The fifth most populated city in Spain, Malaga is situated along the flood plain formed, over the centuries, by the sediments of the Guadalhorce and Guadalmedina rivers. The city looks out over the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Although it is on the whole a modern city, it still retains considerable traces of its glorious past and numerous important landmarks of great historical and artistic importance. The Guadalmedina river cuts the city in two: the more recently constructed districts are situated on the right side of the river, while the historical centre and the more ancient quarters are located on the opposite bank.

Together with its flourishing port and shipbuilding yards, Malaga draws its wealth from its iron, steel and metalwork industries. These are able to exploit the considerable amount of raw materials extracted by the area's thriving mining industry, while the surrounding vineyards produce high quality local wines (sweet wine, "Maestro" wine, red wine, "Arrope" wine - a concentrated grape syrup and "Vino de color") all made from the highly prized Pedro Ximenez grapes.

Founded by the Phoenicians, under Carthaginian domination Malaca gradually developed near the Greek colony of Menace. Conquered by the Romans in 205 BC, it first became a Civitas foederata and then later, under the rule of Vespasian, became the Municipium Flavium. In the second half of the 1C AD with the proclamation of the Lex Flavia municipalis Malacae it was awarded the town charter. After it had been conquered by the Visigoths and later by the Arabs, it became the capital of one of the kingdoms of Taifas.

In 1487 it was conquered by the "Catholic Kings" (the title earned by Ferdinand II and his wife, Queen Isabella of Castile); the rebellions of the Moriscos took place here in the 16C. Damaged by an English bombardment (1656), it was then captured by the French in 1810. The loyalist troops suffered defeat here during the time of the Civil War (1937). The city is also well-known as the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.

Malaga International Airport (8,5 million passengers in 1999). Most european cities within 2-3 hours flying time. Highway and railway network with excellent connections with the rest of Andalucía, Spain and Europe. Málaga Harbor:One of the biggest harbors in Spain. Málaga offers sunny and hot weather in June, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30C (77 to 86F)