Andalucia, Spain: An Overview

Andalucia

• Largest autonomous community in Spain, located in the Mediterranean basin
• Bounded to the north by Castilla la Mancha and located 18km from Morocco with territory in Gibraltar that belongs to the UK
• Provinces: Sevilla, Huelva, Cadiz, Cordoba, Malaga, Granada, Jaen, Almeria
• Capital: Sevilla
• Most populated provinces: Seville, Malaga, Cordoba

Access Routes

Air

• Malaga Airport (Pablo Picasso) is the most important in Andalucia, fifth in Spain
• Located between Malaga and Torremolinos. Covering all Spanish destinations, main EU markets, and North American and Middle Eastern routes
• Second most important Airport is Sevilla (San Pablo), with destinations in Spain and Europe
• Group Two smaller airports include: Jerez de la Frontera (Cadiz), Granada, Almeria
• These airports mainly serve national destinations and some seasonal European markets

Maritime

• Two important ports are the Port of Almeria (connecting to North Africa, Melilla, and Nador) and the Port of Malaga (connecting to Melilla, popular for cruises)
• Cadiz and Huelva ports are smaller with connections to the Canary Islands

Rail

• High-speed rail connects Cordoba and Sevilla, with Sevilla as the first city to have high-speed rail
• Malaga and Granada are also connected
• Other provincial capitals are connected by rail

Road

• Two important highways: A4 (connects Andalucia with the rest of the plateau and Madrid); A7 (Mediterranean highway from Cadiz to Barcelona)

Tourist Destinations: Diverse Tourist Offerings

Sun and Beach

• Peak season extends from Easter week to All Saints' Day
• Costa del Sol (Malaga): Main destination for sun and beach tourism
• Locations: Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Marbella, Estepona, Nerja
• Playa de la Malagueta: Malaga city, near to the city center
• Cabo Pino: protected natural beach within Costa del Sol
• Playa de Nerja: Includes the Balcon de Europa
• Beaches: Maro Coast

Almeria

• Three zones: Poniente (Roquetas de Mar, Playa de Aguadulce, Playa de la Urbanizacion de Roquetas de Mar)
• Almeria contains Levante (Mojacar. Vera, Mojacar Playa, Playas de Vera (Puerto Rey, El Playazo-Nudist zone)
• Naturla Park: Cabo de Gata-Nijar (La Fabriquilla, Playa de Monsul, Playa de los Genoveses, El Playazo de Rodalquilar, Cala de San Pedro, Playa de los Muertos)

Cadiz

• La Barrosa, Sotogrande, Canos de Meca, Barbate, Playa de Tarifa (windsurf), Playa de Bolonia, Zahara de Los Atunes, Playa el Palmar

Huelva

• Matalascanas (Donana National Park), Playa de las Dunas de Donana, Punta Umbra, Isla Cristina, Playa Canela

Granada

• Almunecar, Salobrena, Playa de la Joya, Playa de la Rihanna

Cultural/City/Business/Shopping

• Sevilla: popular for both national and international tourism. Significant landmarks and areas include the Parque de Maria Luisa, Plaza de Espana, Real Alcazar de Sevilla, Archivo General de Indias, Catedral de Sevilla (la Giralda), Plaza de Toros, Las Setas de Sevilla, Barrio de Triana & Isla Magica

• Cordoba: Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba, Roman Bridge, Puerta del Puente, Roman Temple, Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, Archeological Museum of Cordoba, Medina Azahara

• Granada: Barrio del Sacromonte,Barrio del Albaicin, Alhambra, Granadas Cathedral, Capilla Real de Granada, La Cartuja Church, Abbadia del Sacromonte, Parque de las Ciencias

• Jaen: Ubeda, Baeza, Jaen Cathedral, Obispado Palace, Castillo de Santa Catalina, Cultural Center of Arab Baths & Antonio Machado University

• Cadiz, Jerez: Cadiz Cathedral, Castillo de Santa Catalina, Baluarte de la Candelaria, Jerez de la Frontera, Palacio del Virrey Laserna, Tio Pepe bodega, Osborne Bodegas

• Malaga: Alcazaba de Malaga, Gibralfaro Castle, Malaga Cathedral, Pablo Picasso Museum, Pompidou Centre, Russian and Carmen Thyssen Museum

• Almeria: Alcazaba, Refugios, Cathedral, Archeological Museum, Andalusian Centre of photography, Andalusian quarter site, Film House, English Cable DOna Pakyta Museum

