# Puerto Lápice > municipality of Spain **Wikidata**: [Q1630316](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1630316) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Lápice) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/puerto-l-pice ## Summary Puerto Lápice is a municipality located in the Province of Ciudad Real, in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Established in 1842, it sits at coordinates 39.324444444444° N latitude and -3.4811111111111° W longitude. The municipality has a official website at https://www.puertolapice.es/ and is classified as a municipality of Spain, representing a local administrative division within the Spanish territorial system. ## Key Facts - **Official Name:** Puerto Lápice - **Type:** Municipality of Spain (administrative territorial entity) - **Inception:** 1842 (established as a municipality) - **Province:** Ciudad Real (province of Spain) - **Autonomous Community:** Castilla-La Mancha (implied from province context) - **Country:** Spain (Q29, Kingdom of Spain) - **Coordinates:** 39.324444444444° N, -3.4811111111111° W - **Website:** https://www.puertolapice.es/ - **Wikipedia Title:** Puerto Lápice - **Wikidata Description:** municipality of Spain - **Sitelink Count:** 42 - **Aliases:** Puerto Lápice ## FAQs **What type of administrative entity is Puerto Lápice?** Puerto Lápice is a municipality (municipio) of Spain, which is an administrative territorial entity at the local level. Spanish municipalities are the lowest tier of administrative division, each governed by a city council (ayuntamiento). The municipality was formally established in 1842 as part of the reorganization of local administration in Spain following the constitutional changes of the 19th century. **Where is Puerto Lápice located geographically?** Puerto Lápice is situated in the Province of Ciudad Real, which is part of the Castilla-La Mancha region in south-central Spain. The municipality's precise location is at latitude 39.324444444444° N and longitude -3.4811111111111° W, placing it in the southern part of the Castile-La Mancha autonomous community. **What is the relationship between Puerto Lápice and the Province of Ciudad Real?** Puerto Lápice is administratively subordinate to the Province of Ciudad Real, one of the 50 provinces in Spain. The Province of Ciudad Real is itself located within the country of Spain. The provincial capital is the city of Ciudad Real, and the province is known for its agricultural lands, historical sites, and connection to Don Quixote literature. **When was Puerto Lápice founded as a municipality?** Puerto Lápice was established as a municipality in 1842. This inception date corresponds to the period of administrative reorganization in Spain following the Carlist Wars and the establishment of more modern municipal governance structures. The municipality has maintained its administrative status continuously since that time. **What is known about Puerto Lápice's population?** Puerto Lápice has experienced population fluctuations over recent decades, with recorded population figures showing variation between approximately 824 and 1,052 residents. The population data indicates demographic changes that may reflect broader rural depopulation trends common in many small Spanish municipalities, particularly in the Castilla-La Mancha region. ## Why It Matters Puerto Lápice represents a fundamental unit of local governance in Spain, embodying the country's decentralized administrative structure. As one of the 8,124 municipalities in Spain, it participates in the distinctive Spanish system of local administration where municipalities serve as the closest level of government to citizens, providing essential services and representing local interests within the broader provincial and regional framework. The municipality's location in Castilla-La Mancha connects it to a region of significant cultural and historical importance in Spain. This autonomous community is renowned for its connection to Miguel de Cervantes' masterpiece "Don Quixote," and Puerto Lápice contributes to the cultural tapestry of the region, which attracts literary pilgrims and cultural tourists interested in the settings of Spain's most famous literary work. From an administrative perspective, Puerto Lápice exemplifies how Spain manages its territorial organization through a hierarchical system of autonomous communities, provinces, and municipalities. The municipality operates under the framework established by the Spanish Constitution of 1978 and relevant municipal laws, participating in local governance while being part of the larger provincial and national administrative structures. The existence of Puerto Lápice as a distinct municipal entity since 1842 demonstrates the continuity of Spain's municipal system through various political transformations, from the monarchy under Franco's regime to the current democratic constitutional monarchy. This continuity provides local communities with stable administrative representation and the ability to manage local affairs within the national framework. ## Notable For - **Administrative Longevity:** Established in 1842, Puerto Lápice has maintained its status as a municipality for over 180 years, representing the stability of Spain's local administrative system. - **Geographic Position:** Located at approximately 39.32° N latitude and -3.48° W longitude, the municipality sits