AGI-ServiTurismo (Carboneras) - 55 Paseo Maritimo 04140 CARBONERAS/ALMERIA - Tel: (0034) 950 13 10 13

Carboneras (Cabo de Gata) - The region

Carboneras is a town in the province of Almeria in Andalusia (Spain) 7,500 inhabitants. It covers 95 km² with a density of 76.5 people per km². Its geographical coordinates are 36 º 60 'N, 1 º 53' W. It is situated at an altitude of 10 meters and is 68 kilometers from the provincial capital, Almería. It is famous for its seawater desalination plant, the largest in Europe, its Christian and Moors festivals, and the controversial hotel El Algarrobico.

In the area there are the beaches of El Lancon and Los Barquicos and the small rocky island of San Andrés can be seen from all along Carboneras beach. With its 1.5 hectares, it is said that the silhouette of the island in the horizon looks like a whale. Many dives are offered by the club los Branquias around the island almost all year round. At the mouth of the river Alias, on the coast of Carboneras and inside the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar a series of untouched beaches can be found. One of them is the 3 km long beach of Algarrobico, where the filming of "Lawrence of Arabia" took place.

Other beaches in the city are the beaches of El Corral and Los Muertos in the middle of the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. They are formations of volcanic rock shaped by wind and sea, and are nudist beaches. South of the village, following along the coast, lies the lighthouse and the tower of Mesa Roldán, built in the eighteenth century. Towards the south-east we come to Nijar beach and the village Aguamarga.

Carboneras is the village for relaxation: you can walk in the streets in the late afternoon after a beautiful day on the beach; have a drink and tapas with friends in the many city bars; walk around the Sorbas and its shops; visit the fishing port (where a marina will soon be created); go diving, go for beautiful hikes; go for outings on horseback through the center of Agua Amarga; play petanque on the promenade with Francis, Julian, Serge, Charly and the regulars from the club; eat pancakes, waffles, donuts, sandwiches, hamburgers with our French friends right next to the agency (a little publicity cannot go amiss!).

We wish you a pleasant stay in Carboneras!!!

CABO DE GATA NATURAL PARK

The Cabo de Gata Natural Park occupies 29,000 ha of the western Gulf of Almeria. It extends from east to west, from Carboneras del Algarrobico beach up to the Rambla del Agua in Retamar. The mountain "Cabo de Gata", of volcanic origin, has spectacular geological formations (natural formations composed of volcanic craters, basalt columns, oolithic rock fossils etc. ...).

The maritime area of the Nature Park covers one nautical mile (1851.82 m) and almost 45 kilometers of coastline, representing a total of 12,200 ha. It was declared a Natural Park in 1987 and Biosphere Reserve in 1997.

The water remains around an average temperature of 17.1°C (25°C in July, August and September), which is certainly the highest of the peninsula, and has a thermic amplitude of 7.5°C. This is caused by the high summer temperatures and by a strange yet persistant high pressure micro-climate which sets in during the first few days of December and mid-January, when the temepratures reach their lowest, causing sunny weather and calm seas (the ice sea) which sailors call “oily” or “white sea” due to the optical effect of the reflections. The cristal waters mean it is an exceptional and highly protected marine area (there are five marine resreves in the park).

The waters are the cleanest in the Mediterranean, with an average visibility of 16 metres, but in the rocks and in the best conditions, this can reach up to 20 meters.

General

Climate

Average temperatures are about 19.9 °, and annual rainfall is about 194mm (the lowest in Europe). The average annual sunshine is 3000 hours (326 in summer). This means that animals and plants have had to adapt to these arid conditions and are accustomed to survive long periods without water. The climate of the region is very close to that of North Africa and the Middle East, and peak doughts occur in the desert of Tabernas, where several western movies were filmed. The rain falls during about two weeks each year. It may happen that 40% of the annual average rainwater is collected in a single day. However, in summer the evening temperatures are often fresh, so do not forget to take some sweaters.

The water

It is only in recent years that running water came into our villages. Ancients used to recover rainwater in Aljibes (underground tanks). This water is highly mineralized and it is better not to drink it but it can be safely used for cooking, washing dishes, showering, etc ... It is advisable to use tablets for hard water areas in washing machines. Please do not forget that the region lies in a semi-barren region: less than 200 mm of rainfall per year, so it is better not to waste it.

Shopping

Fresh fish: in general not on Mondays (the fishermen rest over the weekend). Two supermarkets offer a choice of fresh fish throughout the year: EL ARBOL to Campohermoso and MERCADONA in Carboneras.

Markets: feel like vegetables and fresh produce? You are in the heart of farming country! Tuesday morning: Almeria, Wednesday morning: Nijar, Thursday morning: Carboneras, Saturday morning: Cabo de Gata, Sunday morning, San Isidro and San Jose (summer only).

Finally, if you want to go shopping in a bigger supermarket, you can always go to Almeria (fifty kilometers away), where you will find a CARREFOUR supermarket and the commercial center Mediterraneo (Auchan)

Souvenirs

This region is the heart of ceramics (craft or industrial) and jarapas (a kind of carpet made of cotton plain or colored) production. Nijar is the best place to buy some souvenirs. In addition the village is a lovely place to visit. Downtown you'll easily find stores that offer a multitude of articles (several kinds of woven baskets, vases, mugs, ceramic sets, beautiful lamps, candle holders, leather bags, tea cups, various garments. .. and very nice Turkish-style slippers).

SOME SMALL IDEAS FOR YOUR STAY:

Take the opportunity to visit Granada and the Alhambra (2 hours away by toll-free motorway, book tickets for Alhambra in advance); the Alpujarras; cool your feet in the river Rio Nacimiento; admire the Tabernas Desert and its zoo and visit the former filming locations of many Westerns (Lawrence of Arabia, Once Upon a Time in the West, For a Few Dollars More, etc. ...); The Sorbas Caves; the typical beach-side village of Agua Amarga and its shops; go browse around the welcoming store Agua Marina, where they offer beautiful sarongs, a collection of stones, jewelry ... ; also take the time to visit Rodalquilar village and its botanical garden.

Otherwise, you can also bask on the beach, before taking a small well deserved bathe.