Málaga's coastline forms part of the Costa del Sol, a special part of the Mediterranean. The climate is temperate, and the mean temperature is 2200 C - from 16 to 19000 in winter. This is due to the mountains that protect the coast from cold north winds. Málaga was first a Phoenician colony and later came under the control of the Greeks, Carthaginians, Visigoths, Arabs and Christians.

Today it is a maritime city rich in culture, some of whose remains are on view at the Archeological Museum. The friendly people and wonderful climate also encourage a stroll through the old walls and the remains of the Muslim palaces of the Alcazaba fortress; through its gardens next to the sea - they are adorned with palm and orange trees and jacaranda - and on to discover the house where Picasso was born, there on the wide, lively Plaza de la Merced. Or take in the view of the city from the top of the Gibralfaro Castle.

Málaga is also the name of the province in Andalucia which includes not just the city of Málaga but much fine mountain and coastal scenery and towns like Marbella, Antequera, Mijas and Ronda.

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