About Andalucia - Information on Andalucia
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The Alhambra Palace |
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El Tajo - Ronda |
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Fabulous Beaches |
Andalucían fiestas are the noisiest and most colourful (can you hack the pace of Seville's Feria de Abril?), Easter processions have more pageantry, the summer heat is more broiling, the people are at their most vivacious, fun-loving and family-oriented. The coastal tourist resorts are the most densely crowded in the whole country, though you may be able to find a beach to yourself along the Costa de Almería if you're lucky.
Andalucía is the proud home of Spain’s most famous building, that bejewelled diadem of Islamic architecture, Granada’s Alhambra, as well as other marvellous relics of medieval Islamic Spain. The region also has a lesser-known but as fabulous heritage of cathedrals, palaces and castles from later eras. Contemporary Andalucía is ever more cosmopolitan and fashionable, with towns and cities like Córdoba, Cádiz and Málaga full of hip boutiques and hip bars, stylish restaurants and pumping nightlife - pulsating with life while maintaining their historic charm.
Geography of Andalucia
Andalucía, with its 54,000 square miles of territory, has often been described as the bridging point between Africa and Europe, as well as the place where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Certainly, there can be few places in the world where, in just one region, you can encounter so much diversity. Here, you can find Spain’s highest mainland mountain, 500 miles of coastline, semi-deserts, fertile marshlands, huge forests and some of the most spectacular cities in the world.
Climate of Andalucia
Although Andalucía can generally be said to have a typical Mediterranean coastal climate it is hardly surprising that, in a region of such geographical diversity, there are some significant differences in climate between various locations. Summers are invariably hot and dry, with temperatures often in the 30s or even higher inland. Winters are mild – temperatures will often be between 20 and 25 degrees – and most of the rain will fall in concentrated bursts.
However, bear in mind that around Grazalema the rainfall is significantly higher than elsewhere and that in Granada you can see snow on the mountains even in August. And you can ski in the Sierra Nevada during the winter! In fact, many people love the experience of skiing in the mountains during the morning and then driving down to the coast for an afternoon swim.
The famous Levante wind, especially during Spring and Autumn, brings delight to wind surfers in the Tarifa area but can be quite distracting for people wanting a quiet day on the beach.
Economy of Andalucia
More than 50% of the working population is now employed in the service sector, reflecting just how important tourism is to the region’s economy. Additionally, the building industry has in recent years been thriving, which has helped slightly reduce Andalucía’s high unemployment rate. Agriculture, mainly grain, vegetables, olives, fruits, wine and cotton, is still important – especially in the fertile plains of the Guadalquivir valley. The large scale immigration of permanent residents from more northerly parts of Europe has had a mixed impact on the economy. Obviously it has brought in much needed revenue but it has also pushed house prices up for local people – in an area where the average income per person is well below the national average. Additionally, as many newcomers have not officially registered as permanent dwellers here – they have often had a negative impact on local services and amenities. |
