Host City
Located in the centre of the geographical square formed by Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and the Basque Country, Zaragoza is Europe’s gateway to the Iberian Peninsula and has long played a decisive role in the interchange of communications and commerce.
Settled by the Romans in the year 14 B.C. along the banks of the Ebro River, Zaragoza conserves within its urban landscape traces of the ancient cultures most important in shaping the history of Spain. Amid this rich history, Zaragoza today is a thriving center of commerce embracing the challenges and opportunity of the digital economy. Here, entrepreneurs and shop-keepers, intellectuals and creators, workers and technical experts, teachers and students, all living and working together, provide Zaragoza with the energy that has made it a dynamic city.
The Aragon region has a rich cultural heritage. It is the homeland of world-renowned artists including Goya and Buñuel. Prestigious universities throughout the region host outstanding faculty in computer technology, telecommunications, the arts and sciences.
Zaragoza is proud to be the host city for Innovate!Europe, the unique and exclusive executive conference designed to catalyze and transform technology innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe.
Zaragoza at a Glance
Population: 640,000
Climate: Continental
Zaragoza, in the heart of the Aragon region, is among the fastest growing economies in Spain.
Zaragoza is at the hub of the motorway network of Northern Spain, linking Catalonia and the Basque Country with the Levante region and the Castillian plateau.
RENFE’s high-speed AVE rail service connects Zaragoza to Madrid in just over one hour.
Zaragoza’s International airport is equipped with the longest runway in Europe, and is a strategic cargo and freight handling center. The airport offers regular flights to Frankfurt, Milan, and London, as well as domestic destinations.
Zaragoza will serve as host city for Expo 2008, welcoming the world to this beautiful city in a celebration of “water for life.” Water dissolves borders, criss-crosses countries and unites continents. Expo 2008 explores the great eco-geographical areas of the planet on which we live.
Zaragoza is the Host City for Innovate!Europe, and welcomes you to join your technology peers June 13 – 15, 2005, to experience Zaragoza for yourself.