General Information
Northern Costa Blanca
Southern Costa
Blanca
General Information about the Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca (White Coast) refers to the over 200 kilometres of coastline
belonging to the Province of Valencia and Alicante in the Community of Valencia
in Spain. It has a well developed tourism
industry and is a popular destination for British and German tourists. It
extends from the towns of Gandia and Denia in the north, beyond which lies the Costa dels
Tarongers, to Torrevieja in the south, beyond which lies the Costa Calida. It
includes the major tourist destinations of Benidorm and Alicante.
The name "Costa Blanca" was devised as a promotional name used by BEA when they
launched their air service between London and Valencia in 1957.
In 711 A.D. the Moors invaded Spain through Gibraltar and would occupy the
region of Alicante by 718 A.D. Their occupation was to last nearly four hundred
years and would mould the landscape of the region. The Moors introduced
irrigation and the planting of oranges, peaches and almond orchards. The
terraces seen on the hillsides throughout the region are an everlasting Moor
legacy. The Moors would not be completely expelled until 1492, when Ferdinand
and Isabella, the Catholic monarchs, finally took control of Granada.
In 1095
Spain became part of the North African Berber Empire and for another four
hundred years the Moors and Christians would fight over control of Spanish soil.
Alicante was gradually regained from the Moors in 1248 by Jaime I of Aragon.
After their expulsion, the Moors continued to attack Spain. Between 1500-c1650
Berber pirate attacks were frequent all along the Mediterranean coastline. The
first Spanish constitution was written in 1812 and following this the provincial
boundaries were established, establishing the regions including Alicante and
Murcia as they are today. In 1923, Miguel Primo de Rivera took control of Spain
as a dictator, eventually forcing Alfonso XIII into exile.
The Spanish Civil
War, (1936-1939) would divide the country. Alicante and Murcia would remain
supporters of the Republican movement. In 1939 General Francisco Franco, the
leader of the Nationalists took control of Spain. During the 1960’s and 70’s
tourism exploded throughout the region to nearly 4,000,000 visitors a year.
The area is a very popular tourist destination because of its excellent weather
and climate and the many superb sandy beaches, ideal for families, which stretch
for miles and miles along the coast.
There is great variety of places you can visit and each place has something for
everyone.
On the coast and enjoy the energy and nightlife of the major tourist towns like
Benidorm or alternatively within a short distance you can stay on the coast in
quaint, quiet fishing villages like calpe or Denia. Or you can go inland and
enjoy the unspoilt natural Spain.
The area is served by airports at Valencia, Alicante and Murcia, a motorway (the
A-7) and the east costa main road the "legendary" N332!
