Torre+del+mar

Population:
15,000 inhabitants. Though the number increases to 150,000 from June to September.

Location and Altitude:
Globally it is located at 36° 45' 0N, 4° 4' 60W and has a 7 km radius. It is situated on the Málaga coast, 28 km east of the city. It lies in a sedimentary plain surrounded by fields of crops. Torre del Mar has an altitude of 435 meters.

Weather:
Sub-tropical climate: moderate and comparatively dry. Temperatures in July and August often reach into the mid 30’s (˚C). Even in winter temperatures only drop to daily highs of around 20˚C.

Tourist Information Center:
Oficina de Turismo Avda, de Andalucía, 119

Brief History:
Torre del Mar is one of the main touristic resorts of the Costa del Sol. Located in the eastern part of the Coast, the town is the beach resort of **Vélez-Málaga**, capital of the Axarquia region. There are unsubstantiated claims that Torre del Mar once formed part of an ancient Greek settlement known as Manake which is believed to have been destroyed by the Carthaginians, prior to the arrival of the Romans. These days the town is better known for its four kilometres of sandy beaches lined with restaurants, bars and apartments; the latter primarily catering for summer visitors. Between the 12th and 16th centuries, many authors such as Idrisi, Albufeda, Ibn Battuta or Abd al-Basit spoke of the importance of its trading activities. It was off Torre del Mar that one of the most important and cruel battles of the war of Succession took place in 1704 when the powerful Franco-Spanish navy confronted the Anglo-Dutch naval forces with a total of 146 ships and 46,820 men. Years later during the War of Independence, when the invading French troops were retreating in 1813, their artillery destroyed the town´s walls in an act of vengeance.

Gastronomy:
As for the pleasures of the palate, gastronomy in Torre de Mar has particular features. A certain exotic air provided by the use of sub-torpoical products helps in offering many types of dishes especially of fish and casseroles of rice and pumpkin. Torre del Mar also offers some of the best out-of-season fruits such as kiwi, mangos, and avocados.

Festivals:
+ Año Nuevo - January 1st + Fiesta de sus majestatdes los Reyes Magos de Oriente- January 6th + Día de Andalucía- February 28th + Carnaval- February or March + Fiesta Internacional del Trabajador- May 1st + Fiesta de San juan- June 24th + Fiestas de las Melosas en Torre del Mar- 15th to 16th of July + Feria de Caleta de Vélez- July 5th- 7th + **Virgen del Carmen**- July 16th. This includes a candle ceremony and maritime procession of Sea Virgen del Carmen. + Feria de Santiago y Santa Ana- July 22nd- 26th + Día de la Hispanidad- October 12th + Día de los Santos Difuntos- November 1st + **Saint Andres**- November. Celebration of the patron saint of Torre del mar. They pay homage to their Virgen of Anguish. + Spanish Constitution Day- December 6th + December 25th- Christmas

Museums/Monuments/Places to see:
+ Tuscan Towers + Iglesia de San Andres + Town´s original lighthouse