Málaga, together with Rincon de la Victoria, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Alhaurin de la Torre create an urban area named Greater Málaga populated by 824,842 in 561.71 km² (density 1,468 hab / km²). The population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) is 1,091,228 (according to Plan de Ordenación del Territorio de la Aglomeración Urbana de Málaga), ranking it as the fifth largest metropolitan area in Spain.

The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabian and Christian epochs convert the historic center into an "Open Museum"displaying its rich history of more than 3,000 years. Málaga is the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso and was the port city for Spanish military leader Bernardo de Gálvez, who served as Louisiana Governor.

History

The Phoenicians from Tyre founded the city here circa 770 BCE. The name Malaka is probably derived from the Phoenician word for "salt" because fish was salted near the harbour.

After a period of Carthaginian rule, Malaka became part of the Roman Empire. In its Roman stage, the city (Latin name, Malaca) shows a remarkable degree ofdevelopment. Transformed into a confederated city, it was under a special law, the Lex Flavia Malacitana. A Roman theatre was built at this time.

In the 8th century AD, duríng the Muslim Arabic rule over Spain, the city became an important trade center. Málaga was first a possession of the Caliphate ofCórdoba. 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

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 food stuffs and fruits". He praised its grapes, figs, and almonds; "its ruby-coloured Murcian pomegranates have no equal in the world." Another export was "excellent gilded pottery". The town's mosque was large and beautiful, with "exceptionally tall orange trees" in its courtyard.

Málaga was one of the Iberian cities where Arab rule persisted the longest, having been part of the Emirate of Granada. While most other parts of the peninsula already succumbed to the reconquista, the medieval Christian Spanish struggled to drive the Muslim Arabs out. Málaga was conquered by Christian forces in 1487, five years before the fall of Granada.

On 24 August 1704 the indecisive Battle of Velez-Málaga, the largest naval battle in the War of the Spanish Succession, took place in the sea south of Málaga.

Málaga underwent fierce bombing by Nationalist or Republican air forces and naval units 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.

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.

Tourism on the adjacent Costa del Sol boosted the city's economy from the 1960s onwards.

Location

Málaga is located in southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) on the northcoast of the Mediterranean Sea. It lies about 120 km north-east of the Strait of Gibraltar and Tarifa (the southernmost point of continental Europe), and about 150 km north of Africa, on a similar latitude (36°N) as Algiers in Algeria, Tunis in Tunisia, Aleppo in Syria, Mosul in Iraq, Tehran in Iran, Kunduz in Afghanistan and Fresno, California in the United States.

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean-Subtropical with mild winters and comfortable summers. Málaga enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of about 300 sunshine days and only about 50 days with precipitation annually. It is located on the coastline, the winds blowing from the Mediterranean Sea makes the heat manageable during the summer. It experiences the warmest winters of any European city with a population over 250,000 and over 100,000 jointly with two other cities from Andalusia: Almería and Algeciras.

 Neighborhoods

The old historic center of Málaga touches the harbour to the south and is surrounded by mountains to the north- Montes de Málaga 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.

Architecture

The oldest architectural remains in the city is the Roman theater which dates from the 1st century BCE, and that was fortuitously rediscovered 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 Alcazaba stands on a hill within the city of Málaga. Originally, the Alcazaba monument defended the city from the incursions of pirates. Later, in the mid-11th century, it was completely rebuilt, by the Hammudid dynasty. Occupying the eastern hillside that rises from the sea and overlooks the city, the Alcazaba was surrounded by palms and pine trees.

