Difference between revisions of "Andalusia" - New World Encyclopedia

**Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía**
	85px
Flag	Coat of arms
	Motto: Andalucía por sí, para España y la humanidad; (Andalusia by herself, for Spain, and for humankind)
	Anthem: La bandera blanca y verde
Capital	Seville
Official language(s)	Spanish
Area; – Total; – % of Spain	Ranked 2nd; 87,268 km²; 17.2%
Population; – Total (2006); – % of Spain; – Density	Ranked 1st; 7,975,672; 17.84; 91.39/km²
Demonym; – English; – Spanish	; Andalusian; Andaluz, andaluza
Statute of Autonomy	December 30 1981
Parliamentary; representation; – Congress seats; – Senate seats	; ; 62; 40
President	Manuel Chaves González (PSOE)
ISO 3166-2	AN
	Junta de Andalucía

Revision as of 02:55, 18 November 2007

Alamillo Bridge, Seville designed by Santiago Calatrava

Malecón of La Caleta, Cádiz

Andalusia, located in the southern portion of Spain, is one of the seventeen autonomous regions of the country. It contains eight distinct provinces, all with indivual cultural traditions and identity. With eight provinces : Almeria, Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaen, Malaga, Seville , Andalusia boasts the largest population of any of the autonomous Spanish states. In terms of land mass, Andalusia is the second largest of the autonomous regions of Spain, second only to the region of Castilla y Leon.

Andlusia lies to the south of Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha, meeting the Mediterranean Sea on its southern border. It's eastern neighbor is the autonomous community of Murcia, while the country of Portugal lies along its western border. Past Portugal to the west lies the Atlantic Ocean. Andulalusia also conveninently located along the strait og Gilbraltar, the passsage between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The prime position along the strait was also recognized by Great Britain, who controls a small area of land bordering Andalsia.

Geography

The terrain of Andalusia varies greatly depending on the area of the region. Towards the coast the terrain descends into the famous beaches of Spain, notable for their fine sands and constant sun. The weather along the coast is also far more temperate than the interior of the region, another reason that attracts the tourists. The beach, however, is not the only the only reason toursits flock to Andalusia. The mountains are also spectacular, and they most a unique combination of plant life and wildlife.

The main geographic feature of the region is the Andalusian Plain, which runs from the Sierra Morena in the north to the Sistema Penibetico in the south. The plain is fundamentally a large river valley that surrounds the Rio Guadlquivir, and it broadens whenever possible. The valley reaches its narrowest point where the Sierra Morena and the Sistema Penibetico meet int eh eastern portion of the region. Minor valley are also common in Andalusia, although none rival the breath and size of the Andalusian Plain.

Economy

Andalusia is particularly rich in natural resources, but, despite this fact, Andalusia continues to have one of the lowest GDP per capita in Spain . The economic difficulties of the region are commonly attributed to poor soil conditions. With rocky soil throughout the state and a subtropical climate, Andalusia is agriculturally comparable to North Africa. Major agriculural products of the region include olive oil and wine, whose production levels are gradually increasing with increasing mechanization. The natural wealth of the region is found in its mineral deposits, particularly copper, iron, zinc, and lead. These minerals have been drawn from the region since Phoenician and Roman times.

While the agricultural portions of the economy continue to struggle, the service sector is becoming a significant part of the national product of Andalusia. Manufacturing and service sectors are growing exponentially, with the growth rates in Andalusia exceeding those found elsewhere in Spain. High growth rates in the service sector are expected to continue, especially as tourism becomes more prominent in the area.

History

The earliest records of settled civilization in Andalusia describe colonial occupation in Pre-Roman times. In the early 12th century B.C.E. the Phoenician empire formed colonies along the coast to help with trade. The settlement founded by the Phoenicians was called Tartessos, which later rose to become a major political force in the region.

The colonies of the Phoenicians eventually declined in power following the dissolution of the Phoenician empire. The next major political force to emerge in the regian was the city of Carthage, whose emphasis on trade gave the straits of Gibraltor and the Andalusia region economic importance. As a trading center, Carthage saw the economic value of controlling the strait, and began a campaign to gain control of the region. Between the first and second Carthaginian wars, Carhage extended its power over Andalusia, using the coast to launch many of its invasions into Roman territory. Carthage, however, was unsucessful in its campaign against Rome. With the decline of Carthage, Andalusia remained for a brief period without a strong political identity. Rome stepped in to fill the power vacuum, renaming the area Betica.

