Figueres

Figueres
Municipality
Church of St. Peter
Flag Coat of arms
Figueres Show map of Catalonia Figueres Show map of Spain Location in Catalonia
Coordinates: 42°16′00″N 2°57′54″E / 42.26667°N 2.96500°E / 42.26667; 2.96500Coordinates: 42°16′00″N 2°57′54″E / 42.26667°N 2.96500°E / 42.26667; 2.96500
Country	Spain
Community	Catalonia
Province	Girona
Comarca	Alt Empordà
Government
• Mayor	Marta Felip Torres (2015)
Area
• Total	19.3 km2 (7.5 sq mi)
Elevation	39 m (128 ft)
Population (2015)
• Total	45,346
• Density	2,300/km2 (6,100/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Figuerenques
Website	figueres.cat

Figueres (Catalan pronunciation: [fiˈɣeɾəs], Catalan for fig trees) is the capital of the comarca of Alt Empordà, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain.

The town is the birthplace of artist Salvador Dalí, and houses the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dalí, a large museum designed by Dalí himself which attracts many visitors. It is also the birthplace of Narcís Monturiol, inventor of the first successful machine-powered submarine. Also born here was Mónica Naranjo, one of the best selling Spanish singers of the 1990s and 2000s.

The town's name derives from that of Ficaris, of Visigoth origins. In 1267, King James I of Aragon conceded it fuero rights, but four years later count Ponç IV of Empúries set the town on fire.

During the Spanish Civil War, it remained loyal to the Republican government, and was repeatedly bombed by the rebels. Figueres recovered starting from the 1950s, consolidating its economy around the tourism industry.

A surrealist tribute to Salvador Dalí at the base of the Rambla, Figueres.

Situated in the north-east corner of Catalonia, Figueres is about 40 km (25 miles) from Girona, 140 km (87 miles) from Barcelona, 60 km (37 miles) from Perpignan, and 50 km (31 miles) from Girona-Costa Brava Airport. It is also served by its own railway station just east of the old town center.