• Huelva: Limited cultural tourist capacity

Natural, Ethnographic, Rural and Active Tours

• Sierra Nevada, together with the Alpujarras in Granada and Almeria
• Granada: Trevelez, Capileira, Pampaneira, Soportujar
• Almeria: Laujar de Andarax (hydroelectric route), Fondón
• Sierra de Cazorla: Cazorla and Pozo Alcón, Jaen, attracts tourists in Spring and Autumn
• Sierra de Grazalema: Cadiz, Natural Park known for Cork oaks, route of the White Villages of Cadiz
• Northern area of Sierra de Huelva: Aracena and Aroche, gastronomic Tourism (Ham route)

Gastronomy

• Beverages: Sherry wine, Palo Cortao, Americano.
• Foods: "Migas" , fried fish, “Alpujarreño”, "Espeto", "Rabo de toro”, "Salmorejo". Gazpacho, , wheat, buñuelos, "Huesos de santo”, “Torrijas”.

Festivities

• Semana Santa: Seville and Malaga
• Carnivals: Cadiz
• "Romerias": Rocio
• Corpus Christi: Granada
• May cross: Granada and Cordoba

Aragon

• Geographic Location: Located in northern of Spain, borders the Pyrenees, extends to the south, bounded by the Pyrenees to the north, the Ebro depression and the Iberian system to the south
• Provinces: Huesca, Zaragoza & Teruel
• Capital: Zaragoza
• Continental climate, Huesca and Teruel similar with fewer residents

Access Roads

Air

• Serviced by Zaragoza Airport- Flights to London, Paris, Balearic and Canary Islands and Romania.
• Huesca: tiny airport offering limited service
• Teruel: parking primarily for aircraft

Rail

• AVE servicing Zaragoza and Huesca; Teruel not serviced from Madrid (only provincial capital without direct connection)

Road

• Connected via highway A2 to Barcelona

Tourist Destinations; Cultural

• Zaragoza: Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Cathedral, Stone bridge, Public Thermal Baths Museum, River Port Museum, Roman Theater Museum, Fluvial Park Expo 2008
• Teruel: Mudejar tower of the Church of San Salvador, Teruel Forum, Mausoleum of the Teruel Lovers.
• Huesca (Residual)

Touristic Destinations: Ethnographic

-Jaca (Huesca): final city prior to entering Pyrenees, The Citadel (military structure) -Canfranc (Huesca): last town between France and Huesca, location of the largest train station in Spain (important during dictatorship)

• Natural -Ainsa (Huesca): pre-Pyranees tourism, reservoir for aquatic activities -Calatayud (Zaragoza): 2nd largest city in Zaragoza, Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre -Belchite (Zaragoza): frequently visited due to derelict homes

Natural Spaces:

• The Pyrenees
• The Iberian System (Moncayo)

Gastronomy

• Ham from Teruel, "Chilindron" beef, Borraja, Trout.

Festivities

• Pilar Feast, Route of the Drum and the Bass Drum

Asturias

Location

• Principality within Cantabrian zone
• Surrounded to south by Cantabrian Mountains, to the west by Galicia, and to east by Cantabria
• Temperate

Access Roads

Air

• Airport on the coast called Asturias Airport/Ranón.
• Flights to national sun-and-beach destinations, Balearic & Canary Islands, several major European cities

Rail

• By Renfe (National Rail Network): AVE routes to Madrid and connection to Barcelona and local areas
• By FEVE (narrow-gauge railway)

Maratime

• Via Port of el Musel although primarily freight

Road

• Highway A8 connecting Galicia with Barcelona, AP-76 freeway

Tourist Locations; Beaches

• divided into Eastern & Western areas by the Cabo Peñas.
• Beaches average size, fine sand surrounded by countryside
• Candás, Gijón, Playa de San Lorenzo, Playa de Poniente, Playa del Arbeyal.
• Lastres: Playa de Rodiles, Playa de La Griega, Ribadesella
• Llanes: Playa de Gulpiyuri, Playa de Torimbia, Playa de Poo
• Salinas: Playa de Salinas, Playón de Bayas, Playa de la Concha Arredo, Luarca, Tapia de Casariego

Cities, Culture

• Oviedo: San Francisco Camp, Campoamor Theatre, San Salvador Cathedral, Fontán Plaza, Santa Maria del Naranco Church, San Miguel de Lillo Church.
• Aviles: Niemeyer Center
• Gijon: Labor Univeristy, Cimadevilla, Praise to the Horizon, Archaeological Park of the Campa de Torres.

