andaluz

Andaluz, or Andalusian (andaluce/andaluza in Spanish), refers to things or people from Andalusia, an autonomous community in southern Spain. The region comprises eight provinces: Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga, and Sevilla, with Seville as its capital. Geographically, Andalusia stretches from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts to inland valleys and mountain ranges such as the Sierra Morena and Sierra Nevada.

Historically, Andalusia has played a central role in the Iberian Peninsula. It was part of Al-Andalus under Muslim rule from the 8th to the 15th centuries, an era that left a lasting imprint on architecture, science, and culture. In modern times, Andalusia is renowned for flamenco, regional cuisine, and significant architectural landmarks, including the Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita in Córdoba, and the royal palace complex of the Alcázar in Seville. The economy has traditionally relied on agriculture, notably olives and citrus, and has expanded through tourism, manufacturing, and services.

Language and culture in Andalusia are shaped by its dialects and traditions. Andalusian Spanish comprises a group of regional varieties with distinctive phonetic features, such as the aspiration or loss of certain consonants at word ends and regional intonations. The region is also associated with forms of music and dance, notably flamenco, which is recognized by UNESCO as a cultural heritage of humanity, reflecting its deep cultural significance.

In addition to people, the term andaluz is used for the Andalusian horse, a historic breed valued for its temperamental reliability and elegant build, often linked to broader Iberian equestrian traditions.