Málaga | |||
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Málaga and its port as seen from Gibralfaro mountain. | |||
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Málaga
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Coordinates: | |||
Country | Spain | ||
Autonomous Community | Andalusia | ||
Province | Málaga | ||
Founded | 7th century BC | ||
Government | |||
- Mayor | Francisco de la Torre Prados | ||
Area | |||
- City | 395 km2 (152.5 sq mi) | ||
- Urban | 561.71 km2 (216.9 sq mi) | ||
Elevation | 11 m (36 ft) | ||
Population (2009) | |||
- City | 568,305 | ||
- Density | 1,438.7/km2 (3,726.3/sq mi) | ||
- Urban | 1,046,279 | ||
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
- Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
Postcode | 29001-29018 | ||
Calling code | +34 (Spain) 95 (Málaga) | ||
Website | www.malaga.eu |
Málaga (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmalaɣa]) is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,305 in 2009, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in the country. This is the southernmost large city in Europe. It lies on the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) of the Mediterranean Sea, about 100 km (62.14 mi) east of the Strait of Gibraltar and about 130 km (80.78 mi) north of Africa.
Málaga enjoys a subtropical climate. Here are the warmest winters in Europe, with average temperatures above 17.2 °C (63.0 °F) during the day in the period December to February. The summer's season lasts about 8 months, from April to November, although also in December and March sometimes there are temperature above 20 °C (68.0 °F).
Málaga, together with adjacent towns and municipalities such as Rincon de la Victoria, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Alhaurin de la Torre, Mijas and Marbella, forms the Málaga metropolitan area, with a population of 1,046,279 over 827.33 km2 (319.43 sq mi) (density 1,264 hab / km²) - according to 2009 data.
Málaga's history spans about 2,700 years and is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was founded by the Phoenicians as Malaka about 770 BC, from the VI century BC in the Carthaginian Empire, from 218 BC - Roman Republic and later Roman Empire (as latin Malaca), after the fall of the empire of the 800 years under the domination of Arabs (as Mālaqah (مالقة)), from 1487 under the dominion of the Spaniards. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabian and Christian eras convert the historic center into an "Open Museum" displaying its rich history of more than 3,000 years.
This important cultural infrastructure and the rich artistic heritage have culminated in the nomination of Málaga as a candidate for the 2016 European Capital of Culture.
The internationally acclaimed Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas were born in Malaga.
The most important business sectors in Málaga are Tourism, Construction and Technology Services, but other sectors such as Transportation and Logistics are beginning to expand. The Technology Park of Andalusia (PTA), located in Málaga, has enjoyed significant growth since its inauguration in 1992. As of 2009, this high-tech, science and industrial park is home to 509 companies and employs over 13,600 people.
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The Phoenicians from Tyre founded the city here circa 770 BC. The name Malaka is probably derived from the Phoenician word for "salt" because fish was salted near the harbour. (Cf. "salt" in other Semitic languages, e.g. Hebrew מלח mélaḥ or Arabic ملح malaḥ.
After a period of Carthaginian rule, Malaka became part of the Roman Empire. In its Roman stage, the city (Latin name, Malaca) shows a remarkable degree of development. Transformed into a confederated city, it was under a special law, the Lex Flavia Malacitana. A Roman theatre was built at this time.[1]
In the 8th century AD, during the Muslim Arabic rule over Spain, the city became an important trade centre. Málaga was first a possession of the Caliphate of Córdoba. After the fall of the Umayyad dynasty, it became the capital of a distinct kingdom, dependent on Granada. During this time, the city was called Mālaqah (Arabic مالقة).
The traveller Ibn Battuta, who passed through around 1325, characterised it as "one of the largest and most beautiful towns of Andalusia [uniting] the conveniences of both sea and land, and is abundantly supplied with foodstuffs and fruits". He praised its grapes, figs, and almonds; "its ruby-coloured Murcian pomegranates have no equal in the world." Another exported product was its "excellent gilded pottery". The town's mosque was large and beautiful, with "exceptionally tall orange trees" in its courtyard.[2]
Málaga was one of the Iberian cities where Arab rule persisted the longest, having been part of the Emirate of Granada. While most other parts of the peninsula already succumbed to the reconquista, the medieval Christian Spanish struggled to drive the Muslim Arabs out. Málaga was conquered by Christian forces in 1487, five years before the fall of Granada.
On 24 August 1704 the indecisive Battle of Velez-Málaga, the largest naval battle in the War of the Spanish Succession, took place in the sea south of Málaga.
Málaga underwent fierce bombing by Nationalist or Republican air forces and naval units during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The well-known British journalist and writer Arthur Koestler was captured by the Nationalist forces on their entry into Málaga, which formed the material for his book Spanish Testament.
