Andalucia Foods
Andalucia
For many people Andalucia is all that they imagine Spain to be. Great weather, sun, sea and beaches, bullfighting, sherry and flamenco. Covering over 33,000 square kilometers, and runs along the south coast of mainland Spain is the largest and most populated of the 17 autonomous regions of Spain. Andalusia is crossed by the Sierra Morena range in the north and south by the snowcapped Sierra Nevada. The fertile basin of the Guadalquivir River lies between these mountains. Huelva, Seville, Cadiz, Cordoba, Malaga, Jean, Granada and Almeria, all named after their main cities, are the eight provinces in the region
History – Phoenicians settled here in the 11th century a. C. founding several coastal colonies among them Gadir now Cadiz. Greeks and Carthaginians came in the 6th century BC. The Romans expelled the Carthaginians in the 3rd century BC and that in turn had their rule ended by the Visigoths in the 5th century AD. 711 saw the Moors crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and set the center of their western emirate here in Cordoba. The Moorish period was the golden age of Andalusia. Agriculture, leather working, mining, ceramics, textiles and trade is encouraged and brought great prosperity. Cordoba, Granada and Seville, embellished by the greatest Moorish monuments in Spain, the Mezquita, the Alcazar and Palace Alhambra, respectively, were celebrated as centers of arts, culture and science. It remained under Islamic rule until the 13th century when, with the exception of the kingdom Moor of Granada, most of it was conquered by the kings of Castile, who in turn fell to the Catholic Monarchs in 1492. Andalucia declined along with the rest of the country from the 16th century. Although trade with the New World enabled the ports of Seville and Cadiz to continue to flourish. In 1713 Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain and in 1833 Andalucía current was divided into eight provinces. The region was a stronghold of anarchism during the Spanish Republic. It is, however, fell early to the insurgents in the Spanish Civil War. recurrent demonstrations against Franco were seen across Andalucia during his dictatorship. It became an autonomous region in 1981 and elected its first parliament the following year.
The region has some interesting contrasts. The deserts of Almeria in the east are the driest part of all the country, while Sierra de Grazalema in the southwest, as it exposed to winds from the Atlantic, is the wettest of Spain. Both the cities of Cordoba and Seville are known for their warmth stifleing during the summer months, but remain the peaks of the Sierra Nevada snow capped all year round. And contrast the rugged coastline of the Cabo de Gata or the Atlantic coast of Cadiz, both with their comparatively deserted beaches, with the intensely developed area in the province of Malaga. Yes the beaches are still are there – you can not see for tourists.
There is still a strong Moorish influence in the character, customs and language of the people. With its tradition of bullfights, flamenco and dance is one of the most amazing color of Europe. With the abundance of Moorish architecture and its pleasant climate is easy to see why the growth in tourism has been so strong in recent decades. Agriculture, arid lands contrast with richly fertile regions where cereals, citrus, grapes, olives and sugar cane are grown. Industries, generally based on local agricultural products, including flour milling, extraction olive oil and wine. Cattle, bulls for the ring, and raised fine horses. The rich mineral resources, exploited since Phoenician times, include copper, iron, lead and zinc. But despite all this poverty is widespread. Agricultural workers are among the poorest in Europe and many unemployed have migrated to the industrial centers further north.
Semana Santa – Holy Week in Andalusia is important festival and is celebrated for a week. It features processions of hooded penitents along with floats decorated with scenes from the passion of traveling through the streets of most cities and large towns. Accommodation can be difficult to find during the week advance booking is recommended.
Flamenco is believed to have been introduced in Andalusia, is home today in the 15th century by gypsies from in the region. It is a combination of music, especially the guitar, sing and dance and play at parties, in bars and at private parties. Audience participation is encouraged.
Almeria – Probably founded by Phoenicians, Almería flourished from the 13th to the 15th century as the output of the Moorish kingdom of Granada. In 1489 it fell to the Christians. Today sunny and mild climate attracts many northern Europeans both as tourists and permanent residents. The capital, also Almeria, is a Mediterranean port busy. It exports significant quantities of agricultural products and iron and other minerals recovered nearby. The city has refineries, chemical plants and cement, and light.
Cádiz – In 1100 BC the Phoenicians founded the port of Gadir, known today as Cadiz, which became a market for silver and tin. Some 600 years later was taken by the Carthaginians and passed in the 3rd century BC to the Romans. It flourished until the fall of Rome, but suffered from Visigoths and unlike much of Andalucia declined further under the Moors. The fortifications were rebuilt after it is re-conquest in 1262 by Alfonso X of Castile. After the discovery of the New World, Cadiz revived its prosperity, as many American ships unloaded their cargo there. Columbus sailed from Cadiz 1495, his second trip. Inthe late 16th century both Sir Francis Drake and the Earl of Essex led attacks on the fleet anchored there and the city respectivly. When in 1718 a sandbar blocked the port of Cadiz, Seville became the new world trade center. The city declined after Spain lost its American colonies. Cadiz withstood a siege of two years by the French since 1810 to 181,212 unti lthe Duke of Wellington's forces relieved it. Cadiz fell to the Nationalists during the Civil War Spanish. Today the city, which lies at the southern end of the bay of Cadiz, has an abundance of parks and squares Promanade. It is primarily an export port wines, especially the local sherry which has a worldwide reputation and other agricultural products and importing coal, foodstuffs and iron. There a large fishing fleet and shipbuilding based here some on a limited scale takes place. At the north end of the bay is the U.S. naval base in Rota.
