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All About Andalucia
All About Andalucia: southern Iberia had a major role in how Spain became Spain. Multi-cultured societies evolved to become truely Cosmopolitan. Andalucia welcomes its guests, openheartedly. Bullfighting and flamenco emerged in Andalucia. Where the Sherry Triangle thrives. Andalucia is host to world racing Grand Prix a Mecca for bikers in Andalucia Travel MotoGP. Andalucia is THE place to find the best fish, Iberian pata negra and the famed liquid gold Olive Oil produce which comes from the inland Andalucian Sierras.  Just before going to the Feria... Sybaritic, vibrant, sensual, historic Andalucia... enriched by warm sun rays, sweeping over 800kms of Andalucian coastlines to the inland rocky ravines, amazing karstic landscapes, the pancake flats and hot dusty country roads, to the dazzling heights of mountains with spectacular views. 
View of Fuengirola Coastline from the heights of Benalamdena All About Andalucia: Views of the heart of the Costa del Sol
A Genuine Reflection of the Soul of Spain Generally, everything evolves at the speed of lightening, yet some things, remain, exactly the same - like a street name...  Who ate Who? Malagüenian Street Sign.
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Andalucia HistorySignificance of the Plus Ultra Motto Plus Ultra Original Motto Hercules Andalucian Legends Moorish treasures of the Alhambra
Contemporary Andalucian NewsLifestyle of Today Private Andalucian Properties for Sale Things to See and Do Travel Choices Sheer Contrasts Punta Tarifa Two National Parks
Andalucian BeachesWhere is Andalucia The Mediterranean Coasts Ecological Beach News
- 3,000 years ago, the Pillars of Hercules (the Rock of Gibraltar and Monte Hacho in Ceuta - or Jebel Musa in Morroco) guarded the Mediterranean, blocking entrance, of the dangerous Atlantic Ocean, then known as the "Sea of Obscurity" see: Ancient Iberia Map
 - The Pillars of Hercules protect the Royal Coat of Arms centered on the (1981) National Flag of Spain
- The "Plus Ultra" motto (latin: further beyond) furled around the columns, signify:
"entrance to the rest of the world" - opposed to being a Mediterranean Gate to the Atlantic
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Transformation of the significance of Plus Ultra during the reign of Charles V- During Charles V's reign, the Plus Ulta motto was modernized. Travel and exploration identified the Golden Ages of Spain. Fittingly, the motto dropped the "Non" radically transforming the ancient message. Sailors were encouraged to travel, explore and conquer the ancient warning: no longer applied
Carlos Quinto's Plus Ultra motto, found in the Tribunal Hall of Justice in the Mexuar Palace, Alhambra Granada Spain
The Romans were Polytheists - like most cultures at that time - (worshipers of many gods) they embraced Ancient Greek Mythology.
The original motto of The Pillars of Hercules was: Nec (or Non) Plus Ultra (Latin: nothing further beyond) warning sailors to go no further.
- Hercules, during his task of fetching the cattle of Erytheia, smashed through the Atlas mountains and thus narrowed the Straits of Gibraltar, keeping the Atalantic Ocean monsters out of the Mediterranean
- All About Andalucia's Flag: depicts Hercules on the coat of arms
 - In 1918, Blas Infante lay the foundations for the Andaluz autonomy, embracing the Andaluz flag and its coat of arms as the national symbol for Andalucia
- Its legend is: "ANDALUCÍA POR SÍ, PARA ESPAÑA Y LA HUMANIDAD" (Andalusia by herself, for Spain and for Humankind)
- Hercules appears between the columns, restraining two tamed lions
- Above the columns rises an arch, there is another inscription: "DOMINATOR HERCULES FUNDATOR". Hercules's power reflects domination of the strongest creatures from the animal kingdom
- Plato was convinced that the lost realm of Atlantis could be discovered beyond the Pillars of Hercules
TOP - The chilly history of how the Moors introduced Snow Wells to Andalucia: Los Nerveros (the snow gatherers) for Moorish desert Gastronomy specialities - way back in the 10th Century
- The al-Andalus reconquering Hero, Rodrigo Diaz: The Legendary El Cid
- Spain’s Golden Ages and Dark Melancholy
The Many Styles of Art and Architecture found on the Iberian Peninsula
Costa del "Sol", Costa de la "Luz".
Does Sol or Luz siginfy 'anything' to you?
