Málaga

Málaga is a city and port in the autonomous community of Andalusia, southern Spain. It is the capital of the province of Málaga and a principal urban area on the Costa del Sol, on the Mediterranean coast. The municipality has a population of around 570,000, while the wider metropolitan area is home to roughly 1.6–1.7 million residents. Málaga has a long history that spans Phoenician origins as Malaca, then Carthaginian and Roman periods, followed by a period under Islamic rule as Mālaqa. It became part of the Crown of Castile in 1487 during the Reconquista and subsequently developed as a commercial and cultural center. In the 19th and 20th centuries it expanded as a port and industrial hub and later grew into a major tourist destination.

Cultural and historical sites include the medieval Alcazaba fortress, the Gibralfaro castle, the Roman Theater, and the baroque-styled Málaga Cathedral, commonly called La Manquita. The city houses major museums, notably the Picasso Museum (dedicated to the artist born in Málaga), the Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga, and the Centre for Contemporary Art (CAC Málaga). Málaga hosts annual events such as the Feria de Málaga in August and Semana Santa with processions, and the Málaga Film Festival showcasing national and international cinema.

Economy and transport: Tourism is a core economic activity along with services, maritime transport, and logistics. The Port of Málaga handles cargo and cruise traffic and has undergone redevelopment for leisure use. The city is served by Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) and the Málaga María Zambrano railway station, with rail connections including high-speed services to Madrid and other cities. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters, making Málaga a year-round destination.