Murcia is a city on the river Segura in southeastern Spain and the capital of the Autonomous Community of Murcia . Its population in 2005 was 563,272 (including the metropolitan area), ranking as the 12th-largest metropolitan area of Spain.

Murcia is built nearly in the centre of a low-lying fertile plain, known as the huerta or market garden of Murcia, which includes the valleys of the Segura and its right-hand tributary the Guadalentín (Wadalentin) or river Sangonera, and is surrounded by mountains. Despite the proximity of the sea, the climate is subject to great variations: the summer heat is severe, while frosts are occasionally experienced in the capital during the winter.

Precipitation in Murcia is scarce, with less than 200 mm (7.9 inches) registered in the recently terminated hydrological year (October 2004 to September 2005).

Murcia-San Javier Airport is located on the edge of the Mar Menor close to the towns of San Javier and Santiago de la Ribera, 45 km southeast of Murcia, about 30 minutes by car. The airport at Alicante is frequently used by travellers to Murcia also.

There will be a new international airport near the city of Murcia sometime towards the end of the decade. Murcia is a bustling city, and its being the regional capital means it attracts a great deal of investment. The City of Murcia is currently the fastest growing in Spain.