Ciudad+de+Granada

(View from the Alhambra)

Population:
Granada is a University city with many students coming in and out at all times of the year. It´s population can fluctate from 250,000 to 350,000 depending largely on students from other towns and countries coming to study.

Location and Altitude:
Granada´s geographical location is just where the Sierra Nevada mountains meet the Vega plain. This would have been a strategic location as the mountains were in the back and the plain, agricultural land was in the front, which is probably part of the reason why it grew. There was never a shortage of water because it came from the melting snow at the top of the mountain, and the food came from the rich soil in the Vega. It´s base is where the Darro and Geril rivers unite with each other. The altitude of Granada is 630-730 meters above sea level. It´s global coordinate positions are 37º11' N 3º36' W. Granada´s area covers about 88 square km.

Weather:
Due to Granada´s geographical location it is highly affected with climatic change.The mountain region is usually cold while the coastal, plain region is generally hot and dry.

Tourist Information:
Corral de Carbon is one of the oldest Moorish buildings in Granada. Historically the building was used as a coal store, in the 19th century, hence its name. This beautiful patio with cobbles and original Moorish fountain, is now home to the Tourist board and various craft shops. +34958225990

Brief History:
Granada's history is one of internal crises because of the existence of a powerful landowning nobility successive wars with Castile. Successive kings of Granada sought political support and military aid from Morocco. Moroccan recruits caused the kingdom to undergo an intense process of "arabisation", to cut itself off from all Castilian influences, and to develop an absolute form of government based on military support. The central government's economic resources depended mainly on the silk industry and on external trade; the latter flourished because of the fortunate position of the chief port, Málaga, on the route from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Granada paid close attention to the Strait of Gibraltar; for a whole century its rulers made efforts to secure control of the straits, allying to this end at different times with both Morocco and Castile. In 1306 Muhammad III (ruled 1302-09), then in possession of Ceuta and Gibraltar, seemed to have succeeded, but a powerful coalition soon reduced him to the modest position of vassal of the king of Castile. After 1340, when the battle of Río Salado settled the question of the straits in Castile's favour, Granada adopted a policy of isolation, taking advantage of any propitious circumstance to strengthen its land frontiers. It was in this period that Yusuf I (ruled 1333-54) and Muhammad V (ruled 1354-59 and 1362-91) finished building the Alhambra. The city's name may have been derived either from the Spanish granada, "pomegranate," a locally abundant fruit that appears on the city's coat of arms, or from its Moorish name, Karnattah (Gharnatah), possibly meaning "hill of strangers." Granada was the site of an Iberian settlement, Elibyrge, in the 5th century BC and of the Roman Illiberis. As the seat of the Moorish kingdom of Granada, it was the final stronghold of the Moors in Spain, falling to the Roman Catholic monarchs Ferdinand II and Isabella I in January 1492. Other Facts: + It is the 13th largest metropolitan district in Spain + Granada´s culture is greatly influenced by Arabian roots ( native trade, occupation, architecture, crafts) due in part to its southern european location and proximity to the mediterranean sea + it is considered the capital of the eastern part of the Andalusian region

Gastronomy:
__Granada´s cuisine:__ The excellent Andalucían cuisine is the main tradition of Granada´s dining which is heavily influenced by the Moorish gastronomy. From the high mountain ranges around Granada comes the //Jamón de trevelez//, a snow-cured ham which is perhaps the best known specialty of the region. Rabbit and goat are prepared throughout Granada as well as the brine-marinated partridge, paprika porridge, chicken with garlic, stews and flour migas (wheat flour with garlic stir fried in olive oil). There is a great variety of fish dishes such as Espetones, BBQ sardines and a fried fish platter. Also, to talk about Granada is to talk about its //Sacromonte Omelette// made of eggs, vegetables, brains and bull´s testicles. The favorite Habas Fritas con Jamón, the fried beans with cured ham represent a dish for which the region´s cuisine is famous. Summer´s star is the cold soup //gazpacho// whereas the potatoes a lo pobre is great for the cold winter. To accompany these local dishes, try the famous coast wine which is produced in limited number in the Contraviesa Sierra. Granada is well known for its bakery, whose specialties include the //piononos//, a delicate cream-filled cake soaked in a light syrup; the sweetened pumpkin; apples with wild blackberries; and chestnut soup. Fresh fruits such as the custard apples, papayas, mangoes, persimmons and pineapples are also excellent as postprandial wrap-ups. __Tapas:__ A tapa is a small portion of food which you receive when you buy a drink. To give the customers tapas is a universal Spanish custom throughout Spain, and it is especially popular in Granada since they´re free with your drink. They can vary from just a few nuts or a small dish of olives to almost a mini meal in itself. It represents a very healthy way of drinking because as you drink you eat. It is normal to only stay in each tapas bar for one or two drinks so you may visit a whole series of bars during an evening. In some tapas bars you can choose which tapa to have whereas in other bars they have a set list of tapas which you get according to which round of tapas you are on.