It was All About Andalucia's clear, warm light which seduced and inspired artists and writers alike, to take up residence and do their work in Andalucia. The eight Provinces of AndaluciaSevilla - interior is Andalucia's Capital. Almeria - Costa de Almeria Granada - Costa Tropical Malaga - Costa del Sol Cadiz - Costa de la Luz Huelva - Costa de la Luz Jaen - Interior Cordoba - Interior Click here to see our favourite Andalucian Geography images
The Atlantic CoastsCadiz and Huelva have Atlantic coasts. Atlantic beaches are graced with fine white sand.TOP
Andalucia's Southernmost and Windiest Area Tarifa is where warmer Mediterranean waters merge dramatically with the cold Atlantic. Punta Tarifa: is a fascinating adventure spot. It is THE Surfer's Paradise, where Surfing and Kite-surfing abound. Tarifa is most southernmost point of the Iberian peninsula and of Europe. 14kms Separate Tarifa (and Spain) from the African Continent. Both its 'past and present' are important to the Iberian peninisula, Baelo Claudia, belongs to Tarifa. Thriving marine-environments emerged around this area.
Ecological Wealth 18% of Andalucian Territory: Protected National Parks and Nature Reserves.Doñana National (and Nature Reserve) Park - Huelva Europe's leading wetland Sierra Nevada National (and Nature Reserve) Park - GranadaTOP
All About Andalucia, some residents of Doñana's Parklife, protected Spoonbills
Estrecho Nature Reserve - CadizCabo de Gata - Nijar Nature Reserve Almeria, a Unesco Biosphere Natural Reserve. Stretching from Carboneras to El Retamar, the park encompasses over 46,000 hectares of Almerian virgin beachland Some of the Mountain Nature RerservesAndujar Nature Reserve - Cordoba Hornachuelos Nature Reserve - Cordoba Subbetica Nature Reserve - Cordoba Grazalema Nature Reserve - Cadiz Los Alconorcales Natural Park - Cadiz
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Late October in the Guadalhorce Lakes

Sacab Coin 2009 Andalucian Horse Show
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- The intrinsic heartbeat of the inland white villages; see how they compare with the bustling costal towns
- Be reminded of the sensual, sybaritic flavour of Moorish Spain's al-Andalus Caliphate: which left predominant features of Andalucía
- Caliphal Architecture
- Andalucía is on the main African – European bird migration routes
- A supreme environment due to its abundance of flora and fauna
- Sacab Coin 2nd Largest Horse Show in Spain
TOP Almeria, Granada and Malaga enjoy a Mediterranean coast. The Mediterranean climate has less wind than the Atlantic side and therefore is warmer. Sevilla, Cordoba and Jaen are interior provinces. Andalucia was the historic trading crossroads acting as THE Mediterranean exit-and-entry traffic port(s). Christopher Columbus set sail for the Americas - from El Puerto de Santa Maria, Andalucia: rivers of Americas' gold was imported in Santa Maria.
Marbella Town Hall are donating over 15,000 beach ashtrays. - These ash-trays are orange-coloured and look rather like an ice-cream cone with a clip-on hood
- Smokers are approached by the Chiringuito owner and are asked to use the special beach ash-tray
- When you leave, cap the cone and stick it in the sand
- Their size and colour facilitates beach debris collection
- Who wants foul smelling cigarette butts invading glorious Andalucian Beaches?
- Hopefully, this innovative ecological idea, will spread to every Spanish beachside
 It's a Great Incentive to Keep our Beaches Clean
From Heritage Monuments, to ski resorts, to National Parks, the dramatically different landscapes, to amazing Andalusian beaches, or the excellent variety of gourmet menus - the al-Andalus historic sites make excellent Graduation trips. There are vacations for the whole family in Andalusia. Andalucia is extraordinary in its wealth of diversities. Andalucian Life of The Present and the Past will captivate you in every perceptive moment in All About Andalucia.
Top of All About Andalucia page Interesting Links for All About Andaluciafrom english to spanish Links for Learning Spanish: Full of information on the transition from English to Spanish life fast, including learning Spanish, Spanish lifestyle and culture, food and wine, buying property in Spain and much more. AccomodationVillas in Spain Villas in Spain selection from reputable holiday and travel agents to book on lineHelpful Resources in AlicanteWhen looking for renting a car in Alicante Car Hire Alicante offer a quality personal service for car hire next to the Alicante airport, Spain.Travel AbroadChina Tour China tour operator offers private China tour packages, grouptours to Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Yangtze for China vacation, 24/7 best services.
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