# Olivenza

> municipality of Spain, disputed territory

**Wikidata**: [Q488052](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q488052)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivenza)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/olivenza

## Summary
Olivenza is a disputed municipality in Spain, located in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura. It is part of a territorial dispute between Spain and Portugal, with its sovereignty having shifted between the two countries multiple times throughout history. The town is known for its historical significance and strategic location along the border with Portugal.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Municipality in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain.
- **Disputed Territory:** Currently under Spanish administration but historically contested between Spain and Portugal.
- **Inception:** Officially recognized as a municipality in 1230.
- **Population:** Approximately 12,000 residents (as of recent estimates).
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 38.685744, Longitude -7.100731.
- **Website:** [Official municipal website](http://www.ayuntamientodeolivenza.com/).
- **Related Entities:** Includes the Ponte da Ajuda bridge and the Castle of Olivenza.
- **Historical Sovereignty:** Formerly part of the Kingdom of Leon, Crown of Castile, and Portugal before being ceded to Spain in 1801.
- **Administrative Status:** Part of the broader municipality of Spain, with a population of over 48 million.

## FAQs
**What is the current status of Olivenza?**
Olivenza is a municipality under Spanish administration but remains a disputed territory between Spain and Portugal. Its sovereignty has been contested and transferred multiple times in history.

**How did Olivenza become a disputed territory?**
Olivenza has been contested between Spain and Portugal due to its strategic location along the border. Its sovereignty has shifted between the two countries, including periods under the Kingdom of Leon, Crown of Castile, and Portugal before being ceded to Spain in 1801.

**What are the key historical events involving Olivenza?**
Olivenza was first recognized as a municipality in 1230. It was later contested between the Kingdom of Leon and the Crown of Castile before being ceded to Portugal in 1297. After the War of the Oranges, it was transferred to Spain in 1801.

**What notable landmarks are in Olivenza?**
Olivenza is home to the Ponte da Ajuda bridge and the Castle of Olivenza, both of which are significant historical landmarks.

**How does Olivenza fit into Spain’s administrative structure?**
Olivenza is part of the province of Badajoz in Extremadura, Spain. It is one of the 8,124 municipalities in Spain and is administered under Spanish law.

## Why It Matters
Olivenza holds historical and geopolitical significance due to its contested status between Spain and Portugal. Its strategic location along the border has made it a focal point in territorial disputes throughout history. The town’s historical shifts in sovereignty, from the Kingdom of Leon to the Crown of Castile and Portugal, reflect broader power dynamics in the region. Today, Olivenza remains a symbol of Spain’s territorial claims and its complex relationship with neighboring Portugal. Its inclusion in Spain’s administrative structure underscores the country’s efforts to assert control over disputed territories while navigating international relations.

## Notable For
- **Disputed Territory:** One of the few municipalities in Spain with a contested status due to historical and geopolitical disputes with Portugal.
- **Historical Significance:** Served as a key location in territorial disputes between the Kingdom of Leon, Crown of Castile, and Portugal.
- **Strategic Location:** Situated along the border with Portugal, making it a focal point in regional geopolitics.
- **Cultural Heritage:** Home to significant landmarks such as the Ponte da Ajuda bridge and the Castle of Olivenza, reflecting its rich historical past.
- **Administrative Role:** Part of Spain’s extensive network of municipalities, contributing to the country’s administrative and territorial structure.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Olivenza is situated in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. Its coordinates are latitude 38.685744 and longitude -7.100731. The municipality is part of a disputed territory between Spain and Portugal, with its sovereignty having shifted multiple times in history. The town is known for its strategic location along the border with Portugal, which has made it a focal point in territorial disputes.

### Government and Politics
Olivenza is administered as part of Spain’s broader municipal structure. It is one of the 8,124 municipalities in Spain and is governed under Spanish law. The municipality is part of the province of Badajoz in Extremadura, which is one of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain. The town is administered by its local council, which is responsible for municipal services and governance.

### Demographics and Society
Olivenza has a population of approximately 12,000 residents. The town is part of a broader demographic landscape in Spain, which has a population of over 48 million. The municipality is characterized by its historical significance and cultural heritage, which are reflected in its landmarks and community.

### Languages and Culture
While Spanish is the official language nationwide, Olivenza is part of a region with diverse linguistic and cultural heritage. The town is known for its historical landmarks, including the Ponte da Ajuda bridge and the Castle of Olivenza, which reflect its rich cultural past. The municipality is part of a broader cultural landscape in Spain, which is known for its diverse languages, regional identities, and historical influence.

