Chelva

Historia

Chelva is a municipality in the comarca of Los Serranos in the Valencian Community, Spain. Its name in Valencian is Xelva, but the local language is Spanish and not Valencian.GeographyChelva has an area of about 192 km2. The town is located in the middle of the mountains, and about 52% of its area is covered by typical Mediterranean woodlands. Two rivers flow through the municipality: one with the same name of the village (Chelva), and the other the Turia River, which flows to the Mediterranean via Valencia. The rivers do not meet in Chelva, but rather in adjacent Domeño.The municipality is also home to several notable summits: the Cerro de la Nevera (1259m), La Atalaya (1157m), and the Pico del Remedio (1054m). There are also several natural springs; the most well known are: Berra, Gitana, Gorgol, Sabina, and Cortina.Chelva has a semiarid Mediterranean climate, with some rain in autumn and spring. In winter, it is cold, and in parts of the mountains snow is common.DemographySince 1794—when its population was 7,200 inhabitants—the census has registered a gradual decline in population, to a total of less than 2000 inhabitants today. The population is distributed in the main city of Chelva as well as a few nearby villages: Villar de Tejas, Ahíllas, Alcotas, Mas de Caballero, Mas de Sancho, and El Cerrito.