Granada is a city in Spain with a population of 250,000 to 350,000.
Granada is a student city with a large number of people coming from outside to study. In January, there are lots of blue skies, and it is warm when the sun is shining, but it gets cold at night. There are occasional frosts. The best time to visit Granada is in the spring and autumn when the temperature is just perfect with warm sunny days. During July and August, it can be very hot. Granada has a dry heat, which is much more bearable than the humid heat that you will find in Barcelona.
There is very little rainfall, although every few years there are spells when it rains very heavily. Granada is located next to the Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalusia, in the south of Spain. It is about 70km from the coast. Granada is located just at the point where the Sierra Nevada mountains meet the fertile plain of the Vega. Behind it are steep mountains, and in front, there is flat agricultural land.
The altitude is 630 meters. Spain is generally very monocultural in comparison to most other developed countries. For centuries, Spain was host to Arabic culture, leaving strong imprints both genetically and culturally. The granadainos” don’t have a particularly good reputation and are renowned for their “mala follar,” which means “bad humor.” The granadinos are less friendly and lighthearted than the average Spaniard.
Granada has the Alhambra, which is considered by some to be one of the 10 wonders of the world. The Alhambra is a massive castle constructed over many centuries. It consists of gardens, fortifications, and sumptuous palaces. It was the home of many of the Arabic Sultans who ruled the whole province. It receives 8000 visitors per day and is Spain’s most visited monument.
Even the biggest philistine would be impressed. Granada was ruled by many Caliphs, Arabic sultans, and dynasties. The Arabic/Muslim empire once stretched right up into the north of Spain. The various Christian groups settled their differences, joined together, and steadily drove the Arabs out of Spain.
Granada was the last stronghold and finally succumbed to Isabel and Ferdinand in 1492. The Muslims and Jews were forced to leave the country or convert to Christianity. At the same time, Christopher Columbus came to Granada to ask Isabel and Ferdinand for a grant to build ships so that he could conquer the Americas. They gave him the money, and then Columbus went.