Ethnographic

• Mining Basin Area: Mining & industrial Museum of Asturias
• Picos de Europa area: towns of Arriondas & Cangas de Onis & Bulnes
• Los Oscos zone: Taramundi, Lastres and Cudillero

Natural

• Picos de Europa National Park
• Route of the Cares River, Route of Narango de Bulnes
• Redes Natural Park, Somiedo Natural Park: Route of the Bears

Gastronomy

• Comida: Fabada, Cachopo, Pote Asturiano, Pastel de Cabracho
• Bebida: Sidra
• Postres: Arroz con Leche, Casadielles, Frixuelos

Festivities

• International descent of the Sella River: Celebrated on the 1st Saturday of August
• La Santina: Celebrated on September 8th

Balearic Islands

• Geographical Location: Unprovincial (Balearic province). Composed of 4 islands:
• Mallorca (largest in population and extension), Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, all inhabited; differences between Mallorca and rest, located in Mediterranean Sea, east of Iberian Peninsula, near Valencia.

Access Roads

Air

• 3 of 4 islands have airport (Menorca, Mallorca and Ibiza), Mallorca (Son Sant Joan): flies to all Spanish cities

Maritime

-all islands except Formentera, connected with Barcelona and Valencia for parts of the year,connected amongst themselves. Year round service to Formentera from Ibiza and during Summer with Denia

Rail

-Soller Train to Palma de Mallorca as excursion

Tourist Destinations

Sol y Playa

Mallorca

• Palma bay area: Magaluf, Can Pastilla, El Arenal
• Island's northern zone: Pollenca and Alcudia
• Eastern coastal towns: Cala Rajada, Porto Cristo, Es Trenc
• La Calobra beach

Menorca

• Northern Zone: Son Parc and Fornells
• South Coast: Galdana and Son Bou

Ibiza

• Capital Zone: Playa de Bossa and Ses Salines
• Southern Zone: Des Cavallet and Ses Salines
• Northern Zone: Portinatx, Portimul

Formentera

Cultural

Mallorca

• Mainly to Capital: Catedral, Bellver Castle, Marivent Palace district
• Sóller: Sóller Parish, tram to Port de Sóller
• Arta: San Salvador Sanctuary.

Menorca

• Maó / Mahón: fortified buildings.
• Ciudadella:Castillo de Sant Nicolau, Talaiyotic Culture

Ibiza

• Dalt Vila: Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, Ibiza Castle. Natural * Serra de Tramuntana-Mallorca

Gastronomy

• Comida: Sobrasada, Mahonesa, Caldereta de langosta & Tumbet
• Postres: Ensaimada

Festivities

• Ibiza: Night time scene-
• Macro discos "Pacha, Space Ibiza Hard rock-
• Parties of Sant Joan
• Middle age street markets

Canary Islands

Location

• Autonomous island community, two provinces: Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• Western islands have taller elevations and more precipitation and vegetation
• Concentrated populations in Tenerife and Gran Canaria
• Located near the Sahara Desert

Access Roads

Air

• Southern Airport of Tenerife (Reina Sofia)
• Gran Canaria covers Spain, Europe locations
• Binter Canarias connect isles.
• Northern Tenerife connects isles and peninsula, fewer international flights Lanzarote & Fuertevenca connect with Spanish locales

Maritime

• From Cadiz Peninsula, Balearia to Huelva
• Naviera Arms & Fred Olsen cover
• Road system
• Main roads

Tourist Destinations

• LANZAROTE

• Beaches-Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen
• Noteworthy buildings- Cesar Manrique

• FUERTEVENTURA

• Beaches- Corralejo and Caleta de Fuste, Morro Jable

• Villages in the center of island has the main cultural.

