Motril, Granada, Costa Tropical, Andalusia, Spain, Europe

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Motril is a town and municipality on the Mediterranean coast in the province of Granada, Spain. It is the second largest town in the province, with a population of 61,171 as of 2012. The town is located near the Guadalfeo River and 69 km (43 mi) from Granada. The council of Motril includes the city of Motril and the neighbourhoods of El Varadero, Torrenueva, Carchuna, Calahonda, Puntalón, Playa Granada, Las Ventillas, La Perla, La Garnatilla and La Chucha. The town is the capital of the region of the Coast of Granada. King Baudouin of the Belgians died in Motril of heart failure during a visit to their summer residence, "Villa Astrida" in 1993. Motril belongs to the Costa Tropical, a large region of the coast is very famous and touristic. Motril beaches can be small (bays) or large (like Playa Granada). The weather is usually good, so they are very popular during the summer by people from the surrounding as well as the interior regions. The main problems are the wind and the jellyfish. Although its origin still remains hidden, it was a Phoenician enclave. It already existed in Roman times, although we cannot say it was one of cities named Murgis, mentioned in Baetica by Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy. When the Christians conquered Motril, there were 2000 inhabitants for agriculture, fishing and the production of silk and sugar. The villa occupied 3.5 km (2.2 mi). Outside the city there are two suburb: Al-Majon suburb and al-Couruch suburb and a neighborhood called Jandara. In Motril’s history, there was a Moorish uprising in 1596 that finished in 1570 with the Christians’ victory. This made a recession of sugar production but this finished 5 years later with the repopulation of old Christians. By the end of XVI,”Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza’s” church was built. Sugar cane was the most important crop, which was later processed in the sugar refineries. The most important was "La Casa de la Palma". Now it’s the place where the “Museo Preindustrial de la Caña de Azúcar” is found. In 1657, Philip IV granted Motril the title of city, separating its jurisdiction from Granada. At the beginning of the next century, Philip V distinguished Motril as “Muy Noble y Leal”, which is now found on Motril’s shield. After the War of Independence, in which Motril was occupied by French troops, the city started a new expansion of sugarcane and the sugar industry. In the 19th century Motril participated in a singular event, it was proclaimed Independent Canton from July 22 to 25 of 1873. In a few years, due to the increase in the number of sugar refineries, it went to the first position in the Granada industrial ranking. It opened to the public on most traditional ride in the city, “Las Explanadas”, in the mid-19th century. In 2011, the PP with Carlos Rojas got the mayoral service for a third time, with absolute majority. In 2012 he left his charge of mayor to be a spokesman of the “Partido Popular Andaluz”, leaving the mayoral service to Luisa Garcia Chamorro. Motril has 61,171 inhabitants spread out over 557.27/km2 (1,443.3/sq mi) as of 2012. There had been increasing of population, the emigration was the first cause. Until 1610 that they were 4,300 inhabitants, from now on (2012) 61,171 inhabitants, the population kept growing the last centuries. Situated in the south coast of Andalusia, Motril has main crops like avocado, custard apple, guava, mango and banana; as well as greenhouse cultivation and sugarcane (but 2006 was the last year in which sugarcane was cultivated). These refineries are now abandoned. The potato was also very important. Motril and the villages belonging to the municipality: Torrenueva, Carchuna, Calahonda, Castel de Ferro... live of the crops in greenhouse. On one hand we have crops in greenhouse, the more importants are the tomatoes and the cucumbers. And on the other hand in a more reduced proportion crops outside such as custard apply, beans, peas. Its geographical position makes it a commercial and industrial centre, the most important industry in Motril is the paper mill that gives 400 jobs and produce around 250 tons of paper per year. “The Port of Motril” is a commercial and fishing, this is the second most important industry in Motril after. There is a famous museum in Motril, "The Sugarcane Museum" because, some years ago, there was a refinery, where they extracted the sugar to sell it. Motril's theatre, named Teatro Calderón de la Barca, organises many shows such as plays, exhibitions,concerts and monologues; and there is a local orchestra, the "Joven Orquesta Ciudad de Motril". In Motril, there is an strong music development. Young people study several instruments at the professional conservatory and there is a local music school too. You can also find many small music bands created by Motrilians. Flamenco's tradition is also performed here in dance academies and exhibitions along the whole year, specially in the Cruces.