Like many of the military fortifications that were constructed in Islamic Spain, the Alcazaba of Málaga featured a quadrangular plan. It was protected by an outer and inner wall, both supported by rectangular towers, between which a covered walkway led up the slope to the Gibralfaro. (This was the only exchange between the two sites.) Due to its rough and awkward hillside topography, corridors  throughout the site provided a means of communications for administrative and defensive operations, also affording privacy to the palatial residential quarters. The entrance of the complex featured a grand tower that led into a sophisticated double bent entrance. After passing through several gates, open yards with beautiful gardens of pine and eucalyptus trees, and the inner wall through the Puerta de Granada, one finds the eleventh and fourteenth century governor's palace. It was organized around a central rectangular courtyard with a triple-arched gateway and some of the rooms have been preserved until today. An open eleventh century mirador (belvedere), to the south of this area affords views of the gardens and sea below. Measuring 2.5 square meters, this small structure highlighted scalloped, five-lobed arches. To the north of this area were a waterwheel and Cyclopean well, penetrating forty meters belowground, a hammam, workshops and the monumental Puerta de la Torre del Homenaje, the northernmost point of the inner walls. Directly beyond was the passage to the Gibralfaro above.

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 Christian 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.

Cathedral of Málaga.

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.

Demographics

The provinceof Málaga has a population of 1,563,261 people, whilst the city only holds 566,447 according to the 2008 Census. Foreign nationalities have been significantly rising in Málaga, especially those from the UK who move for the pleasant weather. It is said that the majority of foreigners live by the coastline. An estimated 6 million tourists visit the city each year.

Economy

The most important business sectors in Málaga are tourism, construction, agriculture and technology services, but other sectors such as transportation and logistics are beginning to expand. The Technology Park of Andalusia (PTA), located in Málaga has enjoyed significant growth since its inauguration in 1992 by H.M. the King of Spain. As of 2009, this high-tech, science and industrial park is home to 509 companies and employs over 13,600 people.

In line with the city’s strategic plan, the campaign “Málaga: Open for Business” is directed towards the international promotion of the city on all levels but fundamentally on a business level. The campaign has a special emphasis on new technologies as well as innovation and investigation in order to position the city as a reference and focal point for many global business initiatives and projects.

Culture and contemporary life

Annual cultural events

The Holy Week celebration and the August Málaga Fair ("Feria de Málaga") are two well-known festivals. During the celebration of the Feria de Málaga in August, 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.

Religion

There is awide 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 city has an important link to Islam as it was once controlled by Muslims for more than 700 years. Due to recent immigration, Islam is the second largest religion in the city. The Evangelicals also have a presence in Málaga. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is also a strong growing religion. 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, 12 miles from Málaga. This Buddhist stupa is the biggest in Europe.

Sports

The city has four large sports facilities:

    * Estadio La Rosaleda - football stadium,with a capacity of 28,963. One of the arenas of Primera División (for MálagaCF) and 1982 FIFA World Cup. Final of UEFA Intertoto Cup 2002.

    * Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena - sportsarena, with a capacity of max 14,000. It is home of CB Málaga and arena ofSpanish Cup 2001, 2007; Spanish Super-Cup 2004, 2006;

    * Estadio de Atletismo Ciudad de Málaga -atletico stadium, with a capacity of 7,500. One of the arenas of EuropeanAthletics Championships 2006; 2006 Vuelta a España; Spain AthleticsChampionships 2005

    * Centro Acuático de Málaga (Málaga AquaticCenter) - water arena, with a capacity of 17,000. Arena of European Water PoloChampionship 2008.

In the city and suurounding neighbourhood, you can engage in many sports, for example: surfing,windsurfing, kitesurfing, swimming, diving, skydiving, paragliding, running,cycling, rowing, tennis and golf.

Tourism

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 Seville, Córdoba, Granada, and Jaén can be reached by train, bus or car.

A popular walk leads up 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 innercity of Málaga. A walk takes the Paseo del Parque (a promenade that runsalongside a park with many palm trees and statue) to the harbour, finishing in Calle Larios the main commercial street of the city.

Sights in Málaga

Castle of Gibralfaro

Málaga Civic Center

San Juan Bautista Church

Castle of Sohail.

Castle of Gibralfaro..

