The history of Valencia, one of the oldest cities in Spain, begins over 2100 years ago with its founding as a Roman colony under the name Valencia Edetanorum on the site of a former Iberian town, by the river Turia in the province of Edetania. Valencia (Valentia) was a prosperous area during the Roman Empire Valencia is famous for the City of Arts and Sciences, the Valencia Cathedral, the Old Town, the Central Market, and being the birthplace of paella. Valencia is also popular for its peculiar museums, quirky festivals, beautiful sunny weather, and fantastic sandy beaches. During the 20th century Valencia remained the third most populous city of Spain as its population tripled. Valencia was also third in industrial and economic development. Valencias live a quintessentially Mediterranean lifestyle, and it shapes their culture in big and small ways.