Acequia (irrigation canal)

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Acequia in New Mexico

An acequia (Spanish pronunciation: [aˈθekja]) is the name of a water channel in Spain and the former Spanish colonies through which water is directed for irrigation. The main purpose of an Acequia is the transport and distribution of water for irrigation of plains, fields and areas.

background

The design is of Arab origin and differs from the design of the Roman aqueducts . The Spanish word acequia comes from classical Arabicالساقية / as-sāqiya , which means something like "water pipe". The Arabs brought the technology to Spain during their rule over the Iberian Peninsula . Under the Arabs, acequias were established along the Spanish Mediterranean coast , especially in the Valencia region , the Murcia region ( Huerta de Murcia ) and in eastern Andalusia , especially in the Alpujarras . Many of these structures are still in use today. Acequias are also widely used for irrigation in Cuyo , Argentina .

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