Málaga Walls (Phoenician, Roman, Visigothic,Arab and Spanish remains of the defensive compounds of the city)  

Flavian Roman Amphitheatre (Underneath "Plaza de la Merced" Picasso'sbirthplace), under the former cinemas "Victoria", "Astoria"and "Andalucia").

Alcazaba (Arabic for fortress)

The cathedral, in the Græco-Roman style, on thesite of an ancient Moorish mosque, was begun in 1528 and completed in 1719

Harbour, one of the most important in Spain.

Fundación Picasso and Picasso Birthplace Museum

Museo del Patrimonio Municipal de Málaga

Museo Picasso Málaga, located at the Palacio delos Condes de Buenavista

Museo de Málaga at the Palacio de la Aduana

CAC Málaga (museum of modern art)

Museo Interactivo de la Música (MIMMA)

Museo Municipal (city museum)

Museo de Artes y Tradiciones Populares (Museumof Arts and Popular Traditions)

Cathedral of the Encarnation (neoclasical)

Palacio Episcopal (Bishop's Palace)

Iglesia de San Juan Bautista (gothic)

Iglesia del Sagrario (church)

Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago (St James'schurch)

Plaza de Toros (bullring)

The Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales takes place every year on 28 December during which Spain's April Fools  Day is celebrated.

Fiestas deCarnaval 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 are the stalls selling traditional pottery and artifacts.

Greater Málaga

    * Castillo de Bezmiliana in Rincón de laVictoria

    * Fuerte del Rincón de la Victoria

    * Iglesia de San Sebastián in Alhaurín dela Torre

    * Casa Refugio de Torrijos in Alhaurín dela Torre

    * Castillo Sohail in Fuengirola

Transportation

Airport

The city is served by Málaga Airport (IATA: AGP, ICAO: LEMG), one of the first and oldest still in operation in Spain. In 2008, it handled 12,813,472 passengers, making it the fourth busiest in Spain. It is the international airport of Andalusia accounting for 85 percent of its international traffic. The airport, connected to the Costa del Sol, has a daily link with twenty cities in Spain and over a hundred cities in Europe (mainly in United Kingdom,Central Europe and the Nordic countries but also the main cities of Eastern Europe: Moscow, Saint Petersburg , Budapest, Sofia, Warsaw, Riga or Bucharest), North Africa, Middle East (Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait) and Northern America (NewYork, Toronto and Montreal).

Málaga´s Port was ruled by Visigoths (except Byzantine rule between 552-620) after Carthaginian and Roman rule.

Seaport

The Port of Málaga is the city's seaport, operating continuously at least since 600 B.C.

High-speed train

The main rail station is Málaga María Zambrano which is connected with Madrid Atocha by Talgo 200. On 24 December 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 commuter train lines Cercanías and a metro system is under construction.

Roads andhighways

The A45 roadleads north to Antequera and Cordoba. The Autovía A-7 parallels the N-340 road, both leading to Cadiz to the west through the Costa del Sol Occidental and Barcelona to the east through the Costa del Sol Oriental.

 Twin towns — Sister cities

Málaga istwinned with:

    * Bergen, Norway

    * El Aaiún, Western Sahara

    * Faro, Portugal

    * Guadalajara, Mexico

    * Piatra Neamţ, Romania

    * Manila, Philippines

    * Mobile, United States

    * Passau, Germany

    * Tyre, Lebanon

Notablebirths

    * Pablo Picasso, artist

    * Antonio Banderas, actor

    * José Puyet, artist

    * Amparo Muñoz, Miss World 1974

    * José Moreno Carbonero, painter

    * Juan García Postigo, Mr Universe 2007

    * Miguel Ángel Jiménez, professional golfer

    * Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, Prime Minister of Alfonso XII

    * Marqués de Salamanca, banker and politician

    * José Luís Heredia, boxing champion of Europe 1979

    * Daniel Pacheco, Liverpool F.C Striker