# Rioja

> municipality in Almería, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q1444073](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1444073)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rioja,_Almería)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rioja-q1444073-2

## Summary
Rioja is a municipality located in the province of Almería, within the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is part of the Metropolitan Comarca of Almería and has a population that has varied between approximately 1,199 and 1,609 over recent years.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Rioja is situated in the province of Almería, Spain.
- **Administrative Classification:** It is a municipality of Spain, part of the Metropolitan Comarca of Almería.
- **Population Data (Recent):** Population values range from 1,199 in 2013 to 1,609 in 2023.
- **Coordinates:** Latitude: 36.9451184, Longitude: -2.4626985
- **Official Website:** [https://www.rioja.es/](https://www.rioja.es/)
- **Wikipedia Title:** Rioja, Almería
- **Wikidata Description:** Municipality in Almería, Spain
- **Sitelink Count:** 45

## FAQs

**Where is Rioja located?**  
Rioja is a municipality in the province of Almería, which is part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in Spain. It falls within the broader region of the Iberian Peninsula in southern Spain.

**What is the population of Rioja?**  
The population of Rioja has fluctuated over the past decades, with recent data showing a range between 1,199 and 1,609 inhabitants. The most recent figure available indicates a population of 1,609.

**What is the administrative structure of Rioja?**  
Rioja is classified as a municipality within the Spanish administrative system. It belongs to the Metropolitan Comarca of Almería, a regional subdivision in the province of Almería.

**What is the significance of its geographic placement?**  
Rioja is located in a region historically tied to agriculture and proximity to the Mediterranean coast. Its placement within the Metropolitan Comarca of Almería situates it within a zone known for its climatic and geographic diversity.

**What is the official website for Rioja?**  
The official website for the municipality is [https://www.rioja.es/](https://www.rioja.es/), which provides local government information and municipal services.

## Why It Matters
Rioja represents a small but integral part of Spain’s decentralized municipal structure, contributing to the cultural and administrative diversity of Andalusia. As part of the Metropolitan Comarca of Almería, it plays a role in regional governance and local identity preservation in a historically rich area of Spain. Its fluctuating population reflects the demographic shifts common in rural and semi-rural Spanish municipalities, making it a case study in local demographic and administrative dynamics.

## Notable For
- **Geographic Precision:** Located at specific coordinates (lat: 36.9451184, lon: -2.4626985), making it geolocatable for mapping and data services.
- **Population Trends:** Demonstrates demographic variability over time, with population figures ranging from 1,199 to 1,609 in recent years.
- **Administrative Integration:** Embedded within the Metropolitan Comarca of Almería, a key regional subdivision in Andalusia.
- **Digital Presence:** Maintains an official website ([rioja.es](https://www.rioja.es/)) for civic engagement and local information dissemination.
- **Historical Continuity:** Part of Spain’s long-standing municipal system, which has been in place since at least 1842.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Rioja is a municipality located in the province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. It is part of the **Metropolitan Comarca of Almería**, a regional administrative division. The municipality is situated in the southeastern part of Spain, near the Mediterranean coast, and lies at the geographic coordinates **latitude 36.9451184** and **longitude -2.4626985**. This positioning places it within a region known for its arid climate, agricultural activity, and proximity to both coastal and inland features of Andalusia.

### Administrative Structure
Rioja is classified as a **municipality of Spain**, a designation that has been in use since 1842. As part of Spain’s decentralized governance model, it falls under the jurisdiction of Almería Province and the broader **Metropolitan Comarca of Almería**. This comarca is one of several regional groupings in Andalusia designed to facilitate local governance and development.

### Demographics
The population of Rioja has shown variability over recent years:
- **Population Figures (Selected Years):** 1,199 (2013), 1,213 (2011–2012), 1,329 (2003), 1,364 (2018), 1,417 (2017), 1,453 (2016), 1,488 (2015), 1,510 (2014), 1,594 (2010), 1,609 (most recent).
This demographic data reflects the changing social and economic dynamics of small Spanish municipalities, particularly in rural and semi-rural zones.

### Digital and Civic Presence
Rioja maintains an official website at [https://www.rioja.es/](https://www.rioja.es/), which serves as a digital hub for local governance, public services, and civic information. This online presence is part of a broader trend in Spanish municipalities to enhance transparency and accessibility in local administration.

### Related Entities and Classifications
- **Parent Entity:** Metropolitan Comarca of Almería
- **Province:** Almería
- **Country:** Spain (Wikidata ID: Q29)
- **Wikipedia Title:** Rioja, Almería
- **Wikidata Description:** Municipality in Almería, Spain
- **Sitelink Count:** 45

### Historical Context
As a Spanish municipality, Rioja is part of an administrative system that has evolved since the 19th century. The formal inception of Spain’s municipal structure is marked to 1842, and Rioja fits within this long-standing tradition of local governance. Its placement within the Metropolitan Comarca of Almería situates it within a historically significant region that has seen shifts in economic focus from agriculture to tourism and services.

### Regional and National Integration
Rioja is part of the broader Spanish system of **autonomous communities and provinces**, which includes:
- **17 Autonomous Communities**
- **50 Provinces**
- **8,124 Municipalities**

This places Rioja within a well-defined national framework that balances regional autonomy with national cohesion. Its integration into this system ensures representation and access to regional development resources, while also contributing to the cultural and historical fabric of Andalusia.

### Governance and Civic Infrastructure
The local government of Rioja operates under the broader Spanish municipal framework, with governance structures designed to reflect both local needs and national standards. The official website provides a platform for civic engagement, public notices, and administrative services, aligning with national efforts to digitize and modernize local governance.

### Cultural and Social Relevance
As part of the Almería region, Rioja is embedded in a cultural landscape shaped by Moorish history, agricultural traditions, and modern demographic shifts. Its role in the Metropolitan Comarca of Almería links it to a broader regional identity that includes both historical preservation and modern development initiatives.

## References

1. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition)
2. [2020](https://andalucia.notariado.org/liferay/c/document_library/get_file?=11510482&folderId=15173850&name=DLFE-1486391.pdf)
3. Register of Local Entities
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 2003
19. Municipal Register of Spain 2002
20. Municipal Register of Spain 2001
21. Municipal Register of Spain 2014
22. Municipal Register of Spain 2015
23. Municipal Register of Spain 2016
24. Municipal Register of Spain 2017
25. Municipal Register of Spain 2018
26. [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)
27. Municipal Register of Spain 2019
28. Municipal Register of Spain 2020
29. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021
30. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022
31. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023
32. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024
33. Municipal Register of Spain of 2025
34. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
35. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019
36. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525)
37. Geographic Nomenclature of Municipalities and Population Entities
38. [Reconocimiento de los productos producidos por el IGN y coproducidos por las CC.AA. y la AGE](http://www.scne.es/productos.php#MTN25|1994-2018)
39. Límites municipales, provinciales y autonómicos