city, Valencia provincia (province), in the comunidad autónoma (autonomous community) of Valencia, eastern Spain. The city was united to Christian Spain by James I of Aragon in 1240. The area has an irrigation system dating from Moorish times. Many of Sueca's houses, with their horseshoe arches and miradores (view turrets), present a Moorish appearance. The city lies in a rice-growing area south of Valencia city along the Júcar River, and rice processing is its principal industry. Locally grown oranges are also exported. Tourism has been an important source of income since the late 20th century. Pop. (2007 est.) mun., 28,112.