Roman control over the area did not last long, with the area briefly falling under the control of the Vandals. As the Vandals passed through the region on their way to North Africa, they took control of Andalusia. Following their brief occupation, the Visigoths took control, only to be replaced by Muslim rule in the early 8th centuey C.E. The Muslim invasion proved to be an extrememly influential action in the formation of a distinct Andalusian identity. Under Muslim rule, Andalusia became an extrememly wealthy and influential political force that actively cultivated scholarship and advances in medicine.

In 1248 C.E. Seville fell to Castilian rule. After the fall of Seville, the Andalusia region became to experience a large influx of Moors who were fleeing the Reconquista. The Moorish influx contributed significantly to the Andalusian culture that is apparent today. Moorish influences were particularly strong in architecture, with prominent examples found at the Alhambra and the Giralda towers.

Andalusia began its own distict political force in 1978, when the Spanish constitution established historical nationalities. Historical nationalities in Spain, like Andalusia, were granted a special, autonomous status that was based on the idea that the area contained a specific nationality. Another major idea behind historical nationalites was their supposed independence from Spain as a whole. Under this idea Historical Nationalies were areas that were considered culturally independent prior to the second Spanish War. Andalusia is one of only four such regions in Spain, with the other historical nationaties found in Catalonia, Basque, and Galicia. Many other communities in Spain were recognized as a result of the constitution, but other communities were not granted the political and cultural independence of historical nationalities.

Culture

The modern day culture of Andalusia draws heavily on its Morrish history. It is considered to be one of the most colorful regions of Spain, with ornemantation playing a large role in clothing. Dance and music are also vital to the culture of Andalusia, with the most popular performance dance being the flamenco. Flamenco, while most often performed by Roma gypsies in its nativeland, has gained popularity around the globe. Two distinct types of flamenco exist in Andalusia, those which are choreographed, and those which are not. Unchoreagraphed flamenco dance is refered to as cante jondo, and has a less structured musical rhythm than choreographed flamenco.

Notes

↑ The Statute of Autonomy for Andalusia was approved by "Ley Orgánica 6/1981, de 30 de diciembre, Estatuto de Autonomía para Andalucía", published in Boletín Oficial del Estado n. 9, 11 January 1982. As for "Decreto Ley 11/1978" a provisional Autonomous Government (Junta de Andalucía preautonómica) had already been created. The Statute of Autonomy has been reformed in 2006, and the amended text approved by the Senate of Spain and the Congress of Deputies of Spain. The new Statute will be voted on in a referendum in 2007.[1]

Sources and further reading

External links

Official Tourism Website of AndalusiaRetrieved November 18, 2007.
History of the Andalusian FlagRetrieved November 18, 2007.
Andalucia Photo and History PagesRetrieved November 18, 2007.
Fairs and Festivals in Andalusia Retrieved November 18, 2007.
AndalusiaRetrieved November 18, 2007.

Credits

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History of "Andalusia"

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[1] The Statute of Autonomy for Andalusia was approved by "Ley Orgánica 6/1981, de 30 de diciembre, Estatuto de Autonomía para Andalucía", published in Boletín Oficial del Estado n. 9, 11 January 1982. As for "Decreto Ley 11/1978" a provisional Autonomous Government (Junta de Andalucía preautonómica) had already been created. The Statute of Autonomy has been reformed in 2006, and the amended text approved by the Senate of Spain and the Congress of Deputies of Spain. The new Statute will be voted on in a referendum in 2007.[1]

[1]

