Oviedo [aw-vye-thaw]

Oviedo

[aw-vye-thaw]
Oviedo, city (1990 pop. 194,637), capital of Oviedo prov. (coextensive with the autonomous region of Asturias) NW Spain, near the great mining district of the Cantabrian Mts. Oviedo is one of the most important industrial centers of Spain; ordnance, firearms, gunpowder, textiles, food, and many other products are manufactured. The mining of coal and iron is a major industry. Founded c.760, Oviedo flourished in the 9th cent. as the capital of the Asturian kings but lost much of its importance after the capital was transferred to León early in the 10th cent. The cathedral, begun in 1388, contains the tombs of the Asturian kings and has a high square tower. Adjoining it is the Camara Santa (9th and 11th cent.), which housed the cathedral's store of sacred relics and treasures, famous throughout all Spain. The Univ. of Oviedo was founded in 1604. The city suffered severely during the revolt of the Asturian miners in 1934 and in a siege during the civil war. A new quarter has since been built on the southwest side of the city.
ancient Asturias

City (pop., 2001: 201,154), capital of Asturias, northwestern Spain. Oviedo lies on a hill surrounded by mountains and a fertile plain. Founded as a monastery in AD 757, it became the capital of the kingdom of Asturias in 810. It was one of the few Spanish towns never conquered by the Moors and contains many medieval landmarks, including a 14th-century cathedral. The cathedral was badly damaged during the Spanish Civil War. Oviedo is the centre of a mining region that produces coal and iron.

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Oviedo is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,316 at the 2000 census. As of 2006, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 30,618. .

Geography

Oviedo is located at .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.0 km² (15.4 mi²). 39.2 km² (15.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (2.07%) is water. Oviedo is about 20 minutes from downtown Orlando, FL by highway (417 & 408). The Econlockhatchee River runs through the east part of the city, and a tributary, the Little Econlockhatchee River, runs through the southern part of the city.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,316 people, 8,556 households, and 7,178 families residing in the city. The population density was 671.6/km² (1,738.9/mi²). There were 8,977 housing units at an average density of 229.1/km² (593.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.55% White, 8.83% African American, 0.27% Native American, 2.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.62% from other races, and 2.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.19% of the population.

There were 8,556 households out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 9.99% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.10% were non-families. 10.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the city the population was spread out with 32.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 36.60% from 25 to 44, 18.50% from 45 to 64, and 5.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $64,119, and the median income for a family was $96,288. Males had a median income of $46,777 versus $30,757 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,831. About 3.30% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.70% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

The city of Oviedo's public schools are a part of Seminole County Public Schools. Oviedo contains 6 public elementary schools (K-5), 2 public middle schools (6-8), and 2 public high schools (9-12). The city of Oviedo is also home to a branch of Seminole Community College and is close to the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Elementary Schools (Public)

  • Carillon Elementary
  • John Evans Elementary
  • Lawton Elementary
  • Marguerite Partin Elementary
  • Douglas Stenstrom Elementary
  • Joan Walker Elementary

Middle Schools (Public)

  • Jackson Heights Middle School
  • Lawton Chiles Middle School

High Schools (Public)

Area Private Schools

Oviedo Marketplace

Oviedo is home to the Oviedo Marketplace mall. The mall is anchored by 3 major department stores which include Dillard's, Sears, and Macy's. Also located in the mall is Regal Cinemas 22. There is a food court, including Chick-fil-A and Subway. The mall has suffered from several new Orlando-area malls such as Waterford Lakes and the Mall of Millenia driving its consumer base away, but it is still common to find the Marketplace filled with many people. Also, Regal Cinemas 22 mostly enjoys full theaters.

Anchors & Majors

Oviedo on the Park

The city of Oviedo is currently planning a brand new downtown development just south of the current "old downtown" along Oviedo Blvd. The new town center will be a mixed-use development including town homes, single family living, apartment homes, restaurants, retail, and a planned amphitheater.

Phase I is commenced construction in the first quarter of 2007.

Oviedo chickens

Oviedo is known for a population of chickens that roam the downtown area, ironically near the restaurant Popeyes. There are so many of them roaming the area that often traffic stops as they cross the roads. The chickens have been featured on Oviedo t-shirts and coffee mugs and a poster commemorating one of Oviedo's annual civic festivals, "A Taste of Oviedo". Contrary to popular belief, there are no specific laws or statutes regarding the chickens, neither for their protection nor for their removal.

Hurricane season of 2004

In August 2004, the northwestern side of Hurricane Charley passed directly over Oviedo while still a Category 2 storm . More than half the city as well as much of the surrounding unincorporated areas had no power for 5-7 days. School was not in session county-wide for one full school week. The damages ranged from toppled oaks to destroyed homes. The worst damage was in Palm Valley, a mobile home retirement community less than a mile from UCF. Charley's damage in Oviedo is considered to be the worst in Seminole County history. Barely a month later, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne further battered the area resulting in additional damage and power outages, but they did not reach the level of Charley's fury.

February 2, 2007 Tornadoes

After the central Florida Tornadoes of February 2, 2007, Oviedo installed a Tornado Siren System.

References

External links

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