### History and Inception
Olivenza was first recognized as a municipality in 1230. It was later contested between the Kingdom of Leon and the Crown of Castile before being ceded to Portugal in 1297. After the War of the Oranges, it was transferred to Spain in 1801. The town’s historical shifts in sovereignty reflect broader power dynamics in the region and its strategic location along the border with Portugal.

### International Relations
Olivenza’s disputed status has implications for Spain’s international relations. The town’s territorial claims and geopolitical significance are reflected in Spain’s broader diplomatic efforts. Spain is a member of numerous international organizations, including the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations, which play a role in shaping its territorial disputes and geopolitical strategies.

### Administrative Divisions
Olivenza is part of the province of Badajoz in Extremadura, Spain. It is one of the 8,124 municipalities in Spain and is administered under Spanish law. The municipality is part of a broader administrative structure in Spain, which is divided into 17 autonomous communities and 50 provinces.

### Related Entities and Projects
Olivenza is home to several notable landmarks, including the Ponte da Ajuda bridge and the Castle of Olivenza. These landmarks are significant historical and cultural sites that reflect the town’s rich heritage. The municipality is also part of a broader network of entities and projects in Spain, which contribute to the country’s cultural, economic, and political landscape.

### Identifiers and Classification
Olivenza is classified under various international systems, including ISO codes, IOC codes, and maritime identification digits. These classifications reflect the town’s administrative and territorial status within Spain and its broader geopolitical context. The municipality is part of a broader network of entities and projects in Spain, which contribute to the country’s cultural, economic, and political landscape.

## References

1. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. [Source](http://doe.juntaex.es/pdfs/doe/2000/1230o/00051336.pdf)
4. [Source](http://www.ayuntamientodeolivenza.com/ayuntamiento/plenos/)
5. [Source](http://doe.gobex.es/pdfs/doe/2000/1230o/00051336.pdf)
6. [Source](http://www.ayuntamientodeolivenza.com/)
7. [Source](http://www.ayuntamientodeolivenza.com/publicados-los-resultados-de-las-pruebas-de-varias-categorias-del-programa-pcme/)
8. Diccionario geográfico-estadístico-histórico de España y sus posesiones de Ultramar
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. Catalog of the German National Library
11. BnF authorities
12. Register of Local Entities
13. OpenStreetMap
14. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/spain/timezones.php)
15. [Source](https://es.ayuntamientodeolivenza.com/la-ciudad/#1502105145829-7d71eba9-c2b8)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. Czech National Authority Database
18. datos.bne.es
19. MusicBrainz
20. Municipal Register of Spain 2013
21. Municipal Register of Spain 2012
22. Municipal Register of Spain 2011
23. Municipal Register of Spain 2010
24. Municipal Register of Spain 2009
25. Municipal Register of Spain 2008
26. Municipal Register of Spain 2007
27. Municipal Register of Spain 2006
28. Municipal Register of Spain 2005
29. Municipal Register of Spain 2004
30. Municipal Register of Spain 2002
31. Municipal Register of Spain 2003
32. Municipal Register of Spain 2001
33. Municipal Register of Spain 2014
34. Municipal Register of Spain 2015
35. Municipal Register of Spain 2016
36. Municipal Register of Spain 2017
37. Municipal Register of Spain 2018
38. [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)
39. Municipal Register of Spain 2019
40. Municipal Register of Spain 2020
41. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021
42. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022
43. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023
44. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024
45. [Ministro da Defesa diz que Olivença “é portuguesa” e “por tratado, deverá ser entregue ao Estado português”. 2024](https://www.publico.pt/2024/09/13/politica/noticia/ministro-defesa-olivenca-portuguesa-tratado-devera-entregue-estado-portugues-2104050)
46. [https://portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/relacoesbilaterais/historia-diplomatica?view=article&id=432:franca&catid=119:relacoes-diplomaticas. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal](https://portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/relacoesbilaterais/historia-diplomatica?view=article&id=432)
47. [150 anos do Tratado de Limites Celebrado entre Portugal e Espanha. Instituto Diplomático. 2018](https://idi.mne.gov.pt/pt/arquivo-e-biblioteca/documentos-e-efemerides/150-anos-do-tratado-de-limites)
48. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019
49. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525)
50. GeoNames