@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 The colonies of the Phoenicians eventually declined in power following the dissolution of the Phoenician empire. The next major political force to emerge in the regian was the city of Carthage, whose emphasis on trade gave the straits of Gibraltor and the Andalusia region economic importance. As a trading center, Carthage saw the economic value of controlling the strait, and began a campaign to gain control of the region. Between the first and second Carthaginian wars, Carhage extended its power over Andalusia, using the coast to launch many of its invasions into Roman territory. Carthage, however, was unsucessful in its campaign against Rome. With the decline of Carthage, Andalusia remained for a brief period without a strong political identity. Rome stepped in to fill the power vacuum, renaming the area Betica.
-===Vandals and Visigoths===
+Roman control over the area did not last long, with the area briefly falling under the control of the Vandals. As the Vandals passed through the region on their way to North Africa, they took control of Andalusia. Following their brief occupation, the Visigoths took control, only to be replaced by Muslim rule in the early 8th centuey C.E. The Muslim invasion proved to be an extrememly influential action in the formation of a distinct Andalusian identity. Under Muslim rule, Andalusia became an extrememly wealthy and influential political force that actively cultivated scholarship and advances in medicine.
-The [[Vandals]] moved briefly through the region during the [[5th century]] CE before settling in [[North Africa]], after which the region fell into the hands of the [[Visigoths|Kingdom of the Visigoths]] who had to face the Byzantine interests in the region.
-===Arabs and Moors===
+In 1248 A.D. Seville fell to Castilian rule. After the fall of Seville, the Andalusia region became to experience a large influx of Moors who were fleeing the Reconquista. The Moorish influx contributed significantly to the Andalusian culture that is apparent today. Moorish influences were particularly strong in architecture, with prominent examples found at the Alhambra and the Giralda towers.
-{{main|Al-Andalus}}
-The [[Muslim conquests#Conquest of Hispania: 711-718|Umayyad Caliphate invasion]] of the [[Iberian peninsula]] in 711-718 marked the collapse of Visigothic rule. Andalucian culture was deeply influenced by half a millennium of Muslim rule during the [[Middle Ages]]. [[Córdoba, Spain|Córdoba]] became the largest and richest city in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world.  The [[Moors]] established universities in Andalucia, and cultivated scholarship, bringing together the greatest achievements of all of the civilisations they had encountered. During that period Moorish and Jewish scholars played a major part in reviving and contributing to Western [[astronomy]], [[medicine]], [[philosophy]] and [[mathematics]]. With the fall of [[Seville]] in 1248 most of Andalucia came under [[Castilian]] control, leaving only the [[emirate]] of [[Granada]] under Muslim rule until it too was conquered by the [[Catholic monarchs]], [[Ferdinand]] and [[Isabella]] in 1492. The largest Arabic speaking population was in Andalucia, which also received Moors from other regions who were driven south by the [[Reconquista]], and although many either converted or left later, they gave the region its distinctive character till this day.
-Andalucia is known for its [[Moors|Moorish]] and Moorish influenced architecture. Notable examples include the [[Alhambra]] in [[Granada]], the [[Mezquita]] in [[Córdoba, Spain|Córdoba]], the [[Torre del Oro]] and [[Giralda]] towers.  Other architectural styles include Mozarabic, such as the [[Reales Alcázares]] in [[Seville]], and the [[Alcazaba (Málaga)|Alcazaba]] in [[Málaga]]. Archaeological ruins include [[Medina Azahara]], near Córdoba, and the Roman city of [[Itálica]], near Seville, and at Palos, in the province of [[Huelva]], the Andalusian port from which Columbus's expedition of discovery was launched.
-The [[Spanish language]] spoken in the [[Americas]] is largely descended from the [[Andalusian dialect]] of [[Spanish language|Spanish]].  Although, the Spanish spoken at the Canary Islands resembles more the Spanish spoken in the Caribbean.  This is due to the role played by [[Seville]] as the gateway to Spain's American territories during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
+Andalusia began its own distict political force in 1978, when the Spanish constitution established historical nationalities. Historical nationalities in Spain, like Andalusia, were granted a special, autonomous status that was based on the idea that the area contained a specific nationality. Another major idea behind historical nationalites was their supposed independence from Spain as a whole. Under this idea Historical Nationalies were areas that were considered culturally independent prior to the second Spanish War. Andalusia is one of only four such regions in Spain, with the other historical nationaties found in  Catalonia, Basque, and Galicia. Many other communities in Spain were recognized as a result of the constitution, but other communities were not granted the political and cultural independence of historical nationalities.
-Andalusia Day (in Spanish, ''Día de Andalucía'') is celebrated on [[February 28]], to commemorate the date of the successful referendum vote on [[autonomous communities of Spain|autonomy]].
