Costa Del Sol

Costa Del Sol It is possible that the Neolithic revolution, the discovery of agriculture the passage of nomadic to sedentary peoples, reached Europe by way of Africa through what is known today as Andalusia. This historical center of influence, an east - west displacement, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic began with a revolution that introduced the usage of metals and the arrival of colonizers from the east. A confluence of fertile lands, of metallurgy and fishing activities took place in this westernmost area that the Tartars once inhabited. This mysterious civilization that lived in the southern Iberian peninsula since the bronze ages, established the first known monarchy in western Europe. The Tartars, an agricultural and cattle raising people, also worked the gold mines while their ships traded with Great Britain from the west and received the Phoenicians from the east. This marked the beginning of a complex geographical position between two oceans and two continents. Rome took up residence on these shores after realizing that this region could become the open door for a threat from Cartage. Roman legions appeared for the first time in the 3rd century BC. The exuberant province of Bética would become for the next seven centuries part of the great civilized world, contributing to the empire materials such as metals, wine, oil, wheat, philosophers, writers and the first two emperors born outside of the Italic peninsula.: Trajano and Adriano. Other peoples appeared from the north. From the shores of the Rin descended the Vandals in 411 AD. They settled in the valley of the Guadalquivir river and in northern Africa and for half a century united the shores of the two continents. Before being expelled by the Visigoths they had given a new name to the region of Europe: Vandalucía.

 Since the arrival in 711 of Islam this region enjoyed wonderful times. The Caliphate of Córdoba during many years was the most sophisticated state in all of Europe. The Arabs contributed new techniques to agriculture, botany and science, poetry and intellectual development during a period of eight centuries. Their political breakdown was taken advantage of by the Christian Kingdoms from the north of the peninsula accelerating the capture of the Iberian peninsula. In 1236 Córdoba fell. Sevilla followed in 1248. The last bastion, the Kingdom of Granada, was conquered by the Catholic Kings in 1492. that same year Columbus set sail from the Andalusian port of Palos in Huelva, to discover America. The center of global economic and political movement was displaced. An Andalusian town took notice of this crucial moment achieving its greatest glory shortly afterwards for the following 150 years. Known as the spot where the heart of Europe beats, Sevilla became the neurological center of the Spanish empire. Her port received ships loaded with gold and silver from America, and from there minted coins were circulated throughout other European nations. A little later Cádiz would continue this Andalusian leading role in its relations with the Indies. Sanlúcar de Barrameda, a neighboring village became the port from where the first round the world voyage was initiated. Romantic travelers would later recall such splendors with archeological remains of demolished towers, hidden patios in ancient homes and stately palaces. The myth of figures such as Carmen and the figure of Don Juan, generous bandits, brave bullfighters and oriental exoticism arose; images constructed by foreign eyes that today still endure.

Recent Andalusian history is tied to a turbulent 19th century that started off with the War of Independence and the approval of the first Spanish Constitution in the courts of Cádiz in 1812. Efforts to modernize and industrialize the economy were marked by massive exploitations of mineral resources, and a remarkable increase in exports of wine and oil. These changes were strongly resisted by an economy deeply rooted in agriculture practices. The 20th-century arrived with proposals of regeneration and optimism during the 20s. however social instability persisted and led to the start of the Civil War in 1936 and its consequences. After the brilliant economic and social transformations of the 60s and 70s, democracy was established and Andalusia became an autonomous region in 1981, with the Junta de Andalucía as the maximum governing body and a Parliament acting as the main instrument representing a population of close to six million. Arts and Culture The age old millennial history of Andalusia has left behind a vast artistic legacy. The Alhambra of Granada, the Mezquita of Córdoba, or the Giralda of Sevilla are monumental milestones of mankind. Most other cities and towns are also represented with the best moments of Andalusian art left over long periods of time. The brilliant Islamic, renaissance and most of all baroque architecture of its most important buildings, castles, fortresses and monasteries, have been spread out over the region completing a national wealth of enormous importance.