The first chapters of Spanish Testament by Arthur Koestler include an eye-witness account of the 1937 fall of Málaga to Francisco Franco's armies during the Spanish Civil War.
Tourism on the adjacent Costa del Sol has boosted the city's economy from the 1960s onwards.
The magnum opus of Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, "Malagueña", is named for the music of the Gypsies of this region of Spain.
Málaga is located in southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) on the northern side of the Mediterranean Sea. It lies about 100 km east of the Strait of Gibraltar and about 130 km east of Tarifa (the southernmost point of continental Europe) and about 130 km on north of Africa. Lies on a similar latitude (36°N) as Algiers in Algeria, Tunis in Tunisia, Aleppo in Syria, Mosul in Iraq, Tehran in Iran, Kunduz in Afghanistan and Fresno, California in the United States.
Málaga, together with the following adjacent towns and municipalities: Rincon de la Victoria, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Alhaurin de la Torre, Mijas and Marbella form the Málaga metropolitan area, with a population of 1,046,279 on 827.33 km² (density 1,264 hab / km²) - 2009 data. The urban area stretches mostly along a narrow strip of coastline but includes additional municipalities located in the mountains north of the coast: Cártama, Pizarra, Coín, Alhaurín el Grande, Casabermeja, Totalán, etc. Municipalities of the metropolitan area are connected to the road network (including motorways) with the urban area and Málaga city (the urban area can be reached by car in 20 minutes and Málaga city in 45 minutes). Sometimes the metropolitan area includes other municipalities where Málaga's public transportation network extends - establishment Consorcio de Transporte Metropolitano del Área de Málaga (en: Consortium of Transportation of Málaga Metropolitan Area). Together about 1.3 million (max. to 1.5 million) people live in the Málaga metropolitan area and the number grows every year because all the municipalities and cities of the area record an annual increase in population.
The climate is Subtropical–Mediterranean (Köppen climate classification: Csa)[3] with very mild winters and comfortable summers. Málaga enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of about 300 days of sunshine and only about 50 days with precipitation each year. Its coastal location with winds blowing from the Mediterranean Sea make the heat manageable during the summer.[4] It experiences the warmest winters of any European city with a population over 500,000 and over 100,000 jointly with two other cities in Spain: Almería and Alicante. Average temperature during the day in the period December-January-February is 17.23 °C (63.0 °F). During the winter, the Malaga Mountains (Montes de Málaga) block out the cold weather from north.[4]
Its average annual temperature is 18 °C (64 °F) (one of the highest results in Europe): 23 °C (73 °F) during the day and 13 °C (55 °F) at night. In the coldest month - January - the temperature typically ranges from 12 to 18 °C (54 to 64 °F) (rarely 10–11 °C (50–52 °F) and 19 °C (66 °F)) during the day, 7 to 13 °C (45 to 55 °F) at night (4–6 °C (39–43 °F) several times a year) and the average sea temperature is 15–16 °C (59–61 °F). In the warmest month - August - the temperature typically ranges from 26 to 32 °C (79 to 90 °F) during the day, above 20 °C (68 °F) at night and the average sea temperature is 23 °C (73 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded during the day in the city centre is 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) on the 13th of August 1881. On the August 1881 reported record, the average maximum temperature during the day was 34.8 °C (94.6 °F). The coldest temperature ever recorded was −0.9 °C (30 °F) at night (the same as tropical Miami) on 19 January 1891. The highest wind speed ever recorded was on the 16th of July 1980, measuring 119 km/h (73.94 mph). Málaga city has never recorded any snow.[5] Annual average relative humidity is 66%, ranging from 59% in June to 73% in December.[6] Yearly sunshine hours is 2,815[6], 2,857[7] or 2,914[8] per year - one of the highest results in Europe. This is almost double that of cities in the northern half of Europe (for comparison: London - 1,461, Warsaw - 1,571, Paris - 1,630), from 5-6 hours of sunshine / day in December to average 11 hours of sunshine / day in July. According to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística, 2007 saw 3,059 hours of sunshine.[9]
Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer being generally dry. Large fluctuations in temperature are rare. Generally - the summer's season lasts about 8 months, from April to November. Two months - December and March - are transitional, sometimes there are temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F). January and February (the coldest months) are characterized by early-autumn/spring temperatures - they resemble daytime temperatures in late September/early October and the end of April for the northern half of Europe. Málaga is one of the few cities in Europe which are "green" all year round.
