Andalusia
Andalusia, a region in southern Spain. It extends from the Sierra Morena south to the coast and encompasses the fertile valley of the Guadalquivir River. The region is divided into the provinces of Almería, Granada, Jaén, Córdoba, Málaga, Cádiz, Seville, and Huelva—all named for their capital cities. The Mediterranean coast between Algeciras and Málaga is a resort area called the Costa de Sol (Sunny Coast).
In ancient times Andalusia was colonized by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans. The Moorish conquest in the eighth century was the beginning of a brilliant cultural era in Andalusia. Many fine examples of Moorish architecture survive.