Costa del Sol [antikvár]

Costa del Sol The Costa del Sol extends along approximately 300 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline which corresponds to the provinces of Granada, Málaga and Cádiz. Protected from the northern winds by a chain of mountains which, at times, drop into the very sea, this privileged coast is a succession of broad beaches, semi-hidden coves, over-shadowed by tall cliffs, sports harbors and anchorage areas for fishing. The temperate climate, the scarcity of rain and the ocean breezes are responsible for the semi-tropical vegetation, in which the palm trees, cypresses, bougainvillas, oleander and hybiscus are frequent. The proximity of highly different landscapes —mountains, fertile valleys and the sea— is without a doubt one of the major attractions of this coast, which possesses the culture and the scenic loveliness of the Mediterranean. It was in fact due to its very accessible location in relation with other Mediterranean settlements, that the Costa del Sol played an early host to the visits of the Phoenicians, Greeks IVaier sporls and Carthaginians. The Roman Empire extended its tentacles to this area and the traveller can find testimony of their presence in the municipal and provincial museums. Nevertheless, it was the Islamic period that left the greatest mark on the zone, not only in the Oriental atmosphere found in many of the towns, but even in the more traditional means of existence: the farming methods used in the valleys were inherited from the original Arab owners and the handicrafts evidence their Islamic origins both in the styles and the techniques employed. The popular music and the magnificent Moslem monuments which the traveller should not miss are very important aspects in the over-all identity of the Andalusian culture and consequently, of the Costa del Sol. 'kmm f ' ¦ F ¦ irl'. ' i i i'W: i ' 1 I . ! 'N ¦ ¦ I-I j • . ¦ 1 ¦ ¦ ! ¦,