Cordoba is located next to a loop in the river upstream from Sevilla Guadalequiver. During the time when the Romans ruled Cordoba was the largest city in Spain and enjoy a high profile during the time of the Moors. They built the Mezquita, the most beautiful mosque in Spain.
Granada – Originally a fortress Muslim, became the seat of the kingdom of Granada in 1238. At the height of Muslim rule this kingdom encompassed both nieghbouring the province of Malaga and Almeria well as parts of Cadiz and Jean. During this time the city was recognized as a center of art, commerce, industry and science. As Christians south of the city led was the stronghold of the Moors in Spain, finally threw in 1492. In the 17th century is the prominence owes much to the fact that EXI was a major center of silk. Located at the confluence of the rivers Darro and Genil. The surrounding area is devoted to agriculture and mineral extraction with Granada as the commercial center of them. The city is a tourist center, with attractions like the Alhambra Palace and other notable Moorish buildings. Facing the Alhambra through the Darro river, the Sacromonte hill is a maze of caves Roma. The nearby ski resorts of Sierra Nevada also bring visitors to the town. South of Granada are the valleys of the Alpajarras bounded to the north by the Sierra Nevada and South Lújar saws, and Gador The Contraviesa. The picturesque area is dotted with traditional white villages. fertile soil provides good farming citrus, bananas and avacadoes between food grown.
The city of Huelva is the capital of the province of the same name is on the river Odiel. It is a busy port exporting copper, cork and sulfur. Like most Spanish ports available fleeet fishing and also some oil refineries and shipbuilding. It has a limited tourist trade during the summer months. The city is supplied water through a Roman aqueduct. Columbus planned his voyages in the nearby monastery of La Rabida. El Coto de Doñana National Park, Europe's most important and largest wildlife sanctuary is located in the delta of the river Guadalquivir. 60,000 hectares have been fenced to provide the perfect habitat for varied speices of wildlife, birds in particular.
Hosted Jaén of a small Moorish kingdom and played an important role in the conquest of Granada from the Moors by Christian forces during the 15th century. During the War of Independence of the principles of the 1800s the French won a major victory here. Today is the commercial center of a fertile area agricutural production of oil and wine. more Europe's rich mines of lead and copper and iron are close are also extracted. The town Alcalá la Real is known to be sources of mineral water. The Natural Park Sierras de Cazorla, over 2,000 square kilometers, is the greatest protection are in Spain. Here you can see ibex, red or fallow deer and wild boar.
The city of Malaga was founded by the Phoenicians and passed through the hands of the Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and the Moors when they prospered as an important port for the kingdom. Finally, it fell to Christian forces in 1487 Malaga is located in the bay of Malaga and is a major port. The exports include wine local almonds, olives, nuts and iron ore. Its beaches, luxurious vegitation and mild climate make it one of the most important tourist destinations. Picasso born here and is a museum of his works.
Seville was important in Phoenician times and favored by the Romans. He continued as the main southern city Spain with the Visigoths. It fell to the Moors in 712 and became an important center for culture and commerce. After a siege that was caught out by Christians in 1248. Some 300,000 Muslims are reputed to have fled the city after the capture. Seville entered its greatest period of prosperity with discovery of the Americas and was the main trading port with the new colonies. In 1718 a sandbar closed the port to shipping and Seville went into steady decline. The French sacked the city in 1810. Throughout the civil war in Sevilla was held by the Nationalists. Today Seville is both capital to the province and the region of Andalusia. Standing in the Guadalquivir River, which connects it to the Atlantic, has again become a port of the note of access to vessels going to sea. Exports include minerals, cork, fruit, olives and wine. Armanents, chemicals, explosives, machinery, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, porcelain, textiles and manufacturing snuff are all local. This is an important cultural and tourist center. Seville has kept much of its Moorish aspect and one of the world's largest cathedrals occupies the site of an ancient mosque. The Giralda tower and the court of oranges remain from Moorish structure. It also contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus in the cathedral. The 14th century Alcazar, built by Moorish craftsmen stood beside the cathedral and is superseded only by the Palace of the Alhambra in Granada. It is recognized as the leading center in Spain of bullfights.
More information about Spain can be found in Spanish Travel Guide
About the Author
Ken Jones runs the two websites. A Spanish Travel Guide which includes a commercial directory wth extensive listings for hotels, hostals and pensions, property for rent and sale.And a Sailing Site which features a global marine directory with listings for yacht charter, sailing schools, marine surveyors, boat insurance and marine electronics.
Alcaudete Summer Fiesta
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