Climate data for Málaga | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Source: World Meteorological Organization (UN)[10], Agencia Estatal de Meteorología[6] |
The old historic center of Málaga reaches the harbour to the south and is surrounded by mountains to the north- Montes de Málaga (part of Baetic Cordillera), lying in the southern base of the Axarquía hills, and two rivers, the Guadalmedina - the historic center is located on its left bank - and the Guadalhorce, which flows west of the city into the Mediterranean.
The oldest architectural remains in the city is the Roman theater which dates from the 1st century BC, and that was fortuitously rediscovered in 1951.
The Moors left the dominating castle on mount Gibralfaro that is connected to the Alcazaba, the lower fortress and regal residence. Both constructions built during the Taifas period (11th century) and extended during the Nasrid period (13th and 14th centuries.). The Alcazaba stands on a hill within the city of Málaga. Originally, the Alcazaba defended the city from the incursions of pirates. Later, in the mid-11th century, it was completely rebuilt by the Hammudid dynasty. Occupying the eastern hillside that rises from the sea and overlooks the city, the Alcazaba was surrounded by palms and pine trees.
Like many of the military fortifications that were constructed in Islamic Spain, the Alcazaba of Málaga featured a quadrangular plan. It was protected by an outer and inner wall, both supported by rectangular towers, between which a covered walkway led up the slope to the Gibralfaro. (This was the only exchange between the two sites.) Due to its rough and awkward hillside topography, corridors throughout the site provided a means of communications for administrative and defensive operations, also affording privacy to the palatial residential quarters. The entrance of the complex featured a grand tower that led into a sophisticated double bent entrance. After passing through several gates, open yards with beautiful gardens of pine and eucalyptus trees, and the inner wall through the Puerta de Granada, are the eleventh and fourteenth century governor's palace. It was organized around a central rectangular courtyard with a triple-arched gateway and some of the rooms have been preserved to this day. An open eleventh century mirador (belvedere), to the south of this area, affords views of the gardens and sea below. Measuring 2.5 square meters, this small structure highlighted scalloped, five-lobed arches. To the north of this area were a waterwheel and Cyclopean well, (penetrating forty meters below ground) a hammam, workshops and the monumental Puerta de la Torre del Homenaje, the northernmost point of the inner walls. Directly beyond was the passage to the Gibralfaro above.
The church of Santiago (St James) is a manifestation of Gothic vernacular Mudéjar, the hybrid style that evolved after the Reconquista incorporating elements from both Christian and Islamic tradition. Also from the period is the Iglesia del Sagrario, which was built on the site of the old mosque immediately after the city fell to Christian troops. It boasts a richly ornamental portal in the Isabeline-Gothic style, unique in the city.
The Cathedral and the Episcopal palace were planned with renaissance ideals but fell short of funds and were finished in baroque style.
The Iglesia de la Victoria, built in the late 17th century, has a chapel in which the vertical volume is filled with elaborate Baroque plasterwork.
Other sights include:
The province of Málaga has a population of 1,563,261 people, with the city itself only home to 566,447, according to the 2008 Census. Foreign nationalities have been significantly rising in Málaga, especially those from the UK who move for the pleasant climate. It is said that the majority of foreigners live by the coastline.[11] An estimated 6 million tourists visit the city each year.[12]
Málaga is divided in 10 municipal districts.[13]
Nº | District | Nº | District | Location |
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1 | Centro | 6 | Cruz de Humilladero | |
2 | Este | 7 | Carretera de Cádiz | |
3 | Ciudad Jardín | 8 | Churriana | |
4 | Bailén-Miraflores | 9 | Campanillas | |
5 | Palma-Palmilla | 10 | Puerto de la Torre |
The most important business sectors in Málaga are tourism, construction, agriculture and technology services, but other sectors such as transportation and logistics are beginning to expand. The Technology Park of Andalusia (PTA), located in Málaga, has enjoyed significant growth since its inauguration in 1992 by H.M. the King of Spain. As of 2009, this high-tech, science and industrial park is home to 509 companies and employs over 13,600 people.
