Alicante (in Valencian Alacant) is a Spanish city and municipality, capital of the province of the same name, one of the three provinces that make up the Valencian Community. It is a port city on the Mediterranean coast. With a population of 328,648 inhabitants (INE 2015), it is the second most populated municipality in the autonomous community and the eleventh in the country. It is an eminently tourist and service-oriented city.
The city has held this title since 1490, granted by Ferdinand II of Aragon, in addition to the titles of "Very Illustrious, Faithful and Ever Heroic City of Alicante". The first two were granted by Felipe V, and much later it was awarded the title of Heroic, granted by Alfonso XII according to a royal decree that appeared in the Official Bulletin of the Province on Friday 10th June 1881. Previously, Alfonso X the Wise had distinguished it with those of Loyal and Strenuous. Subsequently, it was Charles I who, together with the Golden Fleece for the coat of arms, granted in 1524, also confirmed the town's excellent treatment.
