coastal immigrants” have started to orientate themselves to Extremadura. They are selling their coastal properties for a huge profit to do another good investment here.