Málaga
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| Málaga | |||
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  Málaga
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| Coordinates: 36°28′0″N 4°29′9″W / 36.46667°N 4.48583°W | |||
| Country |  Spain |
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| Municipality | Málaga | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Francisco de la Torre Prados | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 385.50 km2 (148.8 sq mi) | ||
| - Land | 385.50 km2 (148.8 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2007) | |||
| - Total | 576,725 | ||
| - Density | 1,402/km2 (3,631.2/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Website | http://www.ayto-malaga.es/ | ||
Málaga is the second most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, the sixth largest city in Spain and 43th-most populous municipality in the European Union, with a population of 566,447 in 2008. It lies in southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol coast of the Mediterranean.
Malaga, together with the Rincón de la Victoria, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola and Alhaurín de la Torre creating a urban area named Greater Málaga populated by 824,842 in 561,71 km² (density 1468hab/km²). The population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) is 1,100,082, ranking as the fifth largest metropolitan area in Spain. Málaga is surrounded by mountains, 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 inner city of Málaga is just behind the harbour. The quarters of El Perchel, La Trinidad and Lagunillas surround this centre. The city has much revenue from the agricultural sector and from tourism.
The Holy Week, and the Málaga Fair ("Feria de Málaga") are two well-known Málaga festivals. The Malaguenos choose the hottest month of the year, August, to celebrate the Feria de Malaga. 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.
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[edit] History
The Phoenicians from Tyre founded the city here circa 1000 BCE. 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 milḥ.
. She was ruled by Visigoths (except Byzantine rule between 552-620) after Carthaginian and Roman rule.
In the 8th century, duríng the Muslim Arabic rule over Spain, the city became an important centre of trade. 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 export good was "excellent gilded pottery". The town's mosque was large and beautiful, with "exceptionally tall orange trees" in its courtyard[1].
Málaga was one of the Iberian cities where Arab rule persisted the longest, having been part of the Emirate of Granada while most other part 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 Vélez-Málaga, largest naval battle in the War of the Spanish Succession, took place in the sea south of Málaga.
Málaga did not undergo fierce bombing by Nationalist or Republican air forces 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.
Tourism on the adjacent Costa del Sol 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.
[edit] Architecture
The oldest architectural remains in the city is the Roman theater which dates from the 1st century BCE, and that was rediscovered fortuitously 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 Malaga. Originally, the Alcazaba monument 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 Malaga 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, one finds 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 until today. 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 splendid manifestation of Gothic-Mudejar, 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 raised 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 spectacular chapel in which the vertical volume is filled with elaborate baroque plasterwork.
[edit] Demography
The province of Malaga has a population of over a million people, whilst the city only holds 566,447 according to the 2008 Census. Foreign nationalities have been significantly rising in Malaga, especially those from the UK who move for the pleasant weather. It is said that the majority of foreigners live by the coastline.[2]
An estimated 6 million tourists flock each year to this wonderful sunny cosmopolitan city to explore the beautiful landscapes, remarkable architecture, great nightlife and fantastic seafood restaurants. [3]
[edit] Religion
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 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, only 12 miles from Málaga. This Buddhist stupa is the biggest in Europe.
[edit] Climate
The climate is Mediterranean / Subtropical with mild winters and hot summers. Málaga enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of about 300 sunshine days and only about 50 days with precipitation annually. It is located on the coastline, the winds blowing from the Mediterranean Sea makes the heat manageable during the summer[4].
Its average annual temperature is 18°C (64 °F): 23°C (73 °F) during the day and 13°C (56 °F) at night. In the coldest month - January, the typically temperature ranges from 11-18°C (52-64°F) during the day, 4-12°C (39-54°F) at night, the sea temperature is 15-16°C (59-61°F). In the warmest month - August, the typically temperature during the day is about 30°C (86°F), above 20°C (68°F) at night, the sea temperature is 23°C (73°F). Average number of days above 21°C (70°F) is 206, average number of days above 32°C (90°F) is 18 (3 in June, 6 in July, 6 in August and 3 in September). Average morning relative humidity: 79%, average evening relative humidity: 57%[5]. Sunshine hours is till 2,839 per year, from 155 in December and January (5 hours of sunshine every day) to 341 in July and August (11 hours of sunshine every day)[6]. Rain occurs mainly in winter, the summers are generally dry.
