Málaga
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| Ciudad de Málaga | |||
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| Municipality | Málaga | ||
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| 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 a port city in Andalusia, southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol coast of the Mediterranean. At the 2007 census the population is 576,725.
The population of the city of Málaga proper was 558,285 as of 2005 estimates. . 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.
In the 8th century, Spain was conquered by the Moors, and 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].
At a late stage of the reconquista, the medieval Christian Spanish struggle to drive the Islamic Moors out of Spain, Málaga became Christian again, in 1487.
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 church of Santiago (St James) is a splendid manifestation of Gothic-Mudejar, the hybrid style that evolved after the reconquista incorporating elements from both Cristian 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
[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 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 mild, the mean annual temperature being about 19 °C (66 °F). For its broad sky and wide bay the city has been compared to Naples. The highest recorded temperature was +44.1 (18.7.1978) and the lowest recorded was -3.8 (4.2.1954).
 Weather averages for Málaga airport  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 26 (79) |
27 (81) |
28 (82) |
30 (86) |
35 (95) |
38 (100) |
44 (111) |
44 (111) |
39 (102) |
33 (91) |
29 (84) |
25 (77) |
44 (111) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 17 (63) |
17 (63) |
19 (66) |
20 (68) |
24 (75) |
27 (81) |
30 (86) |
30 (86) |
28 (82) |
24 (75) |
20 (68) |
17 (63) |
23 (73) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 7 (45) |
8 (46) |
9 (48) |
10 (50) |
13 (55) |
17 (63) |
20 (68) |
21 (70) |
18 (64) |
14 (57) |
11 (52) |
8 (46) |
13 (55) |
| Record low °C (°F) | -3 (27) |
-4 (25) |
-1 (30) |
3 (37) |
5 (41) |
10 (50) |
10 (50) |
12 (54) |
10 (50) |
6 (43) |
1 (34) |
-1 (30) |
-4 (25) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 81 (3.19) |
55 (2.17) |
49 (1.93) |
41 (1.61) |
25 (0.98) |
12 (0.47) |
2 (0.08) |
6 (0.24) |
16 (0.63) |
56 (2.2) |
95 (3.74) |
88 (3.46) |
524 (20.63) |
| Source: {{{accessdate}}} | |||||||||||||
Malaga's location ensures a Mediterranean type of climate with a pleasant weather. The mountains and the sandy, warm Mediterranean coastline calls in for a mild weather throughout the year. The city experiences fairly hot summers and cool, dry winters. Summer temperatures tend to be higher with cooler evenings. [2]
[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 Sevilla, 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
- 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 28th December during which Spain's April Fool Day is celebrated. [3]
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. [4]
[edit] Notable births
- Pablo Picasso, artist
- Antonio Banderas, actor
- José Puyet, artist [5]
- Amparo Muñoz, Miss Universe 1974é
- Juan García Postigo, Mister World 2007
- Jesus Pedro Diaz-Sarabia Cramazou, Malaga's ambassador all around the world
- Miguel Ángel Jiménez, professional golfer
[edit] Sports
[edit] Transport
[edit] Transit
The city is served by Málaga Airport. 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´[6] 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
[edit] References
- ^ [1]
- ^ Malaga's Climate
- ^ Malaga Festivals
- ^ Malaga Festivals
- ^ http://josepuyet.galeon.com/Biografia.htm José Puyet
- ^ http://www.emtmalaga.es
[edit] External links
- Major flight specialist, based in Malaga Airport
- Malaga’s bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2016
- Malaga travel guide from Wikitravel
- Malaga travel information
- Malaga airport guide
- Malaga search engine
- Information site
- University of Málaga
- Photos of Malaga
- Holy Week in Málaga Holy Week in Málaga
- Malaga Weather and webcam Live weather and beach webcam in Malaga
- Museo Picasso Málaga
- Malaga Spain information
- Malaga Car Hire
- Malaga Airport information
- Malaga Tourism information
- Museo Picasso Málaga
- Museo Interactivo de la Música (MIMMA)
- Google Map
- Málagaport
- More Information about Málaga
- Malaga Guide
- Málaga-Guide
- Cursos de inglés Marbella y Malaga
- Spanish Courses in Malaga
- Malaga bike tours
- Malagaguide blue pages
[edit] Sources and references
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Málaga |
- 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.
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