Ojén facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ojén
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 Ojén
Location in Spain
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| Sovereign state |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  Andalusia |
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| Province |  Málaga |
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| Area | ||
| • Total | 85.92 km2 (33.17 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 309 m (1,014 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 3,568 | |
| • Density | 41.527/km2 (107.554/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
Ojén is a small town and municipality in southern Spain. It has about 5,045 people living there. Ojén is nestled in the mountains right behind the city of Marbella. It is part of the Andalusia region.
Nearby towns include Mijas to the east, Marbella to the south, Istán to the west, and Monda and Coín to the north.
Contents
Exploring Ojén: History and Location
Ojén has an interesting name. It comes from an old Arabic word, hoxán. This word means "rough" or "bitter place." It's a bit strange that people built a town in a place they might not have liked!
Ojén's Unique History
After the Reconquista, which was when Christians took back Spain from the Moors, many Moors were not allowed to live near the sea. But Ojén was different. Like other villages further inland, such as Istán, Ojén allowed Moors to stay.
Where is Ojén Located?
The town sits next to the Almadán stream. It is above the valley of the River Real. Ojén is about 200 meters (about 656 feet) above sea level. It is surrounded by two mountain ranges: the Sierra Blanca and the Sierra Alpujata.
These mountains might explain why the Moors stayed. Both mountain ranges were known for having many valuable minerals. These included talc, nickel, iron, and lead. This rich supply of minerals helped the area become important during Spain's industrial revolution in the 1800s.
Nature and Adventure in Ojén
Close to Ojén, in the Serranía de Ronda mountains, you can find the Refugio de Juanar. This place was once a private hunting lodge for a rich family called Larios. Even King Alfonso XIII liked to visit it.
Now, the Refugio de Juanar is a hotel. It is popular with tourists and people who enjoy hunting. The Serranía area is still a big hunting reserve. You can find animals like ibex (a type of wild goat), wildcats, and eagles there.
The mountains are also a favorite spot for hikers and ramblers. They come to enjoy the fresh mountain air. From high up, they can see amazing views of Marbella and the coast. The coast is about 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet) below!
Ojén's Famous Liqueur
Ojén is well-known for making a special drink called Aguardiente de Ojén. People often just call it "ojen" (pronounced "OH-hen"). This drink is an anise liqueur. Anise is a plant that tastes a bit like licorice.
This liqueur used to be a very important part of the town's economy. Today, a company called Dominique Mertens Impex. S.L. makes it locally. The drink became famous in other countries. It is especially popular in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States. People there enjoy it during the Mardi Gras celebrations.
See also
In Spanish: Ojén para niños
