Málaga is a port city in Andalucía, southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol coast of the Mediterranean. It has a historical centre with narrow streets and wide boulevards, impressive monuments and beautiful gardens, but it is also pulsing with modern life, fashionable shops, terrific bars and nightlife and vibrant cultural life mainly due to the new museum devoted to Málaga-born Pablo Picasso, which opened in 2003.

Population

According to the 2006 census the population is 558,287. The population of the urban area was 814,000 as of 2005 estimates. The population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) was 1,074,074 as of 2005 estimates, ranking as the fifth largest metropolitan area in Spain.

Geography and climate

Málaga is surrounded by mountains, lying in the southern base of the Axarquía hills, and two rivers, the Gualdalmedina - the historic centre is located on its left bank - and the Gualdalhorce, which flows west of the city into the Mediterranean.

The climate is mild and equable, the mean annual temperature being about 19 °C (66 °F). For its broad sky and wide bay the city has been compared to Naples.

Transportation

The city is served by Málaga Airport, which is the main international gateway to Andalucia. The Port of Málaga is the cities seaport.

he main rail station is Málaga-Renfe, which is connected with Madrid Atocha by Talgo 200. Later in 2007, the high-speed train AVE is coming into service, reducing travel time to Madrid to just two and half hours. The city has two commuter train lines and a metro system is under construction.

Buses are the main form of transport around the city. Málaga's bus station is connected with the city by the bus line number 4, although it is only 10 minutes walk to the Alameda from there. There are services to France, Portugal, Germany and Morocco too.

The A45 road leads north to Antequera and Cordoba. Car rental is available at the airport Arrivals. It is cheap and the services are excellent owing to the intense competition, although it is worth checking that the car rental pick up location is based at the airport itself.

Religion

In Málaga there is a wide spectrum of religions from the Occident and Orient: most of the citizens declare themselves to be Catholics. One of the most beautiful churches is the "Santuaria de la Virgen de la Victoria". Islam is also represented with the construction of a new mosque. The Evangelic are also making themselves known through a variety of different activities and social works. The Jewish Community in Málaga is represented by its synagogue and the Jewish Association. It is also possible to visit the Hindi Temple and Buddhist Stupa in Benalmadena, only 12 miles from Málaga, which is the biggest in Europe.

Festivals

The Holy Week during Easter and the Málaga Fair, "Feria de Málaga", which takes place from mid to late August, are the two most well-known of Málaga’s festivals.

Beaches

Sandy city beaches stretch several kilometres in each direction from the port. Playa de la Malagueta is handy to the city centre with several places to eat and drink close by. Playa de Pedregalejo and Playa del Palo about 4km east of the centre are popular and reachable by bus No. 11 from Paseo del Parque.