Because of its strategic position right next to and open to the Mediterranean, Almeria has acted as a magnet to many seafaring and war-like cultures. In the province of Almeria, archaeological remains dating from the entire historical spectrum are found littered about the landscape. It is not unusual to see an Arabic watch tower side by side with a Roman fortress or remains of a Palaeolithic settlement.
Phoenician, Carthaginian and Greek merchants all used the coastal ports to expand their commercial empires. The Romans established a port in the capital of Almeria that dates from the third century after the birth of Christ and this port dominated the Mediterranean until the conquest by the Visgoths at the collapse of empire.
There are many castles and fortresses that adorn the landscape of the province of Almeria. History hangs heavy in the atmosphere; especially that of the Arabic culture that dominated here for almost eight centuries.
Many of these show a temporal evolution as they fell, one by one in a gradual recapture of the land from the Moors by the advancing Christian forces, and were converted into frontier fortresses dominating the life and skyline of ancient Spain.
 Many still dominate of the skyline although now, instead of being stark structures designed to invoke fear, they are more of interest to the many visitors that are attracted by the climate, the good food and the rich historical experience.
In terms of agriculture, the Almerian economy has undergone a virtual revolution. For much of the 20th century, Almeria’s climate was only considered to be useful for shooting of films depicting the American West; its scorched landscape being written off as a forgotten and remote corner of Spain. More recently massive agricultural businesses have spread over more than 25,000 hectares of the coastal plains alone. Here, the sea and the desert coexist with some of the most fertile and productive orchards in the Iberian Peninsula.
There are many types of landscape to be experienced within Almeria and it is rich in Natural Parks, or areas that have been designated as ‘protected’. The coastal plains give way to desert regions where survival is the one dominating task and where salty lagoons provide protection to many exotic species of bird and plant.
The beautiful natural parkland of Cabo de Gata has, since 1980, has been providing ongoing protection for an almost unique variety of flora and fauna that abounds on its almost deserted beaches that can be enjoyed by anyone. There are many other places that can be enjoyed by all.
The Natural Park of the Sierra Nevada has snows that last all year round and to the north, the Natural Park of the Sierra María-Los Vélez has a rich fauna that has to be experienced to be believed. All this and the spectacular desert landscapes of the Desert of Tabernas make Almeria a place well worth visiting.
More information
http://www.almeria-turismo.org
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 November 2008 )
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