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Municipality
Geographical location Economical activities

Geographical location

-Area: approximately 869 hectares.
-Altitude: 28 metres above sea level.
-Population: 877. (From the 1988 census).

-Distribution of the population

La Riera de Gaià is formed by 4 populated centres: -the old town centre itself

-Ardenyà
-Virgili
-El Castellot

-Characteristics of the territory:

La Riera is a municipality located in the lowest part of the Gaià Valley, bordering to the south with the municipality of Tarragona, to the west with El Catllar, to the north with Vespella, to the north-east with La Nou de Gaià and to the east with Altafulla.

The Gaià River flows across the municipality. It comes from the municipality of Salomó, acting in these first kilometres as a border of the region as far as the dam of El Catllar, it then outlines the massif of Bonastre, flows across the mountains to La Riera, where the river starts its last stretch.

-Means of transport and infraestructures

The main means of transport are the national road N-340 that connects the northern and southern regions, the highway A-7 that also goes from north to south and exits in Torredembarra. The future detour of the N-340 will bring near other municipalities in the region. There is also a net of local roads that connect the villages and the housing estates in the area.

There is a railway that goes from Roda to Reus passing through La Riera, La Pobla de Montornés and El Catllar but, nowadays it has fallen into desuse. In La Riera there are 10 bridges purposely built for this railway in 1884.

There is a bus line that goes from Salomó to La Riera and also another bus service that stops in Ferran (2km away from La Riera).

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Economical activities

-Predominating sectors

The most important sectors in town are retail trade, industry, tourism, agriculture and cattle raising (these latter two are going through a period of recession).

According to the statistics by the Chamber of Commerce industry and Shipping of Tarragona from 1997 the financial licenses are the following:

Industry and Construction 45
Retail trade 38
Services 18

-Description of the main activities

There is not any specific equipment for tourism in the village. Most of the summer tourists have been visiting the village for years and even have relatives in town. They usually go to the closest beaches (Torredembarra, Altafulla and La Punta de la Mora) or go on hiking or biking trips in the area. Besides, in the summer, the village also organises many social and cultural events (Town Festivals, the 'Casals d'Estiu' for the children...).

La Riera used to be a peasant town but, with the passing of the years, agriculture has gradually gone down. If you take a walk in the outskirts of town you will see that La Riera is still surrounded by vegetable gardens cultivated by people with spare time.

There are also some hazelnut, carob, olive tree fields and vineyards. In the 60's the kidney beans grown in La Riera were famous for their excellent taste.

There is news from the 17th century that prove hemp was grown in the village. This growing took up all the irrigated lands. There were many manufacturers in town until the first quarter of the 19th century, when Mr. Sedó put together all the local weavers in the same factory that is still working in the present.

Equipments

-Schools

There is one public primary school (Col.legi Públic 'Montoliu').

-Culture

The village counts with a multi-purpose hall ready to hold meetings, exhibitions or any other activity. A theatre for all kind of performances and balls and also a public library.

-Sports

There is a football pitch and a course court for skating.

-Lodging

Fonda Riera: Sant Antoni street.
Manny people have stayed in this inn, even some celebrities that performed in our Town Festivals (Bigas Luna, Mari Santpere, La Trinca, La Meravella, Pau Riba, Bartolozzi, Pere Tàpies, Montse Carulla, Paco Morán...).

-Services

Town Hall: Main Square, 1 Telephone number: 977655000
Doctor's consulting room: 977655555
Chemist's shop: 977655155

-Casals and associations

The Grup de Joves de la Riera (youth association) includes :
- Grallers de La Riera de Gaià
- Ball de Nanos de La Riera de Gaià
- Els baladres de La Riera de Gaià
Colla Gegantera Les Manotes
Balls parlats de La Riera de Gaià (Ball de Santa Margarida and Ball de diables)
Club Patí de la Riera (skating club)
Club de Futbol de la Riera (football club)
Cooperativa agrícola (farming co-operative)
Comunitat de Regants (Water- cart community)
Societat de caçadors (hunting society)
Unió de Pagesos (Peasant association)
Associació de Pares de La Riera (Parents association)
Associació de Pares de l' Escola Montoliu (Parents association)
Llar d'avis de La Riera de Gaià (old people's house)
Joventut marxosa de La Riera (youth association)
Associació de veïns de l'Eixample (neighbours association)

Grocery Stores and other shops

Carnisseria-cansaladeria Cal Pastó (Butcher's shop)
Forn de pa Ca La Felisa (Bakery)
Merceria Gèneres de punt Pepita Bilbao (Haberdashery)
Forn de pa Can Gils (Bakery)
Forn de pa Marcel (Bakery)
Perruqueria Montse (Hair salon)
Kiwifruits
Can Pistraques
Friutes i verdures LLUIS, vins i caves (Grocery store)
Sally, moda en roba (Clothing store)
Perruqueria Montse Grillo (Hair salon)
Perruqueria Mònica (Hair salon)

Repair shops

Taller Soto: Pau Casals Street, 64
Taller Marcel.lí Sendrós: Santa Margarida Street
Taller Auto-Recasens: Sant Pau Street, 41
Planxisteria d'automòbils Samperi: Sant Lluís Street, 35

Constructors

Construccions Germans Sumoy: Sant Joan Street, 22
Construccions Recasens: Alzinar Street, 11
Construccions Joan Serramià: Sant Joan Street, 35
Construccions Germans Infantes s.c.p.: Road to El Catllar, A-3-1
Construccions Joaquim Moya: Sant Lluís Street, 19

Other shops

Fusteria Ebenisteria Argilaguet, sl: Sant Joan Street, 22
Fusteria i Decoració J. Vendrell Queralt: Sant Pau Street, 8 (Carpenter's shop)
Fusteria Serramià: Fondo Street (Carpenter's shop)
Transports i excavacions TRAIVAL, SL (Ardenya)
JM FORTUNY, bricklayer works (Ardenya)
ANTON VIDAL, painter: Major Street
Cantera Ferran, SL (finca La Capellana), stone quarry
Serralleria Amador Pascual: Pau Casals Street, 5
AL-FER, S.C.P. (Forge works)
Co-operative Cellar (oil, wine, cava, dried fruits): Sant Joan Street
Electricitat Monclús: Sant Joan Street, 49 (electrician)
Jaume Sumoy, electrician: Sant Antoni Street
Ramon Saez Bilbao, landscaping: Sant Lluís, 11
Servei La Riera Reparació d'electrodomèstics: Pau Casals Street, 1 (Reparation of electric appliances)
El Molí, gardening tools and complements: Pau Casals, 64

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