in the heart of Castilla-La Mancha, a region known for its extensive plains, windmills, and connection to Don Quixote. - **Digital Presence:** The municipality maintains an official website (https://www.puertolapice.es/), demonstrating modern digital governance and accessibility for citizens and visitors. - **Provincial Context:** As part of the Province of Ciudad Real, Puerto Lápice contributes to one of Spain's 50 provinces, each serving as an intermediate administrative layer between autonomous communities and municipalities. - **Part of Spanish Municipal System:** Puerto Lápice is one of 8,124 municipalities in Spain, representing the country's extensive network of local administrative units that form the foundation of Spanish territorial organization. ## Body ### Administrative Status and Classification Puerto Lápice is classified as a municipality of Spain (municipio de España), which represents the basic administrative territorial entity in the Spanish system of local government. This classification places it at the lowest level of administrative division in Spain, alongside 8,123 other municipalities across the country's 17 autonomous communities and 50 provinces. The municipality's inception date of 1842 corresponds to the period following the Carlist Wars when Spain underwent significant administrative reorganization. The establishment of municipalities during this period created the framework for local governance that largely persists today, with municipalities serving as the primary interface between citizens and government at the local level. As a municipality, Puerto Lápice is governed by a city council (ayuntamiento) composed of elected officials who manage local affairs, provide public services, and represent the interests of the municipal residents. The municipal government handles matters such as urban planning, local taxes, public works, cultural activities, and coordination with provincial and regional authorities. ### Geographic Location and Coordinates Puerto Lápice is precisely located at coordinates 39.324444444444° N latitude and -3.4811111111111° W longitude. This positions the municipality in the southern part of the Castilla-La Mancha region, specifically within the Province of Ciudad Real. The geographic coordinates place it in the central-southern portion of the Iberian Peninsula, in an area characterized by extensive agricultural plains and a continental climate. The municipality's location in the Province of Ciudad Real connects it to a province known for its historical significance, agricultural production, and cultural heritage. Ciudad Real province covers a large area of Castilla-La Mancha and includes notable cities and towns, with the provincial capital bearing the same name as the province. ### Relationship to Higher Administrative Units Puerto Lápice exists within a hierarchical administrative structure that begins at the national level with Spain and descends through autonomous communities, provinces, and finally to the municipal level. The municipality is part of the Province of Ciudad Real, which in turn is part of the Castilla-La Mancha autonomous community, all within the Kingdom of Spain. The Province of Ciudad Real serves as an intermediate administrative layer, providing provincial-level services and coordination between municipal and regional governments. The province is one of the five provinces in Castilla-La Mancha, alongside Albacete, Cuenca, Guadalajara, and Toledo. Each province has its own provincial deputation (diputación provincial) that assists municipalities with various administrative functions. Spain's administrative system, as established by the Spanish Constitution of 1978, grants significant autonomy to autonomous communities while maintaining the municipality as the fundamental unit of local administration. This system allows for local governance while ensuring coordination across larger territorial units. ### Historical Context The establishment of Puerto Lápice as a municipality in 1842 occurred during a transformative period in Spanish history. The early 19th century saw significant political upheaval in Spain, including the Peninsular War (1807-1814), the liberal constitutional movements, and the Carlist Wars. The organization of municipalities during this period reflected the broader political changes sweeping across Europe. The municipal system established in the 19th century provided the foundation for local governance that would persist through subsequent political regimes, including the Restoration, the Second Spanish Republic, the Franco dictatorship, and the current democratic period. The continuity of municipal boundaries and administrative structures, despite political changes at the national level, demonstrates the stability of Spain's local administrative framework. ### Population and Demographics Puerto Lápice has a relatively small population, consistent with many rural municipalities in the Castilla-La Mancha region. The population figures recorded over time show variation, with numbers ranging from approximately 824 to 1,052 residents. These population fluctuations reflect broader demographic trends affecting rural areas across Spain, including rural depopulation as younger residents move to larger cities in search of educational and employment opportunities. The population data for Puerto Lápice illustrates the challenges facing small municipalities in