# La Carolina

> municipality of Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q649981](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q649981)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Carolina)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-carolina

## Summary
La Carolina is a municipality located in the province of Jaén, Spain, within the historic region of Andalusia. It was founded as part of the Intendancy of New Populations of Andalusia and Sierra Morena in 1767, making it a key settlement in Spain's colonial and agricultural expansion efforts.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Situated in the Navas de Tolosa region of Jaén Province, Spain.
- **Population**: Historical population figures range from 14,677 to 15,978 residents across various years.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 38.2742478, Longitude -3.6152701.
- **Founding**: Established in 1767 under the Intendancy of New Populations of Andalusia and Sierra Morena.
- **Website**: Official municipal website at [http://www.lacarolina.es](http://www.lacarolina.es).
- **Wikidata Presence**: Described as a municipality of Spain with 46 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects.

## FAQs
**Where is La Carolina located?**
La Carolina is a municipality in the province of Jaén, within the Andalusia region of Spain. It is specifically located in the Navas de Tolosa area.

**When was La Carolina founded?**
La Carolina was founded in 1767 as part of the Intendancy of New Populations of Andalusia and Sierra Morena, a colonial and agricultural initiative by the Spanish Crown.

**What is the population of La Carolina?**
The population has fluctuated between approximately 14,677 and 15,978 residents over recorded years, reflecting its role as a stable rural municipality.

**What is the significance of the Intendancy of New Populations?**
The Intendancy of New Populations of Andalusia and Sierra Morena, established in 1767, was a strategic project to repopulate and develop underutilized lands in southern Spain, with La Carolina as one of its key settlements.

## Why It Matters
La Carolina represents a critical chapter in Spain’s 18th-century efforts to modernize and populate its southern regions. As part of the Intendancy of New Populations, it played a role in agricultural development, economic growth, and demographic stabilization in Andalusia. Its founding reflects broader Enlightenment-era policies aimed at rationalizing land use and strengthening state control over rural areas. Today, it remains a living example of planned colonial settlements in Europe, offering insights into historical urban planning and regional governance.

## Notable For
- **Historical Founding**: One of the key municipalities established under the 1767 Intendancy of New Populations of Andalusia and Sierra Morena.
- **Population Stability**: Maintained a consistent population range (14,677–15,978) over decades, indicating its enduring role as a regional hub.
- **Geographic Position**: Strategically located in the Navas de Tolosa area of Jaén Province, contributing to its historical and economic significance.
- **Wikimedia Presence**: Recognized across 46 Wikimedia sitelinks, highlighting its cultural and historical relevance.

## Body
### History and Founding
La Carolina was established in 1767 as part of the **Intendancy of New Populations of Andalusia and Sierra Morena**, a project initiated by the Spanish Crown to repopulate and develop the underutilized lands of southern Spain. This initiative was part of broader Enlightenment-era reforms aimed at modernizing agriculture, improving infrastructure, and strengthening state control over rural territories. The municipality’s founding reflects the strategic priorities of the time, blending colonial ambitions with domestic development goals.

### Geographic and Demographic Context
Located in the **Navas de Tolosa** region of **Jaén Province**, La Carolina occupies a position in the heart of Andalusia. Its coordinates (latitude 38.2742478, longitude -3.6152701) place it within a historically significant area known for its agricultural and mining activities. The municipality’s population has remained relatively stable, with recorded figures ranging from **14,677 to 15,978** residents across various censuses. This consistency underscores its role as a enduring rural center in the region.

### Administrative and Digital Presence
La Carolina operates an official municipal website at **[http://www.lacarolina.es](http://www.lacarolina.es)**, serving as a digital hub for local governance, services, and community engagement. On **Wikidata**, it is classified as a municipality of Spain, with **46 sitelinks** across Wikimedia projects, indicating its recognition in multiple languages and cultural contexts. This digital footprint ensures its visibility in global knowledge systems.

### Relationship to the Intendancy of New Populations
The **Intendancy of New Populations of Andalusia and Sierra Morena**, founded in 1767, was a pivotal administrative structure designed to oversee the colonization and development of southern Spain. La Carolina’s establishment under this intendancy highlights its role as a model settlement, intended to demonstrate the viability of planned rural communities. The intendancy’s policies—focusing on land distribution, infrastructure, and economic incentives—shaped La Carolina’s early growth and its integration into the broader Andalusian economy.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
As a product of 18th-century colonial planning, La Carolina embodies the intersection of state-led development and local adaptation. Its history offers insights into the challenges and successes of Spain’s internal colonization efforts, particularly in regions like Sierra Morena, which were historically underpopulated. The municipality’s enduring presence today serves as a testament to the long-term impact of these policies, preserving a tangible link to Spain’s Enlightenment-era reforms.

### Modern Role and Community
While primarily a rural municipality, La Carolina’s stable population and administrative infrastructure suggest a community that has adapted to contemporary challenges while retaining its historical identity. Its location in Jaén Province, known for olive oil production and mining, positions it within a broader economic network. The municipality’s digital presence and Wikimedia recognition further integrate it into modern knowledge systems, ensuring its continued relevance in both local and global contexts.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. [2020](https://andalucia.notariado.org/liferay/c/document_library/get_file?=11510482&folderId=15173850&name=DLFE-1486391.pdf)
4. [Boletín Oficial de la Junta de Andalucía. 2003](http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/boja/boletines/2003/59/d/updf/d1.pdf)
5. OpenStreetMap
6. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/spain/timezones.php)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Municipal Register of Spain 2013
9. Municipal Register of Spain 2012
10. Municipal Register of Spain 2011
11. Municipal Register of Spain 2010
12. Municipal Register of Spain 2009
13. Municipal Register of Spain 2008
14. Municipal Register of Spain 2007
15. Municipal Register of Spain 2006
16. Municipal Register of Spain 2005
17. Municipal Register of Spain 2004
18. Municipal Register of Spain 2002
19. Municipal Register of Spain 2001
20. Municipal Register of Spain 2014
21. Municipal Register of Spain 2015
22. Municipal Register of Spain 2016
23. Municipal Register of Spain 2017
24. Municipal Register of Spain 2018
25. [Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero. National Statistics Institute](http://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/index.htm?padre=525)
26. Municipal Register of Spain 2019
27. Municipal Register of Spain 2020
28. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021
29. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022
30. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023
31. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024
32. Municipal Register of Spain of 2025
33. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
34. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019
35. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525)
36. GeoNames
37. Límites municipales, provinciales y autonómicos
38. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
39. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File