Andalucía

Andalucía is an autonomous community and historic region in southern Spain. It is the largest by area and its capital is Sevilla. The eight provinces are Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga, and Sevilla. The population is about 8.5 million.

Geography and climate: Located on the southern Iberian Peninsula, Andalucía borders Portugal to the west and is washed by the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest and the Mediterranean Sea to the south and east. It includes parts of the Betic Cordillera, notably the Sierra Nevada in Granada with Mulhacén, the highest mainland peak. The Guadalquivir River runs through Seville and Córdoba. The coast features the Costa de la Luz and the Costa del Sol. The climate ranges from hot, dry inland to milder coastal conditions.

History and culture: The region has deep Iberian roots and later Roman and Visigothic influence, and it was a center of Al-Andalus under Muslim rule. It has a distinctive cultural heritage, notably flamenco and Moorish architecture. UNESCO World Heritage sites include the Alhambra in Granada, the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, the Dolmens of Antequera, the Renaissance towns of Úbeda and Baeza, and Doñana National Park.

Economy and administration: The economy blends agriculture, tourism, and industry. Major products include olives, citrus, wine, and cork; tourism sustains coastal towns such as Málaga. The Junta de Andalucía, established under the Statute of Autonomy in 1981, governs the region from Sevilla and eight provincial administrations operate within it.