La Mancha is an arid, fertile, elevated plateau (610 m or 2000 ft.) of central Spain, south of Madrid, stretching between the Montes (mountains) de Toledo and the western spurs of the Cerros (hills) de Cuenca, and bounded on the south by the Sierra Morena and on the north by the La Alcarria region. It includes portions of the modern provinces of Cuenca, Toledo, and Albacete, and most of the Ciudad Real province. It constitutes the southern portion of the Castile-La Mancha autonomous community and makes up most of the region.
La Mancha is derived from the Arab word al-mansha, "land dry". The name of the city of Almansa in Albacete also has the same origin.
The largest plain in the Iberian Peninsula, La Mancha is made up of plateaux averaging 500 to 600 meters in altitude (although it reaches 900 meters in Campo de Montiel and other parts), centring on the province of Ciudad Real. The region is watered by the Guadiana, Jabalón, Záncara, Cigüela, and Júcar rivers.
The climate is continental, with strong fluctuations. Agriculture (wheat, barley, oats, wine grapes) is the primary economic activity, but it is severely restricted by the harsh environmental conditions.
La Mancha is one the oldest wine regions in Spain. Located on a high plateau between Madrid and Andalusia known for its windmills and the men who tilt at them. The low rainfall and moderately hot summers produce fully ripened grapes. For reds this means Cencíbel (the primary grape), Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, and Moravia--and for whites Airén, Macabeo, Pardilla.
La Mancha's huge area is one of the largest in the world; it makes up half of Spain's wine growing capacity.
La Mancha is an arid, fertile, elevated plateau (610 m or 2000 ft.) of central Spain, south of Madrid, stretching between the Montes (mountains) de Toledo and the western spurs of the Cerros (hills) de Cuenca, and bounded on the south by the Sierra Morena and on the north by the La Alcarria region. It includes portions of the modern provinces of Cuenca, Toledo, and Albacete, and most of the Ciudad Real province. It constitutes the southern portion of the Castile-La Mancha autonomous community and makes up most of the region.