A look at the Spanish region of Andalucia and its eight provinces - Almeria, Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Huelva, Jean, Malaga and Seville.

or many people Andalucia is all that they imaginerespectivly. When in 1718 a sandbar blocked
Spain to be. Great climate, sun, sea and beaches,Seville's port Cádiz became the centre for New
bullfighting, sherry and flamenco. Covering overWorld trade. The city declined after Spain lost its
33,000 square miles and running the length ofAmerican colonies .Cádiz resisted a two year
mainland Spain's southern coast it is the largestsiege by the French from 1810 to 181212 unti lthe
and most populous of the 17 autonomous regionsDuke of Wellington's forces relieved it. Cadiz fell to
of Spain. Andalusia is crossed by the Sierrathe Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. Today the
Morena mountain range in the north and in thecity, which lies at the southern end of the bay of
south by the snowcapped Sierra Nevada. TheCadiz, has an abundance of parks promanades
fertile basin of the Guadalquivir River lies betweenand squares. It is chiefly a port exporting wines,
these mountain ranges. Huelva, Seville, Cadiz,notably the local sherry which has a worldwide
Cordoba, Malaga, Jean, Granada and Almeria, allreputation and other agricultural items and
named for their principal cities, are the eightimporting coal, foodstuffs and iron. There is a
provinces that make up the regionlarge fishing fleet based here and some shipbuilding
History - Phoenicians first settled here in the 11thon a limited scale takes place. At the northern end
century BC founding several coastal coloniesof the bay is the US naval base at Rota.
among them Gadir which is now Cadiz. GreeksCordoba lies beside a loop in the river
and Carthaginians came in the 6th century BC.Guadalequiver upstream from Seville. During the
The Romans expelled the Carthaginians in the 3rdtime when the Romans ruled Cordoba was the
century BC and they in turn had their rule endedlargest city in Spain and enjoyed great
by the Visigoths in the 5th century AD. 711 sawprominence during the time of the Moors. They
the Moors cross the Strait of Gibraltar andbuilt the Mezquita, the most beuatiful mosque in
establish the centre of their western emirate hereSpain.
in Cordoba. The Moorish period was the goldenGranada - Originally a Moorish fortress, it became
age of Andalusia. Agriculture, leather working,the seat of the kingdom of Granada in 1238. At
mining, pottery, textiles and trade were allthe hieght of Moorish rule this kingdom
fostered and brought great prosperity. Cordoba,encompassed both the nieghbouring province of
Granada and Seville, embellished by the greatestMalaga and Almeria as well as parts of Cadiz and
Moorish monuments in Spain, the Mezquita, theJean. During this time the city was recognized as
Alcazar and the Alhambra Palace respectivelya centre of art, commerce, industry and science.
were celebrated as centres of arts, culture andAs the christians drove south the city was the
science. It remained under Moorish rule until thestronghold of the Moors in Spain, surrending
13th century when, with the exception of theeventually in 1492. In the 17th century Granada
Moorish kingdom of Granada, most of it wasowed it's exi prominance to the fact that it was a
conquered in by the kings of Castile, who in turnmajor silk centre. It stands at the confluence of
fell to the Catholic kings in 1492. Andalucia declinedthe rivers Darro and Genil. The local surrounding
along with the rest of the country from the 16tharea is given over to agriculture and mineral
century onwards. Although trade with the Newextraction with Granada acting as the commercial
World enabled the ports of Seville and Cadiz tohub for these. The city is a major tourist centre
continue to flourish. In 1713 Gibraltar was ceded towith attractions such as the Alhambra Palace and
Britain and in 1833 Andalucia was divided into theother notable Moorish buildings. Facing the
present eight provinces. The region was aAlhambra across the Darro river, the Sacromonte
stronghold of anarchism during the Spanishhill is honeycombed with gypsy caves. The nearby
republic. It, however, fell early to the insurgents inski resorts in the Sierra Nevada also bring visitors
the Spanish civil war. Recurrent demonstrationsto the locality. South of Granada lie the valleys of
against Franco were seen across Andalucia duringthe Alpajarras bounded to the north by the Sierra
his dictatorship. It became an autonomous regionNevada and to the south the sierras of Lujar, La
in 1981and elected its first parliament the followingContraviesa and Gador. The area is very
year.picturesque dotted with the traditional
The region has some interesting contrasts. Thewhitewashed villages. Fertile soil provides good
deserts of Almeria in the east are the driest partfarming with citrus fruit, bananas and avacadoes
of the whole country, while Sierra de Grazalemaamongst the food grown.
in the southwest, because it exposed to winds ofThe city of Huelva which is the capital of the
the Atlantic, is the rainiest part of Spain. Both theprovince of the same name lies on the Odiel river.
cities of Cordoba and Seville are notorious forIt is a busy port exporting copper, cork and
their stifleing heat during the summer months butsulphur. Like most Spanish ports it has it's fishing
the peaks of the Sierra Nevada remain snowfleeet and in addition some oil refining and ship
capped all year round. And contrast the ruggedbuilding. It has a limited tourist trade during the
coastline of the Cabo de Gata or the Atlanticsummer months. The city is supplied with water
coast of Cadiz, both with their comparativelyvia a Roman aquaduct. Columbus planned his
deserted beaches, with the intensely developedvoyages at the nearby La Rabida monastery. The
area in the province of Malaga. Yes the beachesCoto de Donana National Park, Europes most
are still there - you just can't see them for theimportant and largest wildlife sanctuary, lies in the
tourists.delta of the river Guadalquiver. 60,000 acres have
There is still a strong Moorish influence in thebeen fenced of to provide the perfect habitat for
character, customs and language of the people.varied speices of wildlife, birds in particular.