What to do in the City:
+ Visit for scenic attractions + Moorish architecture, Muslim architecture + Bullfighting (mostly in summer) + Tearooms + Arab Baths + Churches, cathedral + Alhambra + Moorish citadel + District of Albaicín + Palace of Charles V (constructed during Spanish renaissance) + Cave dwellings in Sacromonte hill and settled by ancient gypsies + Costa tropical + Plaza Mariana De Pineda + Plaza Bib Rambla + Plaza Nueva

[[image:corpus_cristi2.jpg width="161" height="228" align="left"]]Festivals:
+ **Corpus cristi Fair** - One of the most popular and most joyful festivals is the Corpus Cristi Fair, Granada. The Corpus Cristi Fair, Granada is a festival that is celebrated once every year in the city of Granada in Spain. The Corpus Cristi Fair, Granada is synonymous with revelry and fanfare not just with locals, but also with all visitors filtering into the city of Granada during the time. The Corpus Cristi Fair in Granada is hosted in the months between May and June annually. The Corpus Cristi Fair, Granada is not just a festive occasion, but also an occasion where the social values of the city of Granada are brought to the forefront. Much of the social practices and ethnic norms can be seen up front. Some of the basic things that you can witness during the Corpus Cristi Fair, Granada is a display of traditional Andalusian clothes, parades and horse drawn carriages decked in festive finery. It can easily be said that the Corpus Cristi Fair, Granada is the grandest and most large scale festival of its kind celebrated in the city of Granada. Also, a unique feature of the Corpus Cristi Fair, Granada is the bullfights that are held; especially since bullfighting is an integral part of the identity of the entire country of Spain. + **Festival of the Reconquest -** One of the most famous festivals in the city of Granada is the Festival Of The Reconquest, Granada. This Festival Of The Reconquest, Granada is celebrated on the 2nd of the months of January. The Catholic monarchs are primary institutions that celebrate this festival. The Festival Of The Reconquest, Granada is in fact the celebration of the liberation of the city of Granada. Prior to its liberation, the city of Granada was under the reign of the Moors. The festival Of The Reconquest, Granada is very colorful and exciting. Thousands of people from various corners of the world come to visit the city of Granada in Spain. Many of these tourists especially come to watch the colorful Festival Of The Reconquest, Granada and enjoy the flavor of this festival. The Festival Of The Reconquest, Granada is really very amazing and reflects the traditional and cultural aspects of the city. + **Festival of Crosses -** This festival takes place on the third of the month of May. Granada is not only famous among the local people of the city if Granada, but also among the people of the entire country of Spain. You must never miss the opportunity to enjoy the flavor of the Festivals Of Crosses, Granada while traveling through the city in Spain. In this colorful festival, the crosses are created with various types of colorful flowers and then these are put on the roads of the city. The courtyards of every house in the city of Granada are also decorated with flowers. The whole city looks like a bride that day. Everywhere you will only see different types of colorful flowers. At every step in the streets of Granada the flower made crosses are kept and the city become truly very beautiful. + **Hocus Pocus Festival -** Among the various festivals that take place throughout the year in the city of Granada, the Hocus Pocus Festival, Granada is the most popular and most fascinating one. Hocus Pocus Festival in Granada is a festival that is celebrated once in every year. The festival is very colorful and the local people in the city of Granada wear traditional dresses and the whole atmosphere become very colorful and exciting. Different types of magic shows are hosted during the Hocus Pocus Festival, Granada. Hocus Nights is one among these magic shows an it is a very popular magic show that is organized not only for the publics and tourists, but also for the professionals of the city of Granada. The Hocus Pocus Festival, Granada brings an entire world of magic in the city and the whole city becomes very cheerful during the festival. Different types of lectures, workshops and various other interesting programs are performed during the Hocus Pocus Festival, Granada. Great magicians from different parts of the world come to participate in the magic shows that are held during the festival. Primarily, from Italy, France, England, USA etc countries magicians visit the city of Granada during the Hocus Pocus Festival, Granada. + **Holy Week -** Holy Week in Granada is one of the most exciting and colorful festivals of the city. The Holy Week in Granada has also been announced as a holiday in the city of Granada. The festival is very famous not only among the local people of the city of Granada, but also among the tourists. Thousands of people from the various corners of the world come to visit this beautiful city of Granada and if they are lucky enough, the can also enjoy the flavor of the Holy Week, Granada. The festival, Holy Week, Granada is primarily based on Christmas. In the middle of the Holy Week, on Wednesday, a procession if arranged and this is a very popular feature of the festival. His procession is known as “Christ of the Gypsies”. It is also sometimes called the “Christ of Sacromonte”. Not only this, some other processions also take place during this festival of Holy Week, Granada. These are the procession of silence, the procession of Las Anguastias and so on. The procession of silence takes place on the Thursday of the Holy Week. This procession is started in the middle of the night. On the other hand, the procession of Las Anguastias is held on the Saturday of the Holy Week, Granada. + **Festival of the Virgen De Las Angustias -** Festival Of The Virgen De Las Angustias in Granada is hosted once in a year in the city of Granada in Spain. The festival Of The Virgen De Las Angustias, Granada is celebrated on the concluding Sunday of the month of September every year. Festival Of The Virgen De Las Angustias, Granada centers round the patron saint of Granada. The Festival Of The Virgen De Las Angustias, Granada is not just a local festival, but it is also a celebration of the traditional and cultural values. Different types of the social practices and customs can be observed in this festive occasion. Some of these things that you can enjoy during the Festival Of The Virgen De Las Angustias, Granada are open-air dances, bullfights, various colorful processions and so on. Local people wear traditional dresses during this festival. So the entite environment becomes very colorful and exciting. You must never miss the opportunity to observe the Festival Of The Virgen De Las Angustias, Granada while visiting the beautiful city of Granada in Spain.