Almeria ... The history of this region
The name "Almeria" stems from Almeria (Arabic, "the watchtower"), because of its magnificent Moorish
castle, Alcazaba: among the Muslim fortresses of Andalusia, only Alhambra is larger. The city was founded by Abd ar-Rahman
III of Cordoba in 955 as a principal harbour in his extensive domain, to strengthen his Mediterranean defences against the
Fatimid caliphate in Tunisia. In this period, the port city of Almeria reached its historical peak, continuing, after the
fragmentation of the Caliphate of Cordoba, under powerful local Muslim taifa emirs like Jairan, the first independent Emir
of Almeria and Cartagena and Almotacin the poet emir, both fearless warriors but also patrons of the arts. A silk industry,
based upon plantings of mulberry trees in the hot dry landscape supported Almeria in the 11th century and made its strategic
harbour an even more valuable prize. Contested by the emirs of Granada and Valencia, Almeria suffered many sieges, and one
especially fierce when Christians, called to the Second Crusade by Pope Eugene III, were also encouraged to fall upon the
Muslim infidel on a more familiar coast. On that occasion Alfonso VII, at the head of mixed forces of Catalans, Genoese,
Pisans and Franks led a crusade against the rich city, and Almeria was occupied in October 1147. Within a decade it had
passed to the control of the puritanical Almoravid emirs, and though its glorious culture was diminished, not until the late
15th century did it fall permanently into Christian hands, surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, December
26, 1489.
The 16th century was for Almeria a century of natural and human catastrophes, for there were at least four
earthquakes— of which the one in 1522 was especially violent— devastating the city. The people who had remained
Muslim were expelled from Almeria after the War of Las Alpujarras in 1568 and scattered across Spain. Landings and attacks by
Berber pirates were also frequent in that century, and continued until the early 18th century. In that time, huge iron mines
were discovered and French and British companies came to settle in the area, bringing renewed prosperity and bringing Almeria
back to a relative importance within Spain.
During the Spanish Civil War the city was shelled by the German navy.
It and Malaga were the last cities to surrender to Franco and the fascists. In the second half of the 20th century, Almeria
witnessed spectacular economic growth due to tourism and to its intensive agriculture, with plants grown year-round in
massive 'invernaderos' - plastic-covered intensive farms.
The 16th century was for Almeria a century of
natural and human catastrophes, for there were at least four earthquakes— of which the one in 1522 was especially
violent— devastating the city. The people who had remained Muslim were expelled from Almeria after the War of Las
Alpujarras in 1568 and scattered across Spain. Landings and attacks by Berber pirates were also frequent in that century,
and continued until the early 18th century. In that time, huge iron mines were discovered and French and British companies
came to settle in the area, bringing renewed prosperity and bringing Almeria back to a relative importance within Spain.
During the Spanish Civil War the city was shelled by the German navy. It and Malaga were the last cities to
surrender to Franco and the fascists. In the second half of the 20th century, Almeria witnessed spectacular economic
growth due to tourism and to its intensive agriculture, with plants grown year-round in massive 'invernaderos' -
plastic-covered intensive farms.
Almeria (province)
Almeria is a province of southern Spain, in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is bordered by the provinces of Granada, Murcia, and the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is Almeria.
Its area is 8,769 km². Its population is 546,499 (2002) with a density of 62.32/km². It contains 101 municipalities.
Europe's only desert is found in Almeria, as is part of the Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada (in the Sierra Nevada mountain range), which it shares with Granada province.
The desert landscape and climate that characterizes part of the province have made it an ideal setting for Western films, especially during the 1960's. Because of the demand for these locations, quite a number of Western towns were built near the Desert of Tabernas. Films such as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and A Fistful of Dollars were shot here. Years later the Film of 800 Bullets was Filmed in this same amazing place. Large sections of Lawrence of Arabia and Patton were shot there as well.
The most important economic activity is greenhouse farming. Millions of tons of vegetables are exported to Europe and other parts of the world each year. Tourism is also a key sector of the economy, due to the sunny weather and attractive areas such as Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce, Almerimar, Vera or Cabo de Gata.
The principal industrial activity is in the Macael (Comarca del Marmol) canteras marble quarrying area in the Sierra de los Filabres region from Macael Viejo to Chercos, Lijar and Cobdar which produce in excess of 1.3 million tons. The Cantoria, Fines, Olula del Rio and Purchena area of the Alto Almanzora valley is fast becoming the regional megalopolis through high imports and exports and employment in local, national and international marble processing. All the tourist accommodations and construction throughout coastal Spain has driven high demand and brought huge modernisation. Small pueblos of agriculturalists have given rise to computerized machining factories.
Interesting and unique species of domestic animals native to the Alto Almanzora are in process of extinction but the rich customs and Fiestas of the denizens retain links deep into the past, unto the Moors, the Romans, the Greeks, and the Phoenicians.
The German-Spanish Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory is one of the most important observatories of Spain. France's Michelin operates a research Centre in Cabo de Gata and in Tabernas there is a solar energy research centre, PSA.
The principal river is Rio Andarax (Andarax River), which is located near Granada in the Alpujarras. The Beninar pressure, which is located near Darrical, gives part of the water needed in the production in greenhouses.
During the taifa era, it was ruled by the Slavic Banu al-Amiri from 1012 to 1038, briefly annexed by Valencia (1038-1041), then given by Zaragoza to the Banu Sumadih dynasty until its conquest by the Almoravids in 1091. Some centuries later, it became part of the kingdom of Granada.
Geography of Almeria
Almeria is the driest region in Europe as well as one of the warmest with an average annual temperature of 19 degrees. Due to its arid landscape, numerous spaghetti westerns were filmed in Almeria. According to Christopher Frayling, the author of 'Once Upon A Time in Italy': The Films of Sergio Leone,' some of the sets are still there.
One of Almeria's most famous natural spots is the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. This volcanic origin park is the marine-terrestrial space of greatest surface and ecological relevance of all the European Western Mediterranean Sea. With one of the most beautiful and ecologically wealthy coasts of the western Mediterranean and an extension of 380 square kilometres it has become one of Spain’s natural jewels. The Cabo de Gata Natural Park extends by the municipal terms of Níjar, Almeria and Carboneras. Its small localities, previously dedicated to fishing, have become tourism spots for those looking for nature. One of the maximum incentives of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park is its beaches. You will find the solitary cove, the great beach, the naturist beaches and coves, or the solitary corner which you will only be able to accede by the sea or by means of a wonderful excursion. Cabo de Gata Natural Park
People and culture
Famous natives of Almeria include Nicolás Salmerón, who in 1873 was the third president of the First Spanish Republic, and several musicians, like the popular folk singer Manolo Escobar, reputed Flamenco guitar player José Tomás "Tomatito" or Grammy Award winner David Bisbal, record-breaker album seller in America and Spain.
Almeria hosted the Mediterranean Games in 2005.
|
|
|
|
| Property Search |
 |
|
| Home Page |
 |
|
| Make enquiry |
 |
|
| Viewing Trips |
 |
|
|