-'''Historical nationalities''' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''Nacionalidades históricas'') in [[Spain]] is the term most commonly used to refer to regions that are granted by the [[Spanish Constitution of 1978|1978 Constitution]] a special status as [[autonomous communities of Spain|autonomous communities]]. Other terms may also be employed in the particular Statute of Autonomy of each autonomous community. These regions are: [[Catalonia]], the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]], [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] and [[Andalusia]], all of them officially recognized as nationalities. The other 13 autonomous communities were granted less [[devolution|devolved powers]] and became autonomous communities by the so-called ''slow track''<ref>''Vía lenta'' in Spanish, referring to article 143 of the [[Spanish Constitution of 1978]]</ref>.
-They were intended to recognize the regions that had their statutes of autonomy in an advanced stage during the [[Second Spanish Republic]]. The term ''nationality'' was a consensous solution trying to conciliate the centralist and [[Spain under Franco|old-regime]] positions, who consider this regions part of the indivisible unity of Spain, with the [[Politics_of_Spain#The_nationality_debate|nationalists]], who consider this territories as nations (see also [[Spanish_Nation#Conflicts with "nationality" and "nation" and related controversy in Spain|"Nationality" vs. "nation"]]).
-Actually, only the Catalan statute was active before the [[Spanish Civil War]]. [[Andalusian regionalism|Andalusia statute of autonomy]] was drawn and submitted by [[Blas Infante]] at the same time <ref>http://www.andalucia.com/history/people/blasinfante.htm</ref>, then approved by parliament in June [[1936]], to be voted in referendum in September 1936. However the start of the Civil War in July and the assassination of Infante by Franco's rebels in August of the same year put an end to the autonomist project for Andalusia.
-The Basque statute was approved during the war and was effective only on the limited part of the region under the control of the Basque Government.
-As of 2007, the autonomous communities which are defined in their [[statute]]s of autonomy as nationalities <ref>{{languageicon|es|Spanish}} [http://www.congreso.es/constitucion/estatutos/index.htm Statutes of Autonomy of the Autonomous Communities of Spain]</ref>, therefore legally recognised as such are:
-[[Andalucía]] (1981 and 2006 statutes), [[Aragón]] (1996), [[Canary islands]] (1996), [[Catalonia]] (1979 and 2006), [[Valencia (autonomous community)|Valencia]] (1982 and 2006), [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] (1981) and [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]] (1979).
-The Autonomous Comunitie of Andalusia is administrated through the "Junta de Andalucia" and is one of the 4 historic Autonomous Communities of Spain. It has a local parliament and president.
 == Culture ==
-Andalusians have a rich culture which includes the famous flamenco style of music and dance. Flamenco is mostly performed by [[Roma|Gypsy]] people and popular throughout the world. Arab Muslims influence seems common, and more inherent than in the rest of Spain.
-Improvised flamenco songs of ancient Andalusian origin are called cante jondo, and are characterized by a reduced tonal ambiance, a lack of rhythm, baroque ornamentation and repetition of notes. Cante jondo is sung by a single singer (Cantaor).
+The modern day culture of Andalusia draws heavily on its Morrish history. It is considered to be one of the most colorful regions of Spain, with ornemantation playing a large role in clothing. Dance and music are also vital to the culture of Andalusia, with the most popular performance dance being the flamenco. Flamenco, while most often performed by Roma gypsies in its nativeland, has gained popularity around the globe. Two distinct types of flamenco exist in Andalusia, those which are choreographed, and those which are not. Unchoreagraphed flamenco dance is refered to as cante jondo, and has a less structured musical rhythm than choreographed flamenco.
 ==Notes==
@@ Line 95: / Line 71: @@
 ==External links==
-*[http://www.andalucia.org/modulos.php?modulo=Index&nuevoidioma=eng Official Tourism Website of Andalusia]
+*[http://www.andalucia.org/modulos.php?modulo=Index&nuevoidioma=eng Official Tourism Website of Andalusia]Retrieved November 18, 2007.
-*[http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/es-an_hi.html History of the Andalusian Flag]
+*[http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/es-an_hi.html History of the Andalusian Flag]Retrieved November 18, 2007.
-*[http://www.paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/Spain/Andalucia/Andalucia.htm Andalucia Photo and History Pages]
+*[http://www.paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/Spain/Andalucia/Andalucia.htm Andalucia Photo and History Pages]Retrieved November 18, 2007.
-*[http://www.fiestasdeandalucia.com/ FiestasdeAndalucia.com] Fairs and traditional fiestas of Andalusia
+*[http://www.fiestasdeandalucia.com/FiestasdeAndalucia.com, Fairs and Festivals in Andalusia] Retrieved November 18, 2007.
+*[http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0803911.html, Andalusia]Retrieved November 18, 2007.
 {{Provinces of Andalusia}}