maintaining stable population levels. Many rural municipalities in Spain's interior regions have experienced population decline as urbanization draws residents to larger cities and coastal areas. However, some municipalities have also experienced periods of population growth, potentially due to factors such as affordable housing, quality of life, or remote work opportunities. ### Digital Presence and Modern Administration Puerto Lápice maintains an official website at https://www.puertolapice.es/, indicating the municipality's adoption of digital governance tools to communicate with citizens and provide administrative services online. This digital presence reflects the modernization of Spanish local administration, where municipalities increasingly use technology to improve citizen services and administrative efficiency. The website serves as a portal for municipal information, potentially including details about local services, upcoming events, administrative procedures, and contact information for municipal authorities. This digital infrastructure represents the evolution of local governance in Spain, where even small municipalities have embraced technology to enhance communication and service delivery. ### Connection to Spanish Municipal System Puerto Lápice's status as one of Spain's 8,124 municipalities places it within one of the most extensive municipal systems in Europe. This large number of municipalities reflects Spain's historical development, where local administrative units were established based on historical settlements, geographic factors, and administrative needs. The Spanish municipal system provides for significant local autonomy while maintaining coordination through provincial and regional structures. The municipality participates in the broader Spanish system of local finance, planning, and governance. Municipalities have their own budgets, powers, and responsibilities, funded through local taxes, grants from higher levels of government, and other revenue sources. This system allows for tailored local governance that addresses the specific needs and characteristics of each municipality. ### Cultural and Regional Context Puerto Lápice's location in Castilla-La Mancha connects it to a region of profound cultural and literary significance. Castilla-La Mancha is renowned as the setting for much of Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote," considered one of the most important works in Spanish literature and world literature. The region's landscape of windmills, plains, and historic towns provides the backdrop for the adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. The Province of Ciudad Real, where Puerto Lápice is located, contains numerous sites of historical and cultural interest. The region has been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of Roman, Moorish, and medieval Spanish presence in the area. The cultural heritage of the region includes historic architecture, traditional festivals, culinary traditions, and artisanal crafts that define the identity of Castilla-La Mancha. ### Administrative Classification and Identifiers Puerto Lápice carries various identifiers that facilitate its identification in different systems and contexts. The municipality is classified under the Spanish administrative system as a municipality (municipio), with its own local government and administrative boundaries. The wikidata_description identifies it simply as "municipality of Spain," reflecting its fundamental classification within the Spanish territorial system. The sitelink count of 42 indicates the number of Wikipedia language editions that include an article about Puerto Lápice, suggesting moderate international visibility for a small Spanish municipality. This digital presence on Wikipedia contributes to the municipality's accessibility to international audiences interested in Spanish geography and local administration. ## References 1. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition) 2. Register of Local Entities 3. OpenStreetMap 4. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/spain/timezones.php) 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. Municipal Register of Spain 2013 7. Municipal Register of Spain 2012 8. Municipal Register of Spain 2011 9. Municipal Register of Spain 2010 10. Municipal Register of Spain 2009 11. Municipal Register of Spain 2008 12. Municipal Register of Spain 2007 13. Municipal Register of Spain 2006 14. Municipal Register of Spain 2005 15. Municipal Register of Spain 2004 16. Municipal Register of Spain 2003 17. Municipal Register of Spain 2002 18. Municipal Register of Spain 2001 19. Municipal Register of Spain 2014 20. Municipal Register of Spain 2015 21. Municipal Register of Spain 2016 22. Municipal Register of Spain 2017 23. Municipal Register of Spain 2018 24. [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) 25. Municipal Register of Spain 2019 26. Municipal Register of Spain 2020 27. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021 28. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022 29. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023 30. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024 31. Municipal Register of Spain of 2025 32. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019 33. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525) 34. GeoNames 35. Límites municipales, provinciales y autonómicos