Province of Almería facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Almería
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| Province of Almería Provincia de Almería (Spanish) |
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Map of Spain with highlighted
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| Country | Spain | ||
| Autonomous community |  Andalusia |
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| Capital | Almería | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 8,774.87 km2 (3,388.00 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | Ranked 27th | ||
| Population
(2014)
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| • Total | 701,688 | ||
| • Rank | Ranked 24th | ||
| • Density | 79.96563/km2 (207.11003/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Spanish: Almeriense, Urcitano | ||
| Official language(s) | Spanish | ||
| Parliament | Cortes Generales | ||
| Website | dipalme.org | ||
Almería is a beautiful province in Spain, located in the southern part of the country. It's part of a region called Andalusia. Almería shares its borders with the provinces of Granada and Murcia, and it also has a long coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. The main city and capital of this province is also called Almería.
The province of Almería covers an area of about 8,774 square kilometers. In 2014, around 701,688 people lived there. This means it has a population density of about 80 people per square kilometer. Almería is divided into 102 smaller areas called municipalities.
Contents
Exploring Almería's Geography
Almería has some amazing natural features. The Sierra de Los Filabres is a mountain range that stretches for about 50 kilometers. It's one of the highest points in the province.
Europe's Driest Area
Did you know that Almería is home to the driest area in Europe? This very dry landscape is part of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. Because of its desert-like look and sunny weather, Almería has been a popular place for filming movies.
Almería's Film History
Many famous Western films were shot here, especially in the 1960s. Filmmakers even built special Western towns near the Tabernas Desert for their movies! Some of the classic films made here include A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Later, 800 Bullets was also filmed in the same spot. Other big movies like Conan the Barbarian (1982 film), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Lawrence of Arabia, and Patton also used Almería's unique landscapes.
Rivers and Water Sources
The main river in the province is the Andarax River. It flows near Granada in the Alpujarras region. To help with farming, the Beninar Reservoir near Darrical collects water. This water is very important for the many greenhouses in the area.
Amazing Animals of Almería
Almería is home to some special and unique animals. Unfortunately, some of these species, especially those found in the Alto Almanzora region, are currently at risk of disappearing. Protecting these animals is very important.
Almería's Economy and Industries
The economy of Almería is quite interesting, with a few main activities that help the province thrive.
Greenhouse Farming
The most important economic activity in Almería is greenhouse farming. Imagine huge areas covered with greenhouses! Millions of tons of fresh vegetables are grown here every year. These vegetables are then sent to other countries in Europe and all around the world. This type of farming is known as intensive farming.
Tourism in Sunny Almería
Tourism is also a very important part of Almería's economy. People love to visit because of the sunny weather and beautiful places along the coast. Popular tourist spots include Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce, Almerimar, Mojacar, Vera, and the stunning Cabo de Gata area.
Local Industries
Almería has a strong industry, especially in the Macael area, also known as the Comarca del Marmol. This region is famous for its marble quarries. These quarries, found in the Sierra de los Filabres mountains, produce over 1.3 million tons of marble!
The towns of Cantoria, Fines, Olula del Rio, and Purchena in the Alto Almanzora valley are growing fast. They are becoming important centers for processing marble, which is then sold both locally and internationally. The demand for marble in construction and tourism across Spain has led to many modern factories in these areas. Small farming villages have transformed into places with advanced computer-controlled machinery.
Research and Innovation
Almería is also a place for important scientific research.
Calar Alto Observatory
The German-Spanish Calar Alto Observatory is one of the most important observatories in Spain. Scientists use it to study stars and galaxies.
Solar Energy Research
In Tabernas, there is a special research center focused on solar energy. It's called the Plataforma Solar de Almería (PSA). Here, scientists work on new ways to use the sun's power.
Michelin Research Center
The famous French company Michelin also has an industrial research center in Cabo de Gata. They likely work on new technologies related to their products there.
Images for kids
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Greenhouses near El Ejido.
See also
In Spanish: Provincia de Almería para niños