In line with the city's strategic plan, the campaign "Málaga: Open for Business" is directed towards the international promotion of the city on all levels but fundamentally on a business level. The campaign places a special emphasis on new technologies as well as innovation and investigation in order to promote the city as a reference and focal point for many global business initiatives and projects.[14]
Malaga is a city of commerce and tourism has a growing source of revenue, driven by the major airport and the improvement of communications and new infrastructure such as the AVE and the maritime station, and new cultural facilities such as the Picasso Museum, the Contemporary Art Center and Trade Fair and Congress, which have increased tourist arrivals.[15]
The city hosts the international association of technology parks International Association of Science Parks (IASP) (es: Asociación Internacional de Parques Tecnológicos), the project Malaga Valley e-27, which seeks to make the Silicon Valley Málaga Europe. It is remarkable the strength of the city in new technology industries, mainly located in the Technological Park of Andalusia, and the construction sector. The city is home to the largest bank in Andalusia, Unicaja and Malaga companies Mayoral, Sando, HCP Architecture & Engineering, Aifos, Isofoton and Vitelcom, and other multinationals such as Fujitsu Spain, Epcos (Siemens), Oracle Corporation, Huawei or San Miguel.[16]
Industrial Sector | Companies |
Energy and water | 24 |
Chemical and Mining | 231 |
Mechanical engineering industry | 833 |
Manufacturing | 1.485 |
Total | 2.573 |
Industrial activity index | 771 |
Construction-related companies | 3.143 |
The Holy Week celebration and the August Málaga Fair ("Feria de Málaga") are two well-known festivals. During the celebration of the Feria de Málaga in August, the streets are transformed into symbols of Spanish culture and history, with sweet wine, tapas, and live flamenco shows filling the town. The day events consist of live music and dancing, while the night fair is moved to the Recinto Ferial, consisting of restaurants, clubs, and an entire fair ground with rides & games.
There is a wide spectrum of religions in Málaga. Most citizens declare themselves to be Catholics. One of the most beautiful churches is the "Santuario de la Virgen de la Victoria". Islam is also represented with the construction of a new mosque. The city has an important link to Islam as it was once controlled by Muslims for more than 700 years. Due to recent immigration, Islam is the second largest religion in the city.
The Evangelicals also have a presence in Málaga. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is also a strong growing religion. The Jewish Community in Málaga is represented by its synagogue and the Jewish Association. There is a Hindu temple and a Buddhist stupa in Benalmadena, 12 miles from Málaga. This Buddhist stupa is the biggest in Europe.
Málaga is home to three major professional sports teams. These include:
The city has four large sports facilities:
In city and neighbourhood, you can engage in many sports, for example: surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, swimming, diving, skydiving, paragliding, running, cycling, rowing, tennis and golf.
The city is a tourist destination, due mainly to its proximity to the Costa del Sol. Tourists also visit the city to visit the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and the Museum of Picasso. From Málaga other cities in southern Spain such as Seville, Córdoba, Granada, and Jaén can be reached by train, bus or car.
A popular walk leads up the hill to the Gibralfaro castle (a Parador), offering views over the city. The castle is next to the Alcazaba, the old Muslim palace, which in turn is next to the inner city of Málaga. You can visit the Roman Theatre, and the old Jewish quarter, the Cathedral, and the Church of Santiago, in mudejar style. A walk takes the Paseo del Parque (a promenade that runs alongside a park with many palm trees and statue) to the harbour, finishing in Calle Larios the main commercial street of the city. There is a curious museum: Museum of the Holy Week, which includes an impressive display of Baroque ecclesiastical
The Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales takes place every year on 28 December during which Spain's April Fool Day is celebrated.[18]
Fiestas de Carnaval event takes prior to the holy 40 days of Lent every February. People dressed in traditional costumes join the festivities, which include Flamenco dancing, and a parade. One more highlight of this festival is the stalls selling traditional pottery and artifacts.[18]
The city is served by Málaga Airport (IATA: AGP, ICAO: LEMG), one of the first in Spain and the oldest still in operation. In 2008, it handled 12,813,472 passengers,[19] making it the fourth busiest in Spain. It is the international airport of Andalusia accounting for 85 percent of its international traffic. The airport, connected to the Costa del Sol, has a daily link with twenty cities in Spain and over a hundred cities in Europe (mainly in United Kingdom, Central Europe and the Nordic countries but also the main cities of Eastern Europe: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Budapest, Sofia, Warsaw, Riga or Bucharest), North Africa, Middle East (Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait) and Northern America (New York, Toronto and Montreal).
The Port of Málaga is the city's seaport, operating continuously at least since 600 B.C.
The main rail station is Málaga María Zambrano which is connected with Madrid Atocha by Talgo 200. On 24 December 2007, the high-speed train AVE came into service, reducing travel time to Madrid to just two and a half hours (see also Córdoba-Málaga high-speed rail line). The city has two commuter train lines Cercanías and a metro system is under construction.
The A45 road leads north to Antequera and Córdoba. The Autovía A-7 parallels the N-340 road, both leading to Cadiz to the west through the Costa del Sol Occidental and Barcelona to the east through the Costa del Sol Oriental.
Empresa Malagueña de Transportes´[20] buses are the main form of transport around the city. Málaga's bus station is connected with the city by the bus line number 4, although it is only ten minutes walk to the Alameda from there.
Málaga is twinned with:
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