Tres morillas de Jaén, by María Pilar Morales.
Jaén, located in the heart of southern Spain, is a province that reflects the spirit of Mediterranean agriculture. Its landscape, with rugged mountains and fertile plains, is dominated by vast olive groves and thriving orange orchards. These two types of trees have shaped the region’s culture, economy, and identity for centuries.
The olive tree is the cornerstone of Jaén’s agricultural industry, as the province is one of the world’s leading producers of olive oil. Olive groves stretch across the hills, their silvery-green leaves shining in the sunlight. These ancient trees are not just crucial to the local economy, but they also carry the history of Jaén, reaching back to Roman times.
While olives dominate the region, orange groves add a vibrant contrast. In the lower-lying areas, the bright blossoms and sweet fruit of orange trees contribute to Jaén’s agricultural variety. The citrus groves, with their fragrant flowers and colorful fruit, bring a fresh burst of life to the landscape, complementing the more muted tones of the olive trees.
Together, these trees define Jaén’s countryside, creating a balanced landscape that is both beautiful and essential to the province’s economy. The close relationship between the land and its agricultural traditions is at the heart of Jaén’s identity, making it a place where nature and culture are deeply intertwined.
