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Extremadura, historic homelandPopulation 1/2008: 1,095,894 of whom 35,049 (3.2%) are foreigners Spain's least developed region lies south west of Madrid on the Portuguese frontier. Home to just over a million people, it was the homeland of many who left looking for a better life elsewhere. In 1492 the Jewish colonies, such as in the beautiful village of Hervás, were forced to leave after the edict by the "Catholic Kings" Ferdinand and Isabella which followed the fall of muslim Granada and banished all non-Catholics from their kingdom. In the same year, Columbus discovered America and soon many Extremedurans followed in his footsteps including Cortés, conqueror of Mexico and Pizarro, conqueror of Perú.  Mount Almanzor, view from La Vera (Sharon Esau) Although many speak a dialect close to regular Castilian, a small proportion of the population speak a language closer to the Gallego of Galicia. A Fala, is reduced now to inhabitants of a few secluded villages close to the Portuguese frontier. Some Bible translation work is being done in this language by SIL: (Site in Spanish). The churchesMembership (IESEF 2001) (except Gypsy Filadelfia church): 580 The are probably twice as many Filadelfia church members, but this is impossible to calculate at prresent. (PTL estimated a total church membership in '97 of 1,544) More on the gypsies. 20 years ago the number of evangelical churches could be counted on one hand. Now, thanks to the efforts both of local Christians and missions such as Operation Mobilisation, plus the revival among the gypsies, the picture is somewhat different and a good number of churches is gradually being established. More info at the Baptist mission based site. |