ELCHE

town, Alicante province, in the autonomous community (region) of Valencia, southeastern Spain, on the Ro Vinalop just south of Alicante city. Of Iberian origin, the site was inhabited by Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans (who named the town Ilici). Under Arab domination, the name was changed to Elx, whence Elche. A well-known example of 5th-century BC Iberian art, a polychrome stone statue known as La dama de Elche (The Lady of Elche), was found on a nearby archaeological site in 1897; a mosaic floor with Latin inscriptions was also uncovered there in 1959. A local customdeclared a national artistic monument in 1931is observed annually on August 1415 in the 17th-century church of Santa Mara with performances of the medieval drama Misterio de Elche, representing the Assumption of the Virgin. Primary economic activity is based on the nearby El Palmeral (Palm Grove), of Carthaginian origin; it produces dates and fronds for export. Other fruits grown include pomegranates, figs, and olives. Elche manufactures olive oil, soap, esparto fabrics, and hempen sandals (alpargatas). Pop. (1981) 143,000.