Tomelloso

Tomelloso (Spanish: [tomeˈʎoso] ) is a municipality located in the northeast of the province of Ciudad Real, within the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha in Spain. Situated in the geographic center of the natural region of La Mancha and with a population of 36,304 (2023) it is the most populous municipality in the comarca and ranks as the eighth largest in Castilla-La Mancha. The municipal territory is predominantly flat, except in the southeast, where the land gently rises to form the Campo de Montiel plateau. The area is characterized by extensive vineyards, with smaller areas dedicated to cereal crops, olive trees, pistachios, almond trees, and other irrigated crops. Tree coverage is sparse. The municipality is crossed only by the Córcoles and Záncara rivers (the latter forming the boundary with Pedro Muñoz), although several seasonal streambeds are evident during periods of heavy rainfall. Since the Middle Ages, the area has been traversed by a branch of the Cañada Real Conquense, an ancient drovers' road. Tomelloso shares its northern border with Pedro Muñoz, its eastern border with Socuéllamos, its southern border with Argamasilla de Alba and Alhambra, and its western border with Campo de Criptana and Arenales de San Gregorio.