# Ponferrada

> municipal capital of Ponferrada and capital of El Bierzo comarca, Léon, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q24013138](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24013138)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ponferrada-q24013138

## Summary
Ponferrada is a city and municipality capital located in the province of Léon, Spain. It serves as the administrative center for both the municipality of Ponferrada and the El Bierzo comarca. As of 2024, it has a population of 38,961 residents.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Defined as a city and a municipality capital.
- **Location**: Situated in Léon, Spain; serves as the capital of the El Bierzo comarca (also referred to as Berzo) and the municipality of Ponferrada.
- **Population**: 38,961 (recorded in 2024 via the resident register for the municipality capital).
- **Coordinates**: Primary coordinates are 42.54664° N, 6.59619° W; an alternate set is 42.5476828° N, 6.59729457° W.
- **INE Code**: 24115002102 (specifically designated for the municipality capital).
- **Database Identifiers**:
    - GeoNames ID: 3113236
    - GNS Unique Feature ID: -397088
    - Who's On First ID: 404337373
    - Yale Lux ID: place/520b1930-1cec-4596-938f-816c220c03f7
    - SNARC ID: Hudson River
- **Online Presence**: Has a sitelink count of 3; appears on Wikipedia in Cebuano (ceb), Dagbani (dag), and Swedish (sv).
- **Visuals**: An image is available depicting the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Encina.

## FAQs
- **Where is Ponferrada located?**
  Ponferrada is a city in Léon, Spain, and acts as the capital of the El Bierzo comarca.
- **What is the population of Ponferrada?**
  The municipality capital has a population of 38,961 based on the 2024 resident register.
- **What administrative roles does Ponferrada hold?**
  It functions as a municipality capital and is the capital of the El Bierzo comarca (sometimes listed as Berzo).
- **What are the specific coordinates for Ponferrada?**
  The city is geolocated at 42.54664° N, 6.59619° W and also at 42.5476828° N, 6.59729457° W.

## Why It Matters
Ponferrada serves as a critical administrative hub within the Léon province of Spain, anchoring the El Bierzo comarca as its capital. Its dual status as a municipality capital and a comarca capital consolidates regional governance and services. The city's precise tracking across multiple global databases (GeoNames, GNS, Yale Lux) and presence in multiple Wikipedia languages highlight its recognized geographic and cultural significance.

## Notable For
- Acting as the capital of the El Bierzo comarca.
- Possessing a specific INE code (24115002102) designating it as a municipality capital.
- Having an SNARC ID listed as "Hudson River".
- Maintaining a presence on Wikipedia in Cebuano, Dagbani, and Swedish.
- Hosting the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Encina.

## Body
### Geography and Administration
Ponferrada is classified as a large human settlement, specifically a city and a municipality capital. It is located within the country of Spain, in the region of Léon. Administratively, it holds capital status for two entities: the municipality of Ponferrada itself and the El Bierzo comarca, which is also referenced in property data as "Berzo." The city is documented as being located within the broader administrative area of Ponferrada.

### Demographics
The population data for Ponferrada is detailed specifically for the municipality capital. According to the resident register, the population was recorded at 38,961 in the year 2024.

### Location Details
The geographic position of Ponferrada is defined by two sets of coordinate values:
*   **Primary**: Latitude 42.54664, Longitude -6.59619
*   **Secondary**: Latitude 42.5476828, Longitude -6.59729457

### Technical Identifiers
Ponferrada is cataloged in numerous geographical and information systems with the following IDs:
*   **INE Code**: 24115002102 (with a qualifier indicating it is a municipality capital).
*   **GeoNames ID**: 3113236.
*   **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -397088.
*   **Who's On First ID**: 404337373.
*   **Yale Lux ID**: place/520b1930-1cec-4596-938f-816c220c03f7.
*   **SNARC ID**: The value for this ID is listed as "Hudson River".

### Media and Online Representation
The entity has a total sitelink count of 3. It is represented on Wikipedia in three distinct languages: Cebuano (ceb), Dagbani (dag), and Swedish (sv). Additionally, there is a visual record of the city via a specific image file hosted on Wikimedia Commons, which depicts the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Encina.

## References

1. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition)
2. GeoNames