AGUA AMARGA
Agua Amarga is a pretty fishing village and beach resort on the Almeria coast, in Cabo de Gata-Nijar natural park, with a population of just 400. Still undiscovered by large-scale tourism, this is one of Andalucia's hidden seaside treasures.
While its name may translate as Bitter Water, this delightful, laid-back beach town has excellent Mediterranean cuisine, good independent boutiques and trendy bars. During the season, May to September / October, the beach scene is lively and bars are buzzing.
The picturesque white village is protected by large headlands, with small fishing boats anchored in the bay. The beach is sheltered with smooth, calm waters, perfect for swimming and great for families.
Agua Amarga is part of the municipal district of Nijar. You can reach the village from Carboneras to the north, or inland from the motorway, however, access from the south is only by foot or bike.
The traditional, unspoilt village sits on a 500-metre-long beach, with houses and restaurants along the beachfront. While there is no seafront promenade as such, it's very pleasant for strolling along the beach.
This fishing village does not have a harbour - instead, small fishing boats are pulled up onto the beach. You can sample the freshly-caught fish at the superb, locally-renowned beachfront fish restaurants.
As well as the usual food shops and souvenir stores, hairdresser and massage salon, you can find holistic treatments and yoga classes. On-trend independent holiday boutiques sell swimwear, desirable summer attire, and handmade jewellery.
The small town square is the focus of village life. Children will love the playgrounds, one of which is right on the beach.
ALMERIA PROVINCE
Almería is a province of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. It is bordered by the provinces of Granada, Murcia and the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is the homonymous city of Almeria.
Almería has an area of 8,774 km2 (3,388 sq mi). With 701,688 (2014) inhabitants, its population density is 79.96/km², slightly lower than the Spanish average. It is divided in 102 municipalities.
Geography
The highest mountain range in the Province of Almería is the 50 km (31 mi) long Sierra de Los Filabres.
Europe's driest area is found in Almería and is part of the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. The arid landscape and climate of the province have made it an ideal setting for Western films, especially during the 1960s. Because of the demand for these locations, quite a number of Western towns were built near the Tabernas Desert. Films such as A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, and The Bad, and The Ugly, were shot here. Years later the film of 800 Bullets was filmed in the same place. Large sections of Conan the Barbarian (1982 film), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Lawrence of Arabia, and Patton were shot there as well.
The main river is the Andara River, which is located near Granada in the Alpujarras. The Beninar Reservoir, located near Darrical, provides part of the water needed in the production in greenhouses.
Fauna
Interesting and unique species of animals native to the Alto Almanzora are in the process of extinction.
Economy
The most important economic activity is greenhouse farming. Millions of tons of vegetables are exported to other European countries and other parts of the world each year.
Tourism is also a key sector of the economy, due to the sunny weather and attractive areas such as Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce, Almerimar, Mojacar, Vera or Cabo de Gata.
Industry
The principal industrial activity is in the Macael (Comarca del Marmol) canteras marble quarrying area in the Sierra de los Filabres region from Macael Viejo to Chercos, Lijar and Cobdar which produce in excess of 1.3 million tons. The Cantoria, Fines, Olula del Rio and Purchena area of the Alto Almanzora valley is fast becoming the regional megalopolis through high imports and exports and employment in local, national and international marble processing. All the tourist accommodations and construction throughout coastal Spain has driven high demand and brought huge modernisation. Small pueblos of agriculturalists have given rise to computerised machining factories.
History
Prehistoric
The Paleolithic Agre of Almería was characterized by small nomadic and hunter-gatherer groups. The oldest Paleolithic site is Zájara Cave I (Cueva de Zájara I) in the Caves of the Almanzora (Cuevas del Almanzora).
The first villages and spaces dedicated exclusively to burials appear by the Neolithic Age, and even before the Upper Paleolithic Age. The cave paintings of the Cave of the Signs (Cueva de los Letreros) and twenty other caves and shelters of Los Vélez are dated to this era, and were designated a World Heritage site by Unesco in 1989.
Ancient
The rich customs and Fiestas of the denizens retain links deep into the past, unto the Moors, the Romans, the Greeks, and the Phoenicians.
Middle Ages
During the taifa era, it was ruled by the Moor Banu al-Amin from 1012 to 1038, briefly annexed by Valencia (1038–1041), then given by Zaragoza to the Banu Sumadih dynasty until its conquest by the Almoravids in 1091. Some centuries later, it became part of the kingdom of Granada.
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