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Date Published: 25/01/2024

Should the Region of Murcia change its name?

Some people have come out in favour of changing the name of the Region of Murcia for this reason…

Anyone who lives here or spends any length of time here will know that the Region of Murcia is special, and not just for its weather, culture and people. It is the only one of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities that refers to itself as a ‘Región’.

Most of the comunidades autónomas simply have one name – take Andalucía, for example. There are some that preface their names with the word ‘Community’ (See Comunidad de Madrid, Comunidad Foral de Navarra and Comunidad Valenciana). Asturias is a bit of a strange one since it’s a principality (el Principado de Asturias).

But the Región de Murcia is unique. Is it accurate, though?

The name was voted into existence in 1982, during the democratic transition in Spain. Before this period, the Region was part of a broader entity that included Albacete. The designation ‘Region of Murcia’ was adopted to reflect the autonomy and historical identity of this territory, linking it to its past as the ancient Kingdom of Murcia.

However, the name ‘Murcia’ may not be “the one that best corresponds to its historical identity”, as outlined by the Spanish constitution.

Also of interest: The Spanish Constitution—what it is and why it is so important

The name ‘Murcia’ may not properly reflect the political and administrative evolution of the area over time, from the first Iberian settlements, through the Roman province of Carthaginensis to contemporary Spain.

One more inclusive suggestion is that the name be changed to “Región del Segura”, which corresponds better to the geographical area of this corner of southeast Spain. It would also, in the words of proponent Mafranpe, “Differentiate between the capital and the province”.

Right now, it can create a bit of confusion that the name of the capital city of Murcia is the same as the name of the province, and it creates something of a bee in the bonnet of people in the other big provincial city, Cartagena. (On a side note, Murcia is one of just 7 uniprovincial autonomous communities in Spain, and one of only 2 where the name of the community is the same as the name of the city. The other is Madrid.)

The proponent of the name change also says that “Región de Murcia” is simply an “ugly” name, whereas “Región del Segura” is “lovely”.

In one interesting map, X user Palerica shows different maps that compare the current Region of Murcia, the former Kingdom of Murcia, the area of the Segura Hydrographic Conference water authority and the approximate extension of the Murcian dialect of speech, to propose a new composition for the Region.

REGIÓN DE MURCIA:

- Nombre feísimo
- Ambigüedad a la hora de decir "Murcia"
- Los cartageneros se chinan

REGIÓN DEL SEGURA

- Nombre guapísimo
- Diferencia entre capital y provincia
- Los cartageneros se chinarían igual (aunque con menos razones) https://t.co/EBgGxoSk2g
— Mafranpe 🍋 (@nosoymafranpe) January 23, 2024

What do you think? Should Murcia change its name?

Image: CARM

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