Costa de almeria

The Costa Almería (Costa de Almería) is situated within Andalucia and offers over 100 km. of coastline and landscapes and is located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, on the shores of the Mediterranean.

It has a coastline of mainly beaches, stretching from Pulpí in the east to Adra in the west. It descends from the Sierra de Gádor mountains until it joins the Mediterranean sea.

History

Almeria has been home to different civilisations throughout its history. Significant traces of their presence can be seen in the archaeological remains scattered all over the province.

There is evidence of a very special prehistoric culture in Los Millares and el Argar. Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Greeks exploited its mines and traded up and down its coast. The Romans, who settled here in the 3rd century B.C., transformed it into "Porto Magnus" on the Mediterranean and dominated the area until the later arrival of the Visigoths in the 7th century. The Arabs created the current capital in the 10th century, and from here they ruled over one of the most important taifas (kingdoms) in Muslim Spain. The Arab influence was the most significant, as they remained in Spain for almost eight centuries. There are several monuments which bear witness to the fertile history of this land. The castles and fortresses provide an exceptional historic testimony for understanding the societies of the past.

Long exposed to border conflicts and the need to defend itself, the province of Almería has a large number and variety of castles which comprise a heritage known to few. The mining industry brought about an economic recovery in the 19th century.

Landscape

The Sierra María-Los Vélez Nature Reserves with their castle, their caves and their rich fauna, and the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Nature Reserve, with its deserted beaches, wild cliffs and transparent sea beds, bring alive a landscape which offers the traveller the magic of snow, the Mediterranean forest , the desert and the sea.

Towns, Villages & Cities

There are 131 inhabited towns, villages and cities with the Costa de Almeria region, these include :- Abla, Abrucena, Adra, Agua Amarga, Aguadulce, Albanchez, Alboloduy, Albox, Alcolea, Alcontar, Alcudia, Alhabia, Alhama de Almeria, Alicun, Almadrabade Monteleva, Almeria (City), Almerimar, Almocita, Alsodux, Antas, Arboleas, Armuna de Almanzora, Bacares, Balerma, Bayarcal, Bayarque, Bedar, Beires, Benahadux, Benitagla, Benizalon, Bentarique, Berja, Cabo de Gata, Campohermoso, Canjayar, Cantoria, Carboneras, Castro de Filabres, Chercos, Chirivel, Cobdar, Cuevas del Almanzora, Dalias, Dona Maria, El Alquian, El Ejido, El Hijate, El Monsul, El Parador de las Horticheulas, Enix, Escullar, Felix, Fines, Finana, Fondon, Gador, Garrucha, Gergal, Huecija, Huercal de Almeria, Huercal Overa, Illar, Instincion, La Canada de San Urbano, La Isleta del Moro, La Mojonera, La Perulaca, Laroya, Las Marinas, Las Negras, Las Norias de Daza, Las Tres Villas, Laujar de Andarax, Lijar, Los Escullos, Los Gallardos, Los Perales, Lubrín, Lucainea de las torres, Lucar, Macael, Maria, Mojacar, Nacimiento, Nijar, Ocana, Ohanes, Olula de Castro, Olula del Rio, Oria, Padules, Partaloa, Paterna del Rio, Pechina, Pozo del Los Frailes, Puebla de Vicar, Puente del Rio, Pulpi, Purchena, Ragol, Retamar, Rioja, Rodalquilar, Roquetas de Mar, San Jose, San Juan de Los Terreros, Santa Cruz de Marchena, Santa fe de Mondujar, Senes, Seron, Sierro, Somontin, Sorbas, Sufli, Tabernas, Taberno, Tahal, Terque, Tijola, Turre, Turrillas, Uleila del Campo, Urracal, Velefique, Velez Blanco, Velez Rubio, Vera, Spain, Viator, Vicar, Zurgena

Gastronomy

Peppers and their derivative, ground red pepper, are the mainstays of this cuisine which has been handed down to the present, and is still served today in numerous houses and in some of the region’s restaurants.

External links

• Official Tourism Website of Andalusia
• Tourism website dedicated to the Costa Almeria region of Andalusia
• History of the Andalusian Flag