 Weather averages for Malaga  |
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 16.6 (62) |
17.7 (64) |
19.1 (66) |
20.9 (70) |
23.8 (75) |
27.3 (81) |
29.9 (86) |
30.3 (87) |
27.9 (82) |
23.7 (75) |
19.9 (68) |
17.4 (63) |
22.87 (73) |
| Daily Mean °C (°F) | 11.95 (54) |
12.8 (55) |
14.05 (57) |
15.65 (60) |
18.6 (65) |
22.2 (72) |
24.8 (77) |
25.4 (78) |
23.05 (73) |
19.0 (66) |
15.35 (60) |
12.9 (55) |
17.97 (64) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 7.3 (45) |
7.9 (46) |
9.0 (48) |
10.4 (51) |
13.4 (56) |
17.1 (63) |
19.7 (67) |
20.5 (69) |
18.2 (65) |
14.3 (58) |
10.8 (51) |
8.4 (47) |
13.08 (56) |
| Precipitation cm (inches) | 8.1 (3.2) |
5.5 (2.2) |
4.9 (1.9) |
4.1 (1.6) |
2.5 (1) |
1.2 (0.5) |
0.2 (0.1) |
0.6 (0.2) |
1.6 (0.6) |
5.6 (2.2) |
9.5 (3.7) |
8.8 (3.5) |
52.6 (20.7) |
| Avg. precipitation days | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 59 |
| Source: World Meteorological Organization (UN)[7] | |||||||||||||
[edit] Tourism
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The city is a tourist destination, due mainly to its proximity to the Costa del Sol. Tourists also visit here to see the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. From Málaga, other cities like 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, which in turn is next to the inner city of Málaga. 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.
[edit] Sights in Málaga
[edit] Málaga
- Gibralfaro Castle
- Malaga Walls (Phoenician, Roman, Visigothic, Arab and Spanish remains of the defensive compounds of the city)
- Flavian Roman Theater
- Flavian Roman Amphitheatre (Underneath "Plaza de la Merced" Picasso's birthplace), under the former cinemas "Victoria", "Astoria" and "Andalucia").
- Alcazaba (Arabic for fortress)
- The cathedral, in the Græco-Roman style, on the site of an ancient Moorish mosque, was begun in 1528 and completed in 1719
- Harbour, one of the most important in Spain.
- The Picasso Foundation - Native Home Museum of Picasso
- Museo del Patrimonio Municipal de Málaga
- Museo Picasso Málaga
- CAC Málaga (museum of modern art)
- Museo Interactivo de la Música (MIMMA)
- Museo Municipal (city museum).
- Museo de Artes y Tradiciones Populares (Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions)
- Cathedral of the Encarnation (neoclasical).
- Palacio Episcopal (Bishop's Palace)
- Iglesia del Sagrario (church)
- Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago (St James's church)
- Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista
- Plaza de Toros (bullring)
The Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales takes place every year on 28 December during which Spain's April Fool Day is celebrated. [8]
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. [9]
[edit] Greater Málaga
- Castillo de Bezmiliana in Rincón de la Victoria
- Fuerte del Rincón de la Victoria
- Iglesia de San Sebastián in Alhaurín de la Torre
- Casa Refugio de Torrijos in Alhaurín de la Torre
- Castillo Sohail in Fuengirola
[edit] Notable births
- Pablo Picasso, artist
- Antonio Banderas, actor
- José Puyet, artist [10]
- Amparo Muñoz, Miss Universe 1974é
- José Moreno Carbonero, painter
- Juan García Postigo, Mister World 2007
- Miguel Ángel Jiménez, professional golfer
[edit] Sports
[edit] Transport
[edit] Transit
The city is served by Málaga Airport (IATA: AGP, ICAO: LEMG). In 2008, it handled 12,813,472 passengers[11], making it the busiest airport in the Andalusia and the fourth busiest in Spain.
The Port of Málaga is the city's seaport.
The main rail station is Málaga María Zambrano which is connected with Madrid Atocha by Talgo 200. On December 23rd, 2007, the high-speed train AVE came into service, reducing travel time to Madrid to just two and a half hours. The city has two Cercanías (commuter train) lines and a metro system is under construction.
Empresa Malagueña de Transportes´[12] 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.
[edit] Roads
The A45 road leads north to Antequera and Córdoba.
[edit] Sister communities
Málaga is twinned with:
[edit] See also
Definitions from Wiktionary
Textbooks from Wikibooks
Quotations from Wikiquote
Source texts from Wikisource
Images and media from Commons
News stories from Wikinews
Learning resources from WikiversityMálaga travel guide from Wikitravel
[edit] References
- ^ [1]
- ^ Malaga Population Information
- ^ Malaga City Information
- ^ Malaga's Climate
- ^ Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Malaga, Spain
- ^ "Weather2Travel.com: Malaga Climate Guide". http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/index.php?destination=malaga.
- ^ "Weather Information for Malaga". http://www.worldweather.org/083/c01235.htm.
- ^ Malaga Festivals
- ^ Malaga Festivals
- ^ http://josepuyet.galeon.com/Biografia.htm José Puyet
- ^ AENA passenger and aircraft movements for 2008
- ^ http://www.emtmalaga.es
[edit] External links
- Malaga’s bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2016
- Málaga travel guide from Wikitravel
- University of Málaga
- Montes de Málaga Natural Park (Spanish)
- Travel Information about Málaga on the official Website for tourism in Spain (English)
- Málaga.diwiki.org Periódico digital (Spanish)
[edit] Sources and references
- This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.
- Guia Viva, Andalucia, Anaya Touring Club, April 2001.
- The first chapters of Spanish Testament by Arthur Koestler include an eye-witness testimony of the 1937 fall of Málaga to Francisco Franco's armies during the Spanish Civil War.
- The Alhambra From the Ninth Century to Yusuf I (1354). vol. 1. Saqi Books, 1997.
Coordinates: 36°43′N 4°25′W / 36.717°N 4.417°W
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