Ibi
Encyclopedia
Ibi is a town located in the comarca
of Alcoià
, in the province of Alicante, Spain
. As of 2009, Ibi has a total population of c. 24,000 inhabitants. The town, which is located 37 km from the city of Alicante
, is surrounded by mountains and gorges.
The economy
of Ibi is chiefly based on the toy
industry, the most important of this kind in Spain. As a result, many other related industries have also emerged in the last years: plastic
, metal
, machinery and so on. There are some factories of construction
materials, ice cream
s and tiger nut milk
, too. Some of the most important monuments in Ibi are the Catholic Church of the Transfiguration and the monument to the Three Wise Men
, possibly the only one in the world.
Ibi was also the location for the issue of both the 25 céntimos and 1 peseta by the Republicans during 1937. Worldwide, it is famous for the centuries of annual festival of Els Enfarinats
; in particular, the fight with flour and eggs.
Comarca
A comarca is a traditional region or local administrative division found in parts of Spain, Portugal, Panama, Nicaragua, and Brazil. The term is derived from the term marca, meaning a "march, mark", plus the prefix co- meaning "together, jointly".The comarca is known in Aragonese as redolada and...
of Alcoià
Alcoià
Alcoià is a comarca in the province of Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain.- Municipalities :*Alcoy/Alcoi*Banyeres de Mariola*Benifallim*Castalla*Ibi*Onil*Penàguila*Tibi...
, in the province of Alicante, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. As of 2009, Ibi has a total population of c. 24,000 inhabitants. The town, which is located 37 km from the city of Alicante
Alicante
Alicante or Alacant is a city in Spain, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of Alacantí, in the south of the Valencian Community. It is also a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 334,418, estimated , ranking as the second-largest...
, is surrounded by mountains and gorges.
The economy
Economic system
An economic system is the combination of the various agencies, entities that provide the economic structure that defines the social community. These agencies are joined by lines of trade and exchange along which goods, money etc. are continuously flowing. An example of such a system for a closed...
of Ibi is chiefly based on the toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
industry, the most important of this kind in Spain. As a result, many other related industries have also emerged in the last years: plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
, metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
, machinery and so on. There are some factories of construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
materials, ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
s and tiger nut milk
Horchata
Horchata or orxata is the name of several kinds of traditional beverage, made of ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley, or tigernuts .-Etymology:...
, too. Some of the most important monuments in Ibi are the Catholic Church of the Transfiguration and the monument to the Three Wise Men
Biblical Magi
The Magi Greek: μάγοι, magoi), also referred to as the Wise Men, Kings, Astrologers, or Kings from the East, were a group of distinguished foreigners who were said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh...
, possibly the only one in the world.
Ibi was also the location for the issue of both the 25 céntimos and 1 peseta by the Republicans during 1937. Worldwide, it is famous for the centuries of annual festival of Els Enfarinats
Els Enfarinats
The annual festival of Els Enfarinats takes place in the town of Ibi in Alicante, Spain on December 28, as part of celebrations related to the Day of the Innocents. In the day long festival, participants known as the Els Enfarinats dress in mock military dress and stage a mock coup d'état...
; in particular, the fight with flour and eggs.