Apartments in Marbella

Malaga, located to the extreme west of the mediterranean, 100 km east of Gibraltar, is the capital of the province with the same name, and with a population of more than half a million, represents the second most populated city in Andalusia. Its metropolitan area holds more than 850 million habitants.

Very well know is the Costa del Sol, the coast which isvisited by more than 17 million tourists a year, which makes up, amongst others Marbella, Nerja, Torremolinos y Fuengirola.

The city of Malaga, situated in a bay surrounded by mountains, is crossed by Guadalmedina and Guadalhorce, which later reach the Mediterranean sea. With an average temperature of 18 °C, it has a mild winter climate and is very hot in the summer, with rain and showers in November and March.

Founded by the phoenicians in the 7th century BC during the Roman period, Malaga benefitied from the privilege of a city confederated by Rome. At the fall of the empire the city came into ownership by Byzantium and became capital of the Byzantium territory, until they were expulsed by the Visigoths at the beginning of the 7th century. 

It was in the year 711 that the Arab domination begin and lasted for eight centuries until the Catholic Royalty overthrew Arab rule in the reconquest (1487). At this time Malaga lived a period of decadence.  

At the start of the 18th century, during the Industrial Revolution, Malaga became the first industrial Spanish city maintaining this status for many years until Barcelona followed suit and Malaga went down to second place. From the end of the 19th century the city enjoyed a period of decadence whilst at the beginning of the 1990s the city went through a period of economic reajustment and industrial dismantling and commercial development. 

During the dictatorship of Franco two phenomena took place: the foreign tourism boom mainly in the Costa del Sol, and mass emmigration to other areas of Spain and to other central northern europeans. 

Today Malaga is a significant econimic and cultural centre of Andalusia and important transport centre thanks to its port and airport. The city is a candidate for Cultural Capital 2016. Actually, the city has been converted into a true city of Museums: with more than 20 museums, 15 of which are in the same zone. Furthermore, new projects are in process with the objective of reuniting the historical centre with up to 24 museum spaces. In spite of its modernity this is a city faithful to its traditions. Well known are the Easter festivities and August Fair and the 'El Verdial' (a 'peasant' festival).