Almijara, that conforms the Natural Park of the same name and arrives in cascade to the Coast. To the west, the foothills of the Natural Park of the mountains of Málaga and the mountain area delimit it from the Region of Antequera and from the capital of Málaga. This location allows that in only 40 km in straight line goes from the 2060 meters of its highest top at the Natural Park to the sea level at the Costa del Sol. Therefore its orography is very different, from a rough mountainous area of Mediterranean forest, to the lands ridged in cascade of its intermediate zone, and of course the coast where the mouth of its river creates an important cultivable area. The weather, the altitude, and the availability of water form different areas and landscapes, products, patrimony, enclaves and so on…

The agricultural tradition of the Region and the difficulty of communications forced the creation of small groups of population, mainly in the inner land. This area comprises 694 km2, 26 small municipalities and 49 smaller groups. At the same time this area has the most scenic and environmental interest, it has the greater richness of historical and artistic heritage and a great dependence on a more and more marginal agriculture.

The five remaining municipalities and its 18 dependant population groups are on the coast line, with a surface of 331 km2, where the bulk of the population is concentrated, as well as the business activity of the Region. These towns have the greater volume of population, as well as the more significant agricultural capacity.

The average altitude of the Region is 391 ms. Even though this is a high average, it’s not uncertain that the identity of the Region is formed by a territory where in only few kilometers it goes from the 2.068 ms of altitude at the highest top, to the sea level. The orographic component is therefore the main characteristic of the zone.

We enjoy Mediterranean climate with an average temperature of about 17º. This component is a key element of the agronomic and landscaping interest in the Region, as well as basic source of its resources.

According to the latest information available, the population of the zone is 161.231 inhabitants, being Vélez-Málaga the most populous, with a population of over 60.000 inhabitants.

DEFINITION OF RESOURCES OF THE REGION

The resources of the region are strongly dependent on the traditional environment (mainly raisins, oil and goats) influenced by the CAP and free trade agreements with third countries, which require a continous process of adaptation to the conditions set by the EU, and very influenced by environmental conditions, by maintenance of the biodiversity of the area and by its climatic and orographic components.

Spaces with environmental protection, that improve the structure and territorial ordination arised from the declaration of Natural Park, and the opportunities that the controlled use of these resources bring (touristic, cinegetic, leisure activities, sport activities, scientific and so on)

Landscape quality and rural and cultural resources are very important in an area where in about 1.000 km2 there are 31 municipalities and more than 60 small groups of population and where in less than 45 km. in straight line it goes from an altitude of 2.060 m to the sea level. This landscape and heritage richness plus the climatic factor, is a very important component that brings to the Region many opportunities to another sectors, like the touristic and residential ones.

In summary, it’s the land and environmental component (climatic, landscaping, orographic, etc…) the one that sets out the guidelines on the area’s resources and its potential, on this base is feasible the development of different activities, such as tourism, residential, leisure, sports, food, utilities, commercial, ecological, agricultural, and so on.

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE REGION


It has 5 different areas:

•  North-eastern zone, fully indentified with the Natural Park of Sierras Tejeda and Almijara, with amazing views towards the coastline, mainly around Sierra de Almijara, and being in its low part influenced by growings related with grapevine for drying grapes and olive groves. These cultivations play an important role against the erosive effect caused by torrential rains.
• North-western zone, mainly for the cereal growing, very mountainous and with a great landscaping quality as an intermediate zone between the natural parks of Montes de Málaga and Sierras de Tejeda y Almijara.

• Central zone, where there are the major part of small rural communities dedicated to the cultivation of grapevine for drying and the mountainous olive grove. It’s the nearest area to the Natural Park, and it has a lot of landscaping resources around the Viñuela Reservoir.
• Area of fertile lowland, considered like that the banks of the rivers that flow into the sea (mainly, River Vélez, River Algarrobo, River Torrox, and River Chillar, as well as the streams that flow into the coast), that it’s characterized for an intensive agriculture in horticulture, an early one, due to the climatic characteristics of the area and also for the production of subtropical fruits.
• Seacoast, identified with the big towns, as well with the development of the residential, touristic and service sectors.