Les Escaldes Explained

Official Name:Les Escaldes
Pushpin Map:Andorra
Pushpin Image:Andorra relief location map.jpg
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Andorra
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Parish
Subdivision Name1:Escaldes-Engordany
Population As Of:2005
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Coordinates:42.5°N 33°W
Elevation M:1053

Les Escaldes (in Catalan; Valencian pronounced as /ləz əsˈkaldəs/) or Escaldes is an urban area in Escaldes-Engordany parish, Andorra. It is located near the nation's capital, Andorra la Vella.

Overview

The name Les Escaldes comes from the presence of numerous hot springs, which produce highly sulphurous and nitrogenous waters at temperatures between 22and.[1] The hot springs were known by the Romans who used them for medical purposes.[1]

There was a textile industry from the Middle Ages, producing woven fabrics and umbrellas in several guilds. The area is also known for its traditional dance, the Santa Anna.[1]

In the 1800s some proposed establishing baths to take advantage of the natural hot springs, but there was resistance from the government of Les Escaldes, possibly for fear that visitors to the hot springs would bring diseases to Andorra.[2]

Nowadays Les Escaldes is home to the spa resort Caldea.

Education

The Spanish international primary school Escuela Española de Escaldes serves the community.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.enciclopedia.cat/fitxa_v2.jsp?NDCHEC=0024499&BATE=les%2520Escaldes Les Escaldes
  2. Book: Dalmau de Baquer . D. Luis . Historia de la República de Andorra . 1849 . Barcelona . 52 . Spanish.
  3. "Inicio ." Escuela Española de Escaldes. Retrieved on 2 May 2015. "FITER I ROSSELL, 18 AD700 – ESCALDES-ENGORDANY" – Map