Murcia Region
The Region of Murcia is located in the southeast of the country, between Andalusia and the Valencia region, on the Mediterranean coast. The city of Murcia is the capital of the Region, and seat of government, except for parliament's Regional Assembly, which is held in Cartagena.
Murcia is bordered by Andalucía to the south west, Castilla La Mancha to the north west, and the region of Valencia and the Mediterranean Sea to the east.
The region is a major producer of fruit, vegetables and flowers for both Spain and the rest of Europe. Excellent wineries have been developed near the towns of Bullas, Yecla, and Jumilla, as well as olive oil near Moratalla. Murcia is mainly a warm region which has made it very suitable for agriculture.
The Region of Murcia enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild winters with an average of 11° in December and January, and warm summers with the daily maximum regularly exceeding 40°. The average annual temperature is 18°C. The region has between 120 and 150 days in the year where the sky is totally clear. April and October are the months with heavy downpours in a single day.
The greatest natural lake of Spain can be found in this region - the Mar Menor (Small Sea) lagoon. It is a salt water lagoon adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea and is the largest saltwater lake in Europe.
The Murcia region is not well known, even within Spain, so perhaps this is the reason why it continues to be relatively unspoilt compared to other more overcrowded areas along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. However, its more than 300 sunny days a year and its 250 km of beaches of the so-called Costa Calida (Warm Coast) have attracted tourists for decades.
Some places to visit in the Murcia Region -
Murcia - the capital city, offers the facilities, equipment and services of a large city. It is the seventh largest Spanish city by population. It has some interesting monuments including a very tall belfry and its famous Cathedral, whose facade is often considered a masterpiece of Spanish baroque. Murcia has a large number of parks and gardens.
Cartagena - is the Region’s second largest city and one of Spain's main naval bases. From its recently restored Roman Theatre, a number of astonishing modernist buildings made by the best of Barcelona’s architects or its military fortifications. Cartagena is becoming a leading tourist destination.
Lorca - is a large medieval town at the foothills of where its famous castle stands.
Caravaca (Caravaca de la Cruz) - is one of the five official Holy cities for Catholicism since it’s claimed to be home of part of the Lignum Crucis, the Holy Cross. It’s blessed with beautiful scenery and architecture.
