Alghero
Alghero (Italian: [alˈɡɛːɾo]; Alguerese: L'Alguer [lalˈɣe]; Sardinian: S'Alighèra [saliˈɣɛɾa]; Sassarese: L'Aliera [laˈljɛːɾa]) is a city of about 45,000 inhabitants in the Italian insular province of Sassari in northwestern Sardinia, next to the Mediterranean Sea. The city's name comes from Aleguerium, which is a mediaeval Latin word meaning "stagnation of algae" (Posidonia oceanica).
Alghero
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|---|---|
| Città di Alghero (in Italian) Ciutat de l'Alguer (in Catalan) | |
16th century Aragonese Crown city walls | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Alghero | |
Alghero Location of Alghero in Sardinia Alghero Alghero (Sardinia) | |
| Coordinates: 40°33′36″N 08°18′54″E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sardinia |
| Province | SS |
| Frazioni | Fertilia, Guardia Grande, I Piani, Loretella, Maristella, Sa Segada, Santa Maria La Palma, Tramariglio, Villassunta |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mario Conoci (centre-right) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 224.43 km2 (86.65 sq mi) |
| Elevation 30 June 2017 | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Population (2018-01-01) | |
| • Total | 43,945 |
| • Density | 200/km2 (510/sq mi) |
| Demonyms | Algheresi Algueresos |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 07041 |
| Dialing code | 079 |
| Patron saint | St. Michael |
| Saint day | 29 September |
| Website | Official website |
The population is noted for having retained the language of the Crown of Aragon rulers from the end of the Middle Ages, when Sardinia was part of the Crown of Aragon; hence, Alguerese (the Catalan dialect spoken there) is officially recognized as a minority language.
Alghero is the third university center in the island, coming after Cagliari and Sassari. It hosts the headquarters of the Università degli Studi di Sassari's Architecture and Design department.