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Alfarnate
Municipality and town
Alfarnate 20220417.jpg
Flag of Alfarnate
Flag
Coat of arms of Alfarnate
Coat of arms
Municipal location in Málaga Province
Municipal location in Málaga Province
Alfarnate is located in Spain
Alfarnate
Alfarnate
Location in Spain
Sovereign state  Spain
Autonomous community  Andalusia
Province Flag Málaga Province.svg Málaga
Comarca Axarquía - Costa del Sol
Area
 • Total 13 sq mi (34 km2)
Elevation
3,035 ft (925 m)
Population
 (2018)
 • Total 1,105
 • Density 105.6/sq mi (40.76/km2)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Website http://www.alfarnate.es

Alfarnate is a small village in the province of Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. It is part of the Axarquía region. In 2018, about 1,105 people lived there. The village is high up, at 925 meters (about 3,035 feet) above sea level. A nearby village, Alfarnatejo, is only about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) away.

What's in a Name?

The name Alfarnate likely comes from the Arabic words Al-farnat, which means "flour mill." This makes sense because old records from the 900s show Alfarnate was a place known for making a lot of flour. You can still see two old flour mills in the nearby village of Alfarnatejo. These mills used water from a stream to work, showing how important flour production was back then.

Where is Alfarnate?

Pinar en Alfarnate
A pine forest in Alfarnate

Alfarnate is located in the northern part of the Málaga province. It's the highest village in the area, with its streets sitting at 925 meters (about 3,035 feet) above sea level. The village is completely surrounded by mountains.

These mountains include the Sierra de Camarolos to the southwest and the Sierra del Jobo to the west and northwest. The highest point in the Sierra del Jobo is Chamizo peak, which is 1,641 meters (about 5,384 feet) tall. To the north, the Sierra de Alhama has peaks like Tajo de las Palomas (1,302 m or 4,272 ft). The Sierra de Emmedio protects the town from the south, with peaks like Vilo (1,415 m or 4,642 ft) and Gallo (1,361 m or 4,465 ft).

Even though it's surrounded by tall mountains, Alfarnate sits in a valley that is over 900 meters (about 2,950 feet) high. This makes it a unique mountain village in Andalusia.

Water Sources

Alfarnate has several streams that provide water. The Palancar and Morales streams, also known as the Juan Lorca stream, meet south of the town to form the Sabar River. There are also many natural springs, like Barrionuevo, Castillejo, and Ejido, which help supply water to the village.

A Look Back in Time

Alfarnate from Santo Cristo 20220411
View of Alfarnate village from Santo Cristo hill

The area where Alfarnate is located has been home to people since prehistoric times. Scientists have found ancient tools and remains from the Mousterian period (a very old Stone Age time) near the Palancar and Morales streams. Later, during the Neolithic period (New Stone Age), people set up flint workshops around the port of Alazores. These early settlements eventually grew into the village we know today.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Alfarnate para niños

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