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Almeria Information

The province of Almeria is situated in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, on the shores of the Mediterranean. It covers an area of 8,774km and comprises of a great many geographic contrasts, including long beaches with small coves, desert areas and others with a varied vegetation, and high mountains with extensive plains. The passing of time has also had a great influence on the landscape. In Almeria it is therefore possible to find modern and bustling tourist centres as well as those natural areas where man has scarcely left his mark. Almeria enjoys a warm and dry Mediterranean climate, with little rain and a large number of hours of sun per year (more than 3,000 hours). The temperatures throughout the year are mild, reaching no lower than an average of 13ºC in winter, and no more than an average of 25ºC in summer. This mild climate allows the visitor to enjoy all the possibilities available within the province at any time of the year.

It was perhaps due to the beautiful scenery or the geographic situation that many different civilisations came to Almeria in the course of history. Important archaeological remains discovered in the province have helped researchers understand and realise the existence of very ancient cultures. Cueva Ambrosio, Los Letreros, Los Millares and El Algar are all landmarks in the prehistoric evolution of Spain. Almeria also contains traces of the Tartessos, Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians. The Romans, who arrived here from about the 3rd century BC, named the capital Almeria Portus Magnus, and dominated the area until the late arrival of the Visigoths in the 7th century. Nevertheless, the influence of the Arabs, who held these lands for nearly eight centuries, was the most important of them all. Following the first Yemeni settlements in the vicinity of Pechina (the Bayyana of the Arabs), the Moslems, Christians and Jews succeeded in living together in harmony.

The construction of the Alcazaba (Moorish citadel) by order of Abderraman III where what had been, until then, the port of Bayyana, was to lead to the birth of the present-day Almeria.

The new city, Al-mariya (Mirror of the Sea), enjoyed great maritime and commercial activity and soon became the region's capital, taking the place of Bayyana. During the time of the Moslems, both culture and art flourished, even following the break-up of the Caliphate of Cordova into different independent kingdoms. Two important kings of Almeria were Hairan and Almotacin.

The process of the Christian conquest meant that Almeria became part of the Kingdom of Castile towards the end of the 15th century (1488-89). Thus began a time characterised by the arrival of new people from other parts of Spain, the attacks by corsairs, the revolt of the "Moriscos" (Moslem converts to Christianity) and their subsequent expulsion, and a series of violent earthquakes. There was also a strong artistic upsurge which was the reason for the construction of many churches in the different areas in the province. In the 19th Century, Almeria experienced a great boost in the field of mining, especially lead (from the Sierra de Gador) and iron (Seron-Bacares). The present port and railway line were built towards the end of the 19th century, thus facilitating the movement of travellers and goods.

The increasing remains of different civilisations have helped to enrich the personality and culture of the people of the province. Nowadays, one can still enjoy a varied folklore and a large number of popular festivities, all inherited from the past. Local craft industries produce a variety of skilfully-fashioned articles made from pottery, marble, esparto grass, etc. Another inheritance from the past is found in such gastronomic specialities as red peppers, seafood soups, "las gachas" (a kind of porridge made with flour, water, salt, milk and honey), and "los gurullos".

In the last few years, the province of Almeria has undergone a strong increase in its socio-economic development, centred around the introduction of modern agriculture, the mining of white marble and the tourist sector. Flowers and fruit and vegetables of all kinds are grown under plastic greenhouses spreading over 10,000 hectares in the Campo de Dalias, producing some 250 million kilos of crops a year, most of which are exported to the other European countries. Marble is mined in the area of Macael (Sierra de los Filabres) and it's recognised quality means that it can be exported to many parts of the world. Finally, an excellent climate and the beauty of its varied landscape have helped to make Almeria favourite holiday area for many Spaniards and foreigners.

In addition, Almeria has also become an important centre for scientific research. Near Gergal, in the Sierra de los Filabres, there is the Hispano-German Astronomical Centre (Calar Alto) which houses the most powerful telescope in Europe, whereas at Tabernas there are solar power stations designed to harness the energy of the sun. There is also some research being done into the harnessing of the energy from the wind, and the conversion of agaves into ethanol.

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