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Dolores
Location
Location of Dolores in Comunidad Valenciana
Coordinates : 38° 8' 20" N , 0° 46' 12"W Time Zone : CET (UTC+1) - summer: CEST (UTC+2)
General information
Native name	Dolores (Spanish)
Spanish name	Dolores
Nickname	La Maja
Founded	18th century
Postal code	03150
Area code	34 (Spain) + 965 (Alicante)
Website	http://www.aytodolores.es/
Administration
Country	Spain
Autonomous Community	Comunidad Valenciana
Province	Alicante
Comarca	Vega Baja del Segura
Mayor	Gabriel Gascón Abadía (PP)
Geography
Land Area	18.25 km²
Altitude	4-7 m AMSL
Population
Population	7,095 (2005)
Density	389 hab./km² (2005)

Dolores is town located in the comarca of Vega Baja del Segura in southern Alicante province, Spain. The town is in the heart of the Segura huerta (vegetable garden) about 10 km (6 miles) from the nearest beaches in La Marina and Guardamar. The town is readily accessible from the Autovia del Mediterráneo motorway and a new motorway from Elche, and is about 20 minutes away from the Alicante international airport. Dolores has an area of 18.25 km² (7 square miles) and the average monthly temperature varies between 16°C (61°F) in December-January and 28°C (82°F) in July-August.

The most important monument is the XVIII^th century church, with sculptures by Salcillo and Roque Lopez. The two most important fiestas in Dolores are the Feria de Agosto (August Fair) in early August; and the Fiesta de la Virgen, in mid-September. The Feria de Agosto is one of the more important fairs of Spain, and it features a Spanish Horse Contest. More than 1,500 horses are shown each year in all sorts of games and activities. Cattle and dog contests are also held at the fair. The Fiesta de la Virgen includes a carriage parade, the running of the "vaca toposa" (a variety of a small, aggressive cow), and the procession to honor the Virgen de los Dolores (Virgin of Sorrows), the patron saint of the village.

The typical cuisine of Dolores takes advantage of the fresh vegetables available in the area (artichokes, beans), and also includes plenty of meat and seafood. The most typical dish is "cocido con pelotas", which includes meatballs and potato and chickpea stew. There are also many fresh fruits such as melons, watermelons, oranges, and apricots. An open-air market is held every Friday morning where the local produce is sold.

Housing in Dolores is relatively affordable, and substantially cheaper than in the nearby beach areas. On November 25, 2005 the Municipal government of Dolores approved the development of a 1.6 km² area -Dolores Golf- to accommodate 2,664 new housing units, which also includes a 580,000 m² (145 acre) golf course. The new development was modified afterwards, and is now fully consistent with the regional government (Generalitat Valenciana) requirements. The improved Dolores Golf plan was approved on March 26, 2007, with the agreement of the two main political parties in Dolores -Popular Party (P.P.) and the Socialist Party (P.S.O.E)-. The development is expected to be completed over the next few years.

Interior of the church Virgen de los Dolores

Dolores countryside

Arroz con costra (Rice with crust), typical food of Dolores

• Ayuntamiento de Dolores, Official website of the municipal government of Dolores (Spanish)

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edit	Municipalities of Vega Baja del Segura
Albatera | Algorfa | Almoradí | Benejúzar | Benferri | Benijófar | Bigastro | Callosa de Segura | Catral | Cox | Daya Nueva | Daya Vieja | Dolores | Formentera del Segura | Granja de Rocamora | Guardamar del Segura | Jacarilla | Los Montesinos | Orihuela | Pilar de la Horadada | Rafal | Redován | Rojales | San Fulgencio | San Isidro | San Miguel de Salinas | Torrevieja