Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol^[a] (literally "Coast of the Sun") is a region in the south of Spain in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It includes the coastal towns and communities along the coastline of the Province of Málaga and the eastern part of Campo de Gibraltar in Cádiz. Formerly made up only of a series of small fishing settlements, today the region is a world-renowned tourist destination. The Costa del Sol is between two lesser known coastal regions, the Costa de la Luz and the Costa Tropical.

Costa del Sol
Riviera
From top down, left to right: a view of Costa del Sol, Puerto Banús in Marbella, Balcón de Europa, beach in Nerja, view of Benalmádena, calle Larios, beach in Fuengirola
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Andalusia
Province	Málaga Cádiz
Population
• Total	1,412,541

The region has no official limit, but it is generally accepted that the Costa del Sol stretches from the municipality of La Línea de la Concepción in the west to Nerja in the east, around 150 kilometers of coastline. The term Costa del Sol was coined at the beginning of the 20th century by Rodolfo Lussnigg to promote the Almería coastline. Until the late 1960s, it was used in reference to the entire Mediterranean coast of Eastern Andalusia. The name refers to the sunny climate, present in the region most days of the year. The Costa del Sol is one of the most important tourist areas in Spain. Around 35% of Andalusia's tourism is concentrated in the region; in 2009 it had 17 million overnight stays.^[1]

The population of the Costa del Sol varies depending on the time of year. Many people own holiday homes in the region. According to the latest available data from the National Statistics Institute of Spain,^[2] The population of the province of Malaga was about 1.6 million in 2020.

1. The Costa del Sol is known for its sunny weather, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year.
2. The region is home to several historic landmarks and cultural attractions, including the Alhambra Palace in Granada and the Picasso Museum in Malaga.
3. The Costa del Sol is famous for its beaches, with over 160 kilometres of coastline and more than 70 beaches.
4. The region is also known for its gastronomy, with a variety of local dishes and delicacies, including paella, gazpacho, and fried fish.
5. It is a popular destination for golf enthusiasts, with over 70 golf courses
6. The region is home to several festivals and celebrations throughout the year, including the Malaga Fair in August and the Three Kings Parade in January.
7. There is a diverse expat community, with many British, German, and Scandinavian residents living in the region.
8. It has a rich history and cultural heritage, with evidence of settlements dating back to the Phoenicians and the Romans.

History of the Costa del Sol

The history of the Costa del Sol dates back to the time of the Phoenicians and the Romans.

The Phoenicians were the first to establish a settlement in the region. The Romans founded the city of Malaca (modern-day Malaga) around 300 BC. During the Roman period, the region became a successful centre for trade, agriculture, and mining. The Romans built several towns and ports along the coast, including Cartama, Velez-Malaga, and Almuñecar. In the ninth century AD, the Moors invaded Spain and introduced Islam to the country. They dominated the Costa del Sol for centuries. They left a cultural legacy that can still be seen in some of the region's most prominent landmarks. The Moors established irrigation and agriculture systems in the area and introduced crops like olives, almonds, oranges, and lemons.

In 1487, the Spanish monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, conquered the Costa del Sol and the rest of Andalusia. The Catholic monarchs encouraged the resettlement of the region by Christians, leading to the construction of many churches and monasteries.

In the 20th century, the Costa del Sol became a desired tourist destination. The first luxury hotels were developed in the 1950s and 1960s, followed by a boom in the construction of holiday homes and apartments in the 1970s and 1980s. The tourism industry has since become a significant economic driver for the region. Millions of visitors flock to the Costa del Sol every year to enjoy its pleasant climate, beautiful beaches, and cultural attractions.