Aragon: Spain's Wealthy Community of Contrasts and Culture

The autonomous community of Aragon is tuckedfor those who explore this region. Those who enjoy
away in the Northeastern corner of the stunningthe great outdoors are spoiled in Aragon - you can
Mediterranean nation of Spain - and whilst Aragon ishike and trek, mountain climb, mountain bike, you can
rich in culture, rich in history, rich in traditions and alsohorse ride, paraglide, ski, raft and ice dive - and for
rich in GDP and employment prospects, it is poor inthose who enjoy shopping, culture or fine wining and
terms of what is known about it outside of Spain.dining perhaps, they can be equally spoiled in the
Whereas the national average figure for foreignregions main towns and cities.
homeownership in Spain is 12%, in Aragon it is justNew to Aragon as well will be a massive casino and
9% with the greatest concentration of foreigntheme park resort which has just been given
owners being in the region's main towns where theregovernmental approval - and this of course will be a
is considerable employment.significant new draw to the region. The casino resort
Aragon is in fact one of the lesser known, lesserwill take ten years to construct, consist of hotels,
explored regions of Spain both by travellers and bytheme parks and a stadium as well as a conference
international expatriates - and yet it is a haven forcentre - bringing much welcome development and
nature lovers, for outdoor sports enthusiasts and forlikely greater prosperity to Aragon as well as huge
all those who wish to get away from the maddingnumbers of national and international visitors!
crowds and head off the beaten track.As employment prospects in the region of Aragon
Aragon is bordered to the north by France, byare so impressive and the community's GDP is so
Catalonia to the east, Valencia to the south andstrong, property prices in the provinces of Zaragoza,
Castile-La Mancha, Castile-Leon, La Rioja, and NavarreHuesca and Teruel have remained strong in the wake
to the west. Being landlocked and bounded by betterof a global property slow down and more specifically
known regions, Aragon and its three provinces ofin the face of a property market decline in Spain.
Zaragoza, Huesca and Teruel are Spain's hidden gemsAccording to the latest figures and statistics from
- and now it's time to lift the lid off the delights thatthe Ministry of Housing in Spain the Zaragoza
await all those who take the time to explore Aragon.province enjoys the highest property prices out of
In travel and tourism publications the region ofthe three Aragon provinces with median values being
Aragon is little touched upon and usually described asabout 13% above the national average. Teruel
being a featureless landscape - and yet howprovince is actually under priced when you compare it
incredibly incorrect can the general consensus ofwith the national average with prices about 37%
opinion actually be! Not only is Aragon one of thebelow making this region of immediate potential
most affluent communities with strong employmentinterest to those seeking affordable homes in Spain.
and population dense, exciting and vibrant cities suchMartin Dell from Kyero.com, winner of the 2007
as Zaragoza, it is a land deeply rich in history asCNBC Best International Property Portal award
mentioned, where the people are fiercely proud ofcomments that whilst there has been a drop off in
their culture, cuisine and heritage and where theterms of sales volumes, prices remain strong in
geography is strikingly divergent - but becauseAragon because there is consistency of employment.
Aragon is lesser explored, opinion is often drawnWhat this means for investors is that there is strong
from second or third hand sources.demand and sustainability of affordability as well...and
Thanks to the fact that millions of euros have beenbecause Aragon is about to get its moment in the
ploughed into the development of a high-speed raillimelight when the spotlight falls initially on the World
link from Madrid to Zaragoza and because the latterExpo 2008 and the city of Zaragoza specifically
will play host to the 2008 World Expo, Aragon isbefore focusing on the mega casino resort, demand
soon to make its mark on the international travel andamong second home owners could certainly increase
tourism scene - but outside the cities it is quiteas could the desire for rental accommodation year
possibly the geography, landscapes, climate andround in the community's most stunning areas of
natural environment of Aragon that makes thisnatural appeal.
particular region of Spain so overwhelmingly appealing.If you're seeking a land of hidden opportunity where
You have lush green valleys with rampant rivers,the market is understood, tried and tested and yet
snow-capped Pyrenees peaks, arid plains and rollinglesser explored - take a closer look at the emerging
hills. The flora and fauna in Aragon are alsopotential in Spain's Aragon province, you won't be
breathtaking in their diversity with vultures and eaglesdisappointed.
the most popular of the Pyrenean endemic species