Andalucia, with a total surface area of 87.500 km2 is the second largest and with 8 million inhabitants the most populous of Spain´s 17 autonomous regions. It is more than twice as large as Denmark and divided into 8 provinces with Seville having the most inhabitants followed by Malaga, Cadiz, Granada, Cordoba, Jaen, Almeria and Huelva. The provinces are named after their capitals and Seville is also the capitol of Andalucia. The Andalucian flag consists of 3 horizontal stripes of even width in the colours green, white and green. Foreigners make up 5.35% of the total population which is a hefty increase compared with 1998 when only 1.4% of the inhabitants were foreigners. The varied landscapes, the benign climate and the generous and welcoming nature of the population have turned this once poor region into one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe.

GEOGRAPHY
Andalucia has 500 miles of coastline of which 70% are sandy beaches. The landscape is varied, to say the least, and comprises snow capped mountains, wetlands, arid badlands, evergreen forests and cork and olive woods. More than 18% of this region is protected land with a vast network of parks and reserves. The 22 National Parks range from mountainous regions to coastal areas and the best known are Doñana, Grazalema Sierra de las Nieves and El Torcal, the latter a karstic landscape of surreal rock formations.

HISTORY
As early as 2500 BC Megalithic civilisations flourished in southern Spain and some thousand years later Phoenician seafarers founded the town of Cadiz. The Romans baptised this region Baetica and their presence lasted from 218 BC until more or less the end of the Roman Empire in 476 AD. Among the many constructions they left behind was the first decent road between Malaga and Cadiz. The Vandals (after which the region is named) and the Goths constituted the next foreign invasion around 411 AD but in 711 the Visigothic state was conquered by the Moors (people of Berber and Arab origin). They established one of the most sophisticated civilisations of the Middle Ages and many towns and cities in Andalusia boast spectacular remains of this glorious past. Cordoba was the capital of Muslim Spain and a centre of learning for Muslims, Jews and Christians. The world famous mosque was built in the 8th century and consecrated as a cathedral in the 13th century. The Alhambra in Granada is arguably the most impressive monument the Moors left behind when in 1492 the last Moorish king was evicted from Granada by the Catholic Kings Ferdinand and Isabella. That same year Columbus discovered America. We now make a leap forward and after the bloody civil war (1936-1939) Spain is governed by Franco till his death in 975. In 1977 we see the restoration of the monarchy and in 1986 Spain joins the European Community.

CULTURE
Andalusia is the cradle of flamenco music. This art form is a religion to its adepts and the haunting rhythms have their origin in Arabic music. Bullfighting, the wrong translation of “Corrida de Toros” (the running of the bulls) is also considered an art form and is commented upon by art critics on the cultural pages of the newspapers. Although it has a waning following it would be worth your while to go and see what the Spaniards consider a ritual ballet between man and beast where the outcome is but a consequence and not the object of the spectacle. One should also not forget that this region is the birthplace of Don Juan and Carmen as well as the classical composer Manuel de Falla and many theatres can be found where first class performances can be seen in many art forms. Malaga is the birthplace of Picasso and has an impressive museum that gives you a good idea of the artistic development of this genius. A must is also a visit to one of the many fiestas where often episodes of the Moorish presence in Andalusia are enacted. The Catholic Church, although having lost most of its influence, is still very much present in the romerias and the Easter Week processions.

PLACES TO GO
Due to the rich cultural heritage archaeological remains are scattered over all the 8 provinces. Cities where this comes most to the fore are Seville and Granada but even the smaller places like Antequera and Ronda bear witness to a glorious past. Also do not forget to pay a visit to Italica just outside Seville and in its heyday the largest Roman settlement in Spain. The famous white villages are also a must and most of them are seemingly glued to mountain slopes. A walk through their cobbled streets makes you pleasantly aware of the sharp contrast between the coast and the interior. Here time seems to have lost its meaning and the intricate ballet between light and shadow does further enhance the basic beauty of the simple dwellings and the abundance of flowers. If you are in pursuit of more hedonistic pleasures then of course the coast (in startling contrast to the countryside) and most of the beaches are the places to go with the Costa del Sol as the main centre of where it all happens.