La Rioja
 | |
| Capital | LogroÃÂño |
| Area
- total - % of Spain |
Ranked 16th
5 045 km² 1,0% |
| Population
- Total (2003) - % of Spain - Density |
Ranked 17th
281 614 0,7% 55,82/km² |
| Demonym
- English - Spanish |
--- riojano/a |
| Statute of Autonomy | June 19, 1982 |
| ISO 3166-2 | LO |
|
Parliamentary representation Congress seats Senate seats |
4 1 |
| President | Pedro Sanz Alonso (PP) |
| Gobierno de La Rioja | |
La Rioja is a province and autonomous community of northern Spain. Its capital is LogroÃÂño. Other cities and towns are Calahorra, Arnedo, Haro, San Asensio, Navalsaz, and Najera. See List of municipalities in La Rioja.
It is bordered by the Basque Country (province of Álava), Navarre, Aragon (province of Zaragoza), and Castile-Leon (provinces of Soria and Burgos). The Río Ebro flows through this region, as does the RÃÂÃÂo Oja, for which it is known.
The territory of La Rioja (formerly known as the province of Logroño) was disputed between the kings of Navarre and the kings of Castile starting in the 10th century; the region was annexed to Castile in 1173.
It was made into an autonomous community during the reorganization following the democratic transition, owing to its economic distinction from the surrounding regions. It is the second-smallest autonomous community in Spain and has the smallest population; fully half of its 174 municipalities have populations under 200. Nearly half of its citizens live in the capital.
It is best known for its production of the well-known Rioja wines.
La Rioja is also a city in Argentina; see La Rioja, Argentina.