The olive tree is the quintessential Andalusian crop, especially in the province of Jaén, which makes this land the largest producer of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the world. Today we will get to know better the districts of Jaén where this wonderful “Liquid Gold” is produced.
Jaén and the olive grove are so closely linked that it is practically impossible to understand the history, traditions, folklore, gastronomy, and even its way of life, without considering what this millennial crop represents for this land.
The province is divided into seven producing districts which, although they have marked differences in their orography, are inseparably united by having Olive Oil as their most important reference and main hallmark, as well as being the engine of their wealth and economic activity.
In today's entry we will travel through these districts, which will allow us to understand their particularities and, of course, the EVOOs produced in them.
La Campiña Norte
This district is located in the northwesternmost area of the province, being the natural entry into Andalusia through Sierra Morena, and it features two Natural Parks: Sierra de Andújar and Despeñaperros. From the Guadalquivir valley, Jaén opens to the south of the peninsula.
Its landscape alternates between mountains, pastures, and olive groves, predominantly of the Picual variety, with 95 percent of the cultivated area, the remaining five percent being other varieties, especially Arbequina.
It covers an area of 3,487 km² and is composed of 25 municipalities totaling 145,000 inhabitants: Andújar, Aldeaquemada, Arjona, Arjonilla, Bailén, Baños de la Encina, Carboneros, La Carolina, Cazalilla, Escañuela, Espeluy, Fuerte del Rey, Guarromán, Higuera de Calatrava, Jabalquinto, Lahiguera, Lopera, Marmolejo, Mengíbar, Porcuna, Santa Elena, Santiago de Calatrava, Torredonjimeno, Villardompardo, and Villanueva de la Reina.
Sierra Sur de Jaén
It is located in the southwest of the province, halfway between the plains and the mountains.
The most common variety is Picual, also known as Marteña, after the city of Martos located in this district. Livestock farming, especially sheep and goats, as well as vegetable crops, are also abundant.
It covers an area of 1,420 km² and has a population of around 96,000 inhabitants, consisting of ten municipalities, including Martos, Alcalá la Real, Alcaudete, Castillo de Locubín, Frailes, Fuensanta, Jamilena, Torredelcampo, Valdepeñas de Jaén, and Los Villares.
Sierra de Cazorla (Denomination of Origin)
In the southeast of Jaén province rises this natural wonder, world-renowned for the Natural Park of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura, and Las Villas, which, with over two hundred thousand hectares, is the largest protected natural area in Spain, occupying 40 percent of the district's total area of about 1,300 km². Its economic activity revolves around the tourism attraction of the park and the cultivation of olive groves whose oils hold the Denomination of Origin Sierra de Cazorla.
In its more than 37,000 hectares of olive groves, Picual and Royal varieties alternate; the latter, highly valued, is native to this district, which is made up of nine municipalities: Cazorla itself, Chilluévar, Hinojares, Huesa, La Iruela, Peal de Becerro, Pozo Alcón, Quesada, and Santo Tomé, together totaling 34,250 inhabitants.
El Condado
The El Condado district occupies the southeastern area of Sierra Morena, situated in the north of Jaén province.
Its territory alternates between olive groves, Mediterranean woodland, and extensive pastures. Due to its border location and crossroads, many peoples and cultures have settled here throughout history, including Iberians, Romans, Arabs, and Castilians, which explains the abundance of castles and fortresses.
The Romans were already familiar with its excellent oils. They are made from Picual olives and are identified with the “Condado Jaén Calidad Rural” brand, covering the 8 municipalities that make up the district: Arquillos, Navas de San Juan, Vilches, Santisteban del Puerto, Castellar, Montizón, Sorihuela del Guadalimar, and Chiclana de Segura, with a total area of 1,500 km² and 25,000 inhabitants.
Sierra Mágina (Denomination of Origin)
With an altitude of 2,167 meters, this district hosts the highest mountain in Jaén province, Pico Mágina, located in the central massif of the same-named range, as well as its extraordinary Natural Park in the center/south of the province.
As in the rest of Jaén province, olive cultivation is the basis of its economy, covering 95 percent of its cultivated area. The quality of its EVOOs led to the establishment in 1995 of the Regulatory Council of the “Sierra Mágina” Denomination of Origin.
Its population exceeds 57,000 inhabitants across sixteen municipalities: Torres, Albanchez de Mágina, Bedmar-Garcíez, Bélmez de la Moraleda, Cabra del Santo Cristo, Cambil-Arbuniel, Campillo de Arenas, Los Cárcheles (Carchel and Carchelejo), Huelma-Solera, Jimena, Jódar, La Guardia de Jaén, Larva, Mancha Real, Noalejo-La Hoya del Salobral, and Pegalajar-La Cerradura.
La Loma y Las Villas
The district occupies the central part of the province and produces a quarter of Jaén’s olive oil, the largest production area of this product in the world. Its privileged location, overlooking the Guadalquivir valley, has given rise to fertile plains with intensive olive cultivation, offering spectacular landscapes to visitors of its protected areas.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil production is the indisputable basis of its economic activity, although tourism, with the cities of Úbeda and Baeza declared World Heritage sites, already represents a significant contribution to the district’s wealth.
The total population exceeds 100,000 inhabitants across the 14 municipalities: the aforementioned Úbeda and Baeza, along with Begíjar, Canena, Ibros, Iznatoraf, Lupión, Rus, Sabiote, Torreblascopedro, Torreperogil, Villacarrillo, Villanueva del Arzobispo, and Villatorres.
Sierra de Segura (Denomination of Origin)
The district is also part of the Natural Park of Cazorla, Segura, and Las Villas in the northeast of the province. It is characterized by high-mountain Picual olive groves with a unique microclimate that produces very special EVOOs known as “Picual con Carácter,” being the first area to obtain a Denomination of Origin in Andalusia. It is also known for the native “Cordero Segureño” breed.
Its population reaches 26,600 inhabitants over an area of 1,900 km² and consists of 13 municipalities: Segura de la Sierra, Siles, Arroyo del Ojanco, Beas de Segura, Benatae, Génave, Hornos de Segura, Orcera, Puente de Génave, La Puerta de Segura, Santiago-Pontones, Torres de Albanchez, and Villarrodrigo.
We hope to have awakened your curiosity to discover this extraordinary land through the wonderful Extra Virgin Olive Oils produced in its districts, and we remind you that our online store offers a wide selection of the best EVOOs made in Jaén, undoubtedly the world capital of Olive Oil.
