Andalusia,
known to many as "the bridge between two continents",
"the gateway to Europe", "a melting pot of cultures"
or "a meeting point of two seas" fits perfectly within
any of these definitions.
J.Sevillano ©
A direct link between Europe and Africa, and the place where the
Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean, Andalusia has been fought
over by numerous cultures since the earliest times of civilization,
being one of the areas of settlement of our prehistoric ancestors.
Andalusia covers 17.3% of Spanish territory, 87,268 km² in
total, making it the largest single region, with an area greater
than countries such as Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland.
In Andalusia, contrasts are the norm. The diversity of the landscapes
which make up the region provides an entire spectrum: from the warm
Guadalquivir valley, to leafy low mountain areas, from volcanic
landscapes such as the Tabernas Desert to the white peaks of Sierra
Nevada.
Andalusia´s main river, the Guadalquivir, from the Arabic,
meaning "Great River", together with its tributary, the
Genil, forms a fertile valley which constitutes the fundamental
geographical axis of Andalusia. From its beginnings in eastern Andalusia,
in the Sierra de Cazorla, to its outlet into the sea in the west,
next to the marshes of Doñana National Park, the Guadalquivir
is a source of life all along its journey across Andalusian territory.
J.Sevillano ©
Numerous tributaries, springing from the mountain areas along its
banks, pour the excess water from the reservoirs in Sierra Morena
or the Betico Mountains into the Guadalquivir. Such water takes
on an important role in regulating the water supply, not only for
human consumption, but also in the case of heavy rains and the consequent
river floods.
Despite the importance of the Guadalquivir, fifty per cent of the
region is mountainous. A third of the territory stands above 600
metres, with many high plains areas, and there are 46 peaks above
1000 metres.
The queen of heights is undoubtedly the Sierra Nevada, in the heart
of the Penibético System, where summits above 3,400 m, such
as el Mulhacén and el Veleta, preside majestically over the
rest of the nearby ranges.
Within forty kilometres it is possible to travel from this alpine
landscape to the tropical shores of the Mediterranean. The Andalusian
coast, almost 900 km long, is home to a large number of towns and
beaches, the delight of those who visit them. In recent years, Andalusia
has made great efforts to improve the quality of its coastal area
to suit the increasingly demanding tourist market.
Within this diverse landscape live more than seven million inhabitants,
spread out among the diverse habitats which abound. The majority
live in the big cities - the eight provincial capitals (Almería,
Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga
and Seville) and Jerez de la Frontera head the list with regards
to population growth - while many others prefer to live in towns,
small mountain villages, country estates and farmsteads.
This collection of environments forms a blend of tourist offers,
which range from the monumental glory of the big towns to the traditional
nature of small villages, a continual source of inspiration for
all types of artists.
Nowadays, Andalusia is a modern community, equipped with a great
infrastructure that knows how to welcome its visitors, and which,
despite being conscious of moving with the times, takes great pains
to maintain its roots and to look after its important cultural and
monumental patrimony.
J.Sevillano ©
Andalusia has also made a great effort to back sports, not only
due to the growing interest among its people for this healthy way
of caring for the body, but also in response to the importance that
sport has amongst the visitors to this community. Apart from the
great variety of sporting events held in this region, ranging from
the most simple to high-level sports events, there are always world
class competitions on the horizon to keep hopes high for the future.
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