Andalucia is one of the warmest regions of Europe. It has a temperate, Mediterraneanclimate with hot, dry summers and mild winters with irregular rainfall. If there is one feature characteristic of the Andalucian environment, it is the light, a direct result of the great number of hours of sunlight, which marks the cheerful natureand hospitality of the Andalusians.

There are few places in the world that can boast the wealth of so many natural and man made wonders in such a compact area. The wonderful legacy of Muslim Palaces, Gothic cathedrals, Baroque churches and mansions and Renaissance forts, towns and hill villages. Also, a myriad of castles, some of which are in the most dramatic of locations.

This collection of environments forms a blend of tourist offers, which range from the monumental glory of the big towns to the traditional nature of small villages, a continual source of inspiration for all types of artists. Nowadays, Andalucia is a modern community, equipped with a great infrastructure that knows how to welcome its visitors, and which, despite being conscious of moving with the times, takes great pains to maintain its roots and to look after its important cultural and monumental patrimony.

The diversity, size and ecological wealth of the Andalucian territory bringtogether the snow covered peaks Sierra Nevada, extensive wetlands, thick, shady forests, volcanic deserts and stretches of coast barely touched by human activity. More than 18% of the region´s territory is protected by a vast network of Natural Sites, Parks and Reserves (more than 80), which puts Andalucia at the head of all of the autonomous communities of Spain in the defence of its environmental heritage. Andalucia covers 17.3% of Spanish territory, 87,268 km in total, making it the largest single region, with an area greater than countries such as Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland.

This collection of environments forms a blend of offers, which range from the monumental glory of the big towns to the traditional nature of small villages, a continual source of inspiration for all types of artists. Nowadays, Andalucia is a modern community, equipped with a great infrastructure that knows how to welcome its visitors, and which, despite being conscious of moving with the times, takes great pains to maintain its roots and to look after its important cultural and monumental patrimony.

In Andalucia, distracting oneself, learning, exercising, enjoying nature, resting or just passing the time agreeably in a peaceful environment are options that are within the reach of any Resident/visitor. Furthermore, Andalucia´s network of spas and holistic centres provides the opportunity to look after one´s health.

There is a wide range of sports facilities in Andalucia. Sierra Nevada (Granada), host of the 1996 World Ski Championships, is Europe´s southernmost ski resort. The Costa del Sol boasts the highest density of golf courses in Europe, many designed by celebrities such as Gary Player or Severiano Ballesteros, among others. There is also an abundance of well equipped public and private tennis courts.