Valencia is the 3rd largest city in Spain after madrid and Barcelona. It is situated in the autonomous community of the same name at the mid point of the east coast of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea. The greater metropolitan area has a population of some 1.5 to 2 million people. The city has a large historical centre. It was founded in 138BC by the Romans. Later it was ruled by the Moroccan and Arab Moors before it was taken by christians in the 13th century.