• City- Puerto del Rosario

• GRAN CANARIA

• Beaches- Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés,

• TENERIFE

• Beaches- Puerto de la Cruz and Los Cristianos -The Cultural-La Laguna is in northern

• LA GOMERA

• Beaches-Valle Gran Rey -The Cultural- north isle -City: not great -Natural- center isle

• LA PALMA

• Beaches- Los Cancajos and Puerto de Naos +The cultural-north east +City; not great

• EL HIERRO -Beaches: play las playas
  +Cultural; center isle

• City-none

• LA GRACIOSA
• Beaches-of the Conchas

Gastronomy

• Comida- Old Clothes
• Desserts-Bienmesable  

Festivities

• Santa Crus de Tenefire
• Celebration of indianos

Cantabria

Location

• North, single provience, Capital is Standander

Access Roads

• By plane; +Standander airport services many locations in spain and parts of europe
• By ferry
  • has lines to Plymouth, UK
• By Rail

• connected with Madrid, some Feve service

• By Road

• travers by A8

Tourist Locations

• Beaches in

• West San Viscente, beach of la Guerra,, Suances

• Area-Metropolitan- la Bahia de Santander- playas el Sardinero

• East side- Playas de Noja- Castro Ordiales Cultural Area-

• Santander

• Santillana del Mar-has travel museums. Caves of altamira

• Natural location, picos de Europa.

• Food- cocido libaniego- sobaos pasiegos y quesada pasiega

• Festivals- Fiesta del Orujo, danzas tradicional cantabricas

Castilla La Mancha

Location

• Inner spain and boarders andaluca, town is toledo

By Access

• Air; toledo is for rich people
• By train- Ave services most
• By Road, Well services highways

Tourist locations

• Toledo location most common to madrid
• Cuenca location
• Site location - near Madrid - palace and garden
• Culture
• Guadaljara location, town of sigüenza and Alcazar

Natural Location

• Parc Natural cabanero
• Festivities- Corpus Christopher and teatro de amagro

Castilla y Leon

Location

Located in the northern portion of Spain and spans across the northern sub-plateau

Access

Air;

• smaller aircraft and terminals, travel to Barcelona seasonally rail +ave services and is connected to Zamora-palencia

Tourist Location

Segovia- Aqueduct Avila +Salamanca +vallolid theatre

Ethnographic

El fresno

Natural Tour

Avila system central, salamanca, gredos system

Food

+Avila- judiones +segovia-cochinilio +Salamanca-hornazo

Festives +holly week +Int theatre festival

Catalunya

location

North East area Spain and borers France and industry sector

Access

• by plane is second largest location in area

• train- connects spain to france

• Maritime- location for boat cruises to Mallarco, and Balerares

Beaches

• brava girona is calm small rocky location +Area Coast
• marema barcelona
• Site Gerona Cadaques and Baracelona-Vic

Natural- Location

+Pernines area location

Food culture

+Pan Tumaca, cava

Location of 2 Spanish Regions: Ceuta and Melilla

Location

• Melilla and Ceutu regions of Spain

• near Africa
• Near moroco

Accerss and Locations

• By air : Melilla by airline Aer Nostrium, Ceuta serviced by helicopter
• Maratime servies from Almeria

Tourists Location

+Similar for areas

• The town is a tourist site

• Caves of Conventicio The Main sights

Region Comunidad Valenciana

location;

• It has an the east side formed by 3 municipalities Alicante Valencia and Castellon in Spain

Access

• The main location are flights to Valencia

• flights Madrid and Barcelona + Aeropuerte de castellon has been used for Romans

Maritime

• has parts located in Algiers
• Valencia
• Denio

Train

Ave located, does not have any parts of coast lines

Tourist location

• City Alicante -

Food

Turron and Orchata

Extremadura

Location

• West is two providences badjox and Carceres with capital as medria

Access

• Aire ; Aero Bada jox ibera
• train : Abandoned in area AVE service Road to Badjox

tourist

• Playa location most beach.

• city of Badjox is plaza Ala ,Cacares is a heritage

• ethnography is area

• food - is Migs extre, and Tortas del casas

• ext festival del teatro

Galicia

Location+

located north west of peninsular

Acces

+Aierial is santigo and lugo & A 7

• Rail - from Madrid
• Road from C- Carunia - with a6 highways

Locations

• *Rias has alta beaches
• natural is national areas
• and island site location as food point

La Rioja

• Central northern area small town Aire has airline for madrid

Festivals are in Augosto and the town has San Lorenzo

Madrid

Location

• Located as centre of penalizer and greatest population
• Aireal airport - connects most world

Train

• Conect most of the capatilis expect for Torrel. Also main centre

Road

The tourist point is sun the beachtown and in mid septem

Murcia

Location- unprvincial area and site is marine area Access by air and marine and rail as well as road Aereals and ferro

Touris location

• Site at aqua and Mazzoron Food and locations

Navarra

Location

• north region and language is eskuretse

Access

• Aireal small parts that have airport airline
• Rod has connect for long highway’s