Calasparra Introduction
There has been human occupation in Calasparra for thousands of years. Proof of this are the remains of Paleolithic tools found on the terraces of the rivers Segura and Argos, as well as the existence of a late Neolithic site on the banks of the Segura (La Presa), as evidenced by the funerary material found.
During the period between the end of the Neolithic and the appearance of the first bronze objects, which dates the schematic cave paintings found in the Abrigo del Pozo (Sierra del Molino), declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Distributed in several rock art panels that make up the site, are the paintings that refer to both animals and humans. Although they are older than 4,000 years, this date is currently pending review. Also during the Bronze Age man chose Calasparra for settlement. This has been demonstrated by the findings of ceramic and metal pots deposits of the castle or the Cerro de la Virgen.
Since the 5th century BC culture begins to develop in the eastern Iberian Peninsula and Calasparra is no stranger to the presence of Iberian settlements such as the Cerro de la Virgen, Terratremo or Cabezo de las Juntas. These sites have found significant remains of this culture, such as daggers and spears, as well as fragments of pottery, influenced by Greek culture. 
With the subsequent victory of Rome in the Second Punic War, 206 BC Carthaginian dominions the region began the process of Romanization. This process was aided by the nearby presence of the major site of Begastri, Cehegín present, as evidenced by the remains found in the Cerro de la Virgen. It will be during Roman times when there is a great expansion of farms, as shown by the rural villages of Valero Casica or Altos de Valentin.
In 476 BC, with the deposition of the last Roman emperor, the Visigoths began full occupation of Hispania.
During the period of Muslim rule after the Tudmir Pact in 713, Islamization was in force
The site of Villa Vieja comprises the ruins of an ancient Arab Caliphate, whose splendour can be placed between the 12th and 13th centuries. The depopulation of Villa Vieja is dated to 1266, the year in which the Aragonese monarch James I put down the rebellion and conquered the Moorish kingdom of Murcia .
The lands of Calasparra was donated by Sancho IV of Castile to the Orden de San Juan's Hospital in 1289, which remained under their control until the 19th century, apart from the Aragonese period of occupation of the kingdom of Murcia in the early 14th and the usurpation of Fajardo 'El Bravo' to the mid-15th century.
The Order took full advantage of the wealth of the territory, by not having to share with the people. Not until the 15th century when the Order decided to repopulate Calasparra with Christian inhabitants, by Town Charter of Commander Gonzalo de Saavedra.
The end of the Nazari kingdom of Granada in 1492, after its conquest by the Catholic Kings marked the end of the war and Muslim raids, so that opens a period of peace and.
The basis for the development of the city lies on the economy of the town. The surrounding fertile lands and mild climate enabled the growth of the main crops for subsistence - vegetables, fruits, wheat and barley were cultivated and for export silk and tumbleweed. Calasparra remained faithful to Philip V during the War of Succession, in line with the rest of the kingdom of Murcia.
After the war, Calasparra did not recover until many years later, due to the succession of bad harvests, high tax payments, periods of epidemics and the abandonment of public works. In 1731 was built the barn of the Orden de San Juan, known as the Encomienda, to alleviate the lack of grain.
The 19th century began in Calasparra with epidemics and crop failures and the hardship led them a new armed conflict, the War of Independence.
Calasparra got rid of the Orden de San Juan between 1836 and 1841.
With the Restoration, the family Melgarejo, with the title of Counts of San Juan Valley, became the top oligarchs in Calasparra. The persistence of economic scarcity for the lower classes forced many of them to emigrate or into banditry.
Despite mass emigration, Calasparra recovered economically from the establishment of industries of processing, canning and services. This marked the progress of the town, with tourism as a new engine of the economy. On the other hand, Calasparra had a great deal of advertising, the work developed in the city for its famous architect Emilio Pérez Piñero.
Calasparra rice
Calasparra rice is known in Spain and worldwide.
Its traditional quality and craftsmanship of Calasparran rice farmers, and the proof is the granting of the Denomination of Origin, the first rice of the world enjoying this precious warranty and quality guarantee. The Designation of Origin achieved in 1986 aimed to guarantee consumers the authenticity of the product regarding its origin and quality, and safeguard the interests of producers in the area.
Its Regulatory Board, the body responsible for monitoring the cultivation, processing and presentation of this rice, is fighting the misuse of its name and making it known both nationally and internationally.
The revaluation of rice in the domestic and foreign markets is leading to an increase in the number of farmers involved in this activity.
The lands irrigated by the Segura river and its tributaries, passing through the towns of Calasparra and Moratalla, and Hellin, Albacete, are the areas that make up the production of Calasparra Rice, officially granted by Royal Decree of 1st February 1908.
Their ecological environment is clearly different for other rice-growing areas, as it is grown in a very mountainous and sunny area, located northwest of the Murcia and South Albacete, with an altitude ranging between 341 and 500 meters above sea level.
Its annual production is very limited, with 2.5 million to 3.5 million kilos. Although the area registered is about 1000 hectares, due to the rotation of crops planted each year only about 500 or 600 hectares is in use.
The quality characteristics that give prestige and differentiate Calasparra rice from other rice are determined by their ecological environment and cropping system, both clearly different from other rice growing areas.
* For the weather, since it is a grown in mountainous areas with an altitude ranging between 341 and 500 meters above sea level. Daily relative humidity below 20% during the growing season and especially during the ripening of grain, which has a decisive influence on large dehydration and a solid aggregation of starch in rice.
* For the coldness and purity of its waters.
* For the irrigation system with a constant renewal of water by means of terraces, allowing varied fauna within plantations.
* For the alternating rice cultivation with other crops, which regenerates the ground and provides the elements necessary to maintain the highest quality.
* By maintaining traditional seeds are used almost exclusively in Calasparra.
* Because of the slow ripening of the grain, with a cycle that stretches up to 30% more than in the rest of the rice.
* For its natural dehydration, which distinguishes it on the table for its taste and hardness.
Varieties of Calasparra rice are as follows: -
• Calasparra rice – white round grain rice and excellent quality which increases in size in length and thickness up to 60% when cooked. It is of great resistance, it soaks up three parts of water per part of rice in paella.
• Calasparra Bomba rice – it is the jewel of Calasparra rice, considered essential by the best restaurateurs; it decorates the tables of the most important restaurants. Small size white rice which enlarges up to 100% in length and thickness when cooked. Highly resistant, it soaks up five parts of water per part of rice in paella, it can be heated up without losing a bit of texture or flavour.
