The Region Alhama de Granada
The Nature of Alhama
The landscape is defined by the contrasts and the varieties of natural environments. Places where resinous pines, cork-trees and white-oak trees house the emblematic ibex, the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon and the goshawk. A natural environment that integrates perfectly the Arab flavoured villages like Alhama de Granada, Arenas del Rey and Jayena. The south west is the most mountainous and steep area where we find the Tajos de Alhama, impressive vertical walls topped by the town of Alhama de Granada, but also the Tajos of Cacin are worth a visit. Alhama is characterized by the environmental richness of the Natural Park Sierras de Tejada, Almijara and Alhama, whose summits make a natural border between the provinces of Malaga and Granada.
The History of Alhama
From the Middle Paleolithic to the present the lands of the region have been occupied by prehistoric tribes, Iberians, Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims. The remains of Neanderthalers were found in the Cueva del Boquete de Zafarraya and are the most impotant traces. Alhama was the key to the capital of the last kingdom of the Al-Andalus. White villages with narrow streets built around old alcazabas or castles to defend the border from the Christian attacks. An earthquake in 1884 in this region, has destroyed a lot of historic buildings (aside from the many deaths). The main historic buildings have been restored in Alhama de Granada itself.
The Climate of Alhama
In Alhama de Granada, the climate is warm and temperate. The winter months are much rainier than the summer months. The average annual temperature is 14.4 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is 540 mm. The driest month is July. There is 6 mm of precipitation in July. Most of the precipitation here falls in November, averaging 74 mm. With an average of 23.9 °C, July is the warmest month. January is the coldest month, with temperatures averaging 6.5 °C.
(Source: Climate-Data.org)
The Food of Alhama
Alhama has given its cuisine exceptional products, "olla jameña" is a typical excellence dish which is due to the quality of their beans among them stands out chickpeas and lentils. Also plates with pork sausages, baby goat, lamb, cheese, wine and a varied assotment of cakes are examples of its rich cuisine. In Alhama, the old traditional way of cooking and preserving food has been enriched with new adaptations, among which are the almond paste which is originating in Alhama, its extraordinary extra virgin olive oil, or new wines which have been protected by Designation of Origin Certainly.
(Source: Turismo de Alhama de Granada)
The Situation of Alhama de Granada
The Poniente Granadino district extends from the west end of Granada. Mountain ranges, valleys, fertile plains and countryside form a rich and diverse landscape that borders with the western mountains and with the Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama ranges. The ragion has no highway, but the roads are in good condicion.
