episcopal see when the bishop of Cartagena fled there after the Visigothic king Suintila (c. 588633/635) destroyed that city. It remained a bishopric until Bigastro in its turn was destroyed by Arabs at the end of the 7th century. No longer a residential diocese, Bigastro is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see. The pilgrimage town of Caravaca de la Cruz is located about 5 minutes west of Cehegín. Access to the town from Murcia was much improved by the construction of the C415 motorway in the late 1990s. Geography Physical geography Quípar River traverses the municipality from the west to the northeast. Other remarkable landforms are three mountain ranges, which are located in the southern half. Human geography The municipality hosts the following localities: the main town, which is located in the west and has a population of 12,888; Canara, which is in the north-western quarter and is inhabited by 561; Campillo y Suertes, where 224 people live; Valentín, which is placed in the north end and is home to 377 people; Cañara de Canara, which is located in the northern half and is home to 182 people; Chaparral, which is placed in the eastern half and is inhabited by 170 people; Campillo de Los Jiménez, which occurs in the northern half and is home to 163 people; Carrasquilla, which is located in the northern half and has a population of 114; El Escobar, which occurs in the south of the northern half and is home to 88 people; Ribazo, which is placed in the south of the northern half and has a population of 81; Burete, which is located in the southern half and is inhabited by 8 people and Gilico, which is placed in the north-west and is inhabited by 1 person. Governing Cabinet Members of the governing cabinet include José Rafael Rocamora Gabarrón: President Maravillas Fernández García: First Deputy Mayor and Councillor of Town planning, Industry, Financial Promotion, Patrimony and Hiring. Ismael Avellán García: Second Deputy Mayor and Councillor of Communication, Tourism, Youth Association, Celebrations and New Technologies. Joaquín López Carreño: Third Deputy Mayor and Councillor of Public Safety and Environment. Ana M.ª Molina López: Fourth Deputy Mayor and Councillor of Social Services, Staff and Internal Rules. Francisco Chico Molina: Fifth Deputy Mayor and Councillor of Education and Culture. Demographics Like most towns in the region, Cehegín experienced a big demographic increase until