With its tradition of bull fights, flamenco music andJaen was once the seat of a small Moorish
dance it is one of Europe's most strikingly colourfulkingdom and played an important role in the
regions. With the abundance of Moorishconquest of Granada from the Moors by Christian
architecture and it's pleasant climate it is easy toforces during the 15th century. During the
see why the growth of tourism has been soPeninsular war of the early 1800's the French won
strong in recent decades. Agriculturally, barrena major victory here. Today it is the commercial
lands contrast with richly fertile regions wherehub for a fertile agricutural area producing olive oil
cereals, citrus fruit, grapes, olives and sugar caneand wine. Europes richest lead mines are nearby
are produced. Industries, based generally on localand copper and iron are also extracted. The town
agricultural produce, include flour milling, olive-oilAlcalá la Real is known it's mineral springs. The
extracting and wine making. Cattle, bulls for theParque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, over
ring, and fine horses are bred. The rich mineral2,000 square kilometres, is the biggest protected
resources, exploited since Phoenician times, includeare in Spain. Here you might see ibex, red or
copper, iron, lead and zinc. But despite all thisfallow deer and wild boar.
poverty is widespread. Farm labourers are amongThe city of Malaga was founded by the
the poorest in Europe and many unemployedPhoenicians and passed through the hands of the
people have migrated to the industrial centresCarthaginians, the Romans, the Visigoths and the
further to the north.Moors when it prospered as a major seaport for
Semana Santa - Easter is Andalucia's majorthe kingdom. It finally fell to the Christian forces in
festival and is celebrated for a full week. It1487 Málaga is situated on the bay of Malaga and
features processions of hooded penitentsis a major port. Exports include the local wine,
alongside floats decorated with scenes from thealmonds, dried fruits, olives and iron ore. It's
passion travelling through the streets of mostbeaches, luxurious vegitation and mild climate
cities and large towns. Accommodation can bemake it one of the world's leading tourist
difficult to find during the week and booking aheaddestinations. Picasso was born in here and you will
is advised.find a museum of his works.
Flamenco is believed to have been introduced toSeville was important in Phoenician times and
Andalucia, it's home today, in the 15th century byfavoured by the Romans. It continued as the
gypsies arriving in the region. It is a combination ofmajor city of southern Spain under the Visigoths.
music, predominantly the guitar, song and danceIt fell to the Moors in 712 and became a
and is played at fiestas, in bars and at privateprominent centre for culture and commerce.
parties. Audience participate is very muchAfter a drawn out siege it was captured by the
encouraged.Christians in 1248. Some 300,000 Moors are
Almeria - Probably founded by Phoenicians,reputed to have fled the city following it's capture.
Almeria flourished from the 13th to the 15thSeville entered its greatest period of prosperity
centuries as the outlet of the Moorish kingdom ofwith the discovery of the Americas and was the
Granada. In 1489 it fell to the Christians. Todaymain trading port with the new colonies. In 1718 a
the sunny, mild climate attracts many northernsandbar closed the port to shipping and Seville
Europeans both as tourists and permanentwent into a steady decline. The French sacked
settlers. The capital, also Almeria, is a busythe city in 1810. Throughout the civil war Seville
Mediterranean port. It exports significant amountswas held by the Nationalists. Today Seville is both
of agricultural produce, as well as iron and othercapital to the province and the region of Andalucia.
minerals mined nearby. The city has refineries,Standing on the river Guadalquiver, which
chemical and cement plants, and light industries.connects it to the Atlantic, it has returned to be a
Cadiz - In 1100 BC the Phoenicians founded theport of note accessible to ocean going vessels.
port of Gadir, known today as Cadiz, whichExports include minerals, cork, fruit, olives and
became a market for silver and tin. Some 600wines. Armanents, chemicals, explosives,
years later it was taken by the Carthaginians andmachinary, perfume, pharmaceuticals, porcelain,
passed in the 3rd century BC to the Romans. Ittextiles and tobacco are all manufactured locally. It
flourished until the fall of Rome, but suffered fromis a major cultural and tourist centre. Seville has
the Visigoths and unlike much of Andaluciakept much of its Moorish aspect and one of the
declined further under the Moors. Its fortificationsworld's largest cathedrals occupies the site of a
were rebuilt following it's reconquest in 1262 byformer mosque. The Giralda tower and the court
Alfonso X of Castile. Following the discovery ofof oranges remain from the original Moorish
the New World, Cadiz revived its prosperity, asstructure. You will also find the tomb of
many ships from America unloaded their cargoesChristopher Columbus within the cathedral. The
there. Columbus sailed from Cádiz in 1495, his14th century Alcazar, built by Moorish artisans
second voyage. Inthe late 16th century both Sirstands next to the cathedral and is superseded
Francis Drake and the earl of Essex led attacksonly by Granada's Alhambra Palace. It is
on the fleet anchored there and the cityrecognized as Spain's leading centre for bullfighting.