Andalusia

Andalusia, or Andalucía in Spanish, is an autonomous community and historic region in southern Spain. It is the largest in area and the most populous autonomous community in the country, covering about 87,268 square kilometers and housing roughly 8.4 to 8.5 million people. The regional capital is Seville, and the autonomous government is the Junta de Andalucía, with a unicameral Parliament and a president as head of government.

Geographically, Andalusia lies between the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the southeast, extending from the Atlantic coast to the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean littoral. Its terrain includes the Guadalquivir River valley, the Betic Cordillera, and parts of the Sierra Morena. The climate ranges from humid Mediterranean along the coast to hot, dry interior conditions.

Historically, the region has seen occupation by various civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Visigoths. From the 8th to the 15th centuries, much of Andalusia formed Al-Andalus under Muslim rule, with major centers in Córdoba and Granada. The Christian Reconquista ended in 1492 with the fall of Granada, after which Andalusia became part of the Crown of Castile and later the modern Spanish state.

Andalusia has a rich cultural heritage and landmarks such as the Alcázar of Seville, Seville Cathedral with the Giralda, Córdoba’s Mezquita, and Granada’s Alhambra. The Costa del Sol is a major tourist region, along with historic towns like Ronda and Málaga. The economy combines agriculture (notably olives, citrus, and grapes), manufacturing, and tourism, with important port activity at Algeciras and Huelva. Flamenco and a distinct regional cuisine are also associated with the area.