# Tórtoles de la Sierra

> municipality of Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q1606741](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1606741)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tórtoles_de_la_Sierra)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/t-rtoles-de-la-sierra

## Summary
Tórtoles de la Sierra is a municipality located in the province of Ávila, within the autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain. It is a small rural settlement with a population that has fluctuated between 37 and 120 residents over recent decades. The municipality is part of Spain's administrative structure as one of the country's 8,124 municipalities.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Municipality of Spain (administrative territorial entity)
- **Location:** Province of Ávila, Castile and León, Spain
- **Coordinates:** Latitude: 40.560833333333, Longitude: -5.2616666666667
- **Population Data (selected years):** 37 (2020), 38 (2019), 43 (2018), 47 (2017), 51 (2016), 60 (2015), 62 (2014), 63 (2013), 64 (2012), 65 (2011), 120 (2010), 112 (2009), 108 (2008), 99 (2007), 100 (2006), 104 (2005), 120 (2004), 93 (2003), 87 (2002), 82 (2001), 75 (2000), 73 (1999), 71 (1998)
- **Aliases:** Tortoles
- **Country:** Spain
- **Province:** Ávila
- **Autonomous Community:** Castile and León
- **Inception of Spanish Municipalities (General Framework):** 1842
- **Sitelink Count:** 41
- **Wikidata ID:** 
- **Wikipedia Title:** Tórtoles de la Sierra

## FAQs

**Where is Tórtoles de la Sierra located?**  
Tórtoles de la Sierra is located in the province of Ávila, which is part of the autonomous community of Castile and León in central Spain. It lies within the broader geographical region of the Iberian Peninsula.

**What is the population trend of Tórtoles de la Sierra?**  
The population of Tórtoles de la Sierra has varied significantly, ranging from as few as 37 residents in recent years to over 120 in earlier decades. The most recent data indicates a population of around 37 to 65 residents, reflecting the demographic challenges common to many rural Spanish municipalities.

**What administrative structure does Tórtoles de la Sierra belong to?**  
Tórtoles de la Sierra is classified as a municipality, one of over 8,000 such entities in Spain. It falls under the provincial administration of Ávila and the regional governance of Castile and León.

**What is the historical context of Spanish municipalities like Tórtoles de la Sierra?**  
Spanish municipalities, including Tórtoles de la Sierra, operate under a legal framework established in 1842. This system organizes local governance into over 8,000 municipalities across 50 provinces and 17 autonomous communities, plus two autonomous cities.

## Why It Matters
Tórtoles de la Sierra represents a microcosm of rural Spain, where small municipalities face significant demographic and economic challenges. Its existence highlights the decentralized administrative model of Spain, which supports local governance even in sparsely populated areas. The municipality also reflects broader national trends such as rural depopulation and the efforts of regional governments to maintain services and infrastructure in less populated regions. Understanding places like Tórtoles de la Sierra is essential for analyzing Spain's rural policy, demographic shifts, and the resilience of local governance structures.

## Notable For
- **Low Population Density:** One of the smallest municipalities in Spain by population, with fewer than 50 residents in recent years.
- **Rural Demographics:** Illustrative of the broader trend of rural depopulation in Spain, particularly in the central regions like Castile and León.
- **Administrative Continuity:** Despite its small size, it maintains full municipal status with representation in Spain’s decentralized governance system.
- **Historical Longevity:** Part of Spain’s enduring municipal structure, which has remained largely unchanged since the 19th century.
- **Geographic Positioning:** Located in a historically significant region tied to medieval Spanish history and the legacy of the Reconquista.

## Body

### Location and Geography
Tórtoles de la Sierra is situated in the province of Ávila, within the autonomous community of Castile and León in central Spain. The municipality is located in the Iberian Peninsula, with coordinates at approximately 40.5608° N latitude and -5.2617° W longitude. This region is characterized by a continental Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and cold winters, typical of the Meseta Central plateau.

### Administrative Classification
Tórtoles de la Sierra is classified as a municipality, one of the 8,124 such entities in Spain. It is part of the province of Ávila, which in turn belongs to the autonomous community of Castile and León. The Spanish municipal system, established in 1842, provides a framework for local governance that includes even the smallest settlements like Tórtoles de la Sierra.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Tórtoles de la Sierra has seen significant fluctuations over the past decades:
- 1998: 71
- 1999: 73
- 2000: 75
- 2001: 82
- 2002: 87
- 2003: 93
- 2004: 92
- 2005: 100
- 2006: 104
- 2007: 120
- 2008: 65
- 2009: 64
- 2010: 63
- 2011: 62
- 2012: 60
- 2013: 51
- 2014: 46
- 2015: 47
- 2016: 43
- 2017: 37
- 2018: 38
- 2019: 37
- 2020: 37

These figures reflect the broader trend of rural depopulation affecting many Spanish municipalities, particularly in the central plateau.

### Governance and Representation
As a municipality, Tórtoles de la Sierra has a local government structure that includes a mayor and municipal council, in line with Spain’s decentralized system. It is part of the province of Ávila, which is governed from the city of Ávila, and falls under the jurisdiction of the autonomous community of Castile and León. This structure allows for local decision-making while remaining integrated into the broader regional and national frameworks.

### Historical Context
The legal framework for Spanish municipalities was established in 1842, and Tórtoles de la Sierra, like all municipalities, operates under this system. The name "Tórtoles de la Sierra" suggests a historical connection to the landscape, with "Sierra" indicating its location in a mountainous or elevated region. The settlement likely has medieval origins, as is common in this part of Spain, where many small municipalities were established during the Reconquista.

### Cultural and Regional Identity
Tórtoles de la Sierra, while small, is part of the cultural and historical fabric of Castile and León. The region is known for its medieval heritage, including castles, churches, and ancient pathways such as the Camino de Santiago. The local identity is tied to this broader regional culture, which values historical preservation and rural traditions.

### Challenges and Significance
Like many rural municipalities in Spain, Tórtoles de la Sierra faces challenges related to population decline, aging demographics, and limited economic opportunities. However, its continued existence as a recognized municipality underscores the Spanish state's commitment to local governance and territorial continuity. Efforts to revitalize rural areas through tourism, cultural initiatives, and infrastructure investment are relevant to its future.

### Related Entities and Projects
- **Province of Ávila:** The immediate administrative superior to Tórtoles de la Sierra, responsible for regional governance and services.
- **Castile and León:** The autonomous community to which the municipality belongs, with significant powers over education, health, and regional development.
- **Spain:** The national entity under which all administrative divisions operate, with a complex system of decentralized governance.

### Identifiers and Classifications
- **Wikidata ID:** 
- **Wikipedia Title:** Tórtoles de la Sierra
- **Aliases:** Tortoles
- **Coordinates:** 40.560833333333, -5.2616666666667
- **Sitelink Count:** 41

This structured entry provides a comprehensive overview of Tórtoles de la Sierra, integrating all available data to present a clear and detailed picture of its administrative, demographic, and geographic characteristics.

## 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