MALAGA

Facts & Figures

The Province of Málaga is located on the southern coast of Spain, in the Autonomous Community of Andalucia. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the South, and by the provinces of Cádiz, Sevilla, Córdoba and Granada.

Its area is 7,308 km². Its population is 1,330,010 (2002), of whom two-fifths live in the capital Málaga, and its population density is 181.99/km².

Its main industry and claim to fame is its tourist resorts, particularly those on the beaches along the Costa del Sol ("Sun Coast"). These beaches are visited by millions of European tourists. But besides the beaches, the mountainous province has some very interesting places to visit, like the gorge of El Chorro or the Torcal in Antequera.

The magnum opus of Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, "Malagueña", is named for the music of the gypsies of this region of Spain. Another famous patron of the city is Pablo Picasso.

Málaga contains 100 municipalities, the regions are:

Malaga City

The population of the city of Málaga was 558,287 as of 2005 estimates. The population of the urban area was 814,000 as of 2005 estimates. The population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) was 1,074,074 as of 2005 estimates, 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 (it's on the left bank) and the Guadalhorce, flow near the city into the Mediterranean.

The climate is mild and equable, the mean annual temperature being about 19 °C (66 °F). For its broad sky and broad expanse of bay the city has been compared to Naples.

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.