Costa Calida

The Coasta Calida is approximately 250 km of the Mediterranean coast within the province of Murica. To the north is Costa Blanca, to the south is Costa Almeria. It is on the south east of the Iberian Peninsula. The coastline has coves, beaches, sand dunes, salt-water lagoons and mud flats. Costa Calida has become a popular tourist destination with many Costa Calida Villas or Costa Calida Apartments in the area.

The average temperature is 20c with no more than 40 days rain. There is a variation between the coast and interior where on higher ground will be lower temperatures and more rainfall during the year. The province of Murcia is typical semi arid sub tropical. The temperature of the sea is rarely below 18c.

On the northern coastline is the Mar Menor, the little sea, which the largest salt water lagoon in Europe (170km square). Its separated by a thin strip of land known as La Manga del Mar Menor, the sleeve from the Mediterranean sea. This strip of land is 24km long and in places no more than 100m wide. The waters for the Mar Menor are roughly about 5c warmer than the surrounding Mediterranean sea. The depth of the Mar Menor is 4m and at its deepest 7m. The seabed has a very gradual slope and because of its extra buoyancy due to its high salt content and calm waters. Make it one of the safest places for swimming for children and adults of all swimming abilities. The mineral rich waters are meant to have therapeutic affects for such ailments such like rheumatism and arthritis. The mud of the saltpans of Lo Pagan to the north of the lagoon are beneficial to health. The lagoon is very good for learning water sports.

The fine shells and soft surfaces have created large mass of vegetation such as green algae, which have adapted to the salty conditions. It is also home to penai kerathurus tiger prawn and very highly valued commercially. Horse riding along the Mar Menor starts from the horse barn in El Puntal next to the golf course. You go along the steppes, which are at the base of Cenizas Mountain. At the peak you can see the old headquarters of Guardia Civil, which now is a cabin. There are also remains of barrel guns plus other bronze weaponry. They belong to old forts protecting the entrance to Portman and Cabo de Palos. If you tie your horse, you can walk down the path to the coves of Negrete cape. From Las Ceniaz follow the path to Lano de Beal through Mining Mountain range, returning to the horse barn.

The town of Lo Pagan on the Mar Menor is famous for its healing mud baths, which are a protected area but are free for you to use. The town is largest area of mud baths in Europe, which are recommended for all types of skin conditions and several beaches. Also has morning fish market and good nightlife.

The Mar Menor forms the north border to exclusive La Manga club. Its 1400 acre holiday resort with 3 golf courses, tennis centre plus all other sports and leisure facilities and good restaurants. Which has won it European category winner in the world travel awards.

Las Salinas y Arenales de San Pdro del Pinatar are important wetlands. With the dunes and beach at La Llana forms a important nature reserve with flamingos on their way to Africa and many other types of birds that nest in the dunes. There is also the Archaeological - Ethnographic museum and the salt flats centre of research and preservation of wetlands. Punta de Algas is where the salt mills and the Encanizadas, ancestral homes like 'clock house' where the famous politician Emilo Castelar died and the palace of The Counts of Villar de Felices known as 'The house of the Russian woman' are located. Also there is Salinas de San Pedro Regional Park, a natural protected reservoir.

Around the Hormigas islands of El Bajo, El Mosquito and the small islands of EL Hormigon and La Losa have integrated reserve around them, which is part of the larger marine reserve, which is about 19km Square. It has high biodiversity and ecosystems of oceanic fields and rocky coral beds. The aim of the reserve is provide protection, regeneration of fishing resources to sustain fisheries and preserve fisherman's traditional way of life. There are some rocky capes at sea level and the diving around the islands is very good. There are boats trips for diving all year round. The first stop is Bajo de Enmedio where the capes are at 4m depth, where you can see perches, meagres, congers, barracudas, morays, octopi, wrasses and damselfish. In El Bajo de passing the lighthouse island you will find remains of shipwrecks at 30m.The beds nearest the islands have been declared integrated reserves where there is no diving, but can you dive on the other parts of the marine reserve.

The City of Cartagena has a rich history of 3000 years. Its was used by Hannibal as Iberian capital. Its was also used as important city by the Romans. Beneath the city lies a whole Roman city slowly been uncovered. You can see remains of Punic wall, which marks the foundation of the city by Carthagians in 227 BC. These remains were only discovered in 1987 along with 18th century crypt. Also discovered was a Roman amphithreatre, which was covered by cemetery during epidemics of 18th & 19th centuries and a disused bullring. The best view of the theatre is up the lift to Conception castle. Due to its natural harbour its has become important military port since medieval times. So can get a cruise and see the sea wall, military arsenal, artillery park and military hospital and many castles. Mediterranean squadron of the Spanish navy has its HQ there with a submarine school with small flotilla. There is a model of Issac Peral's submarine.

There are ornate street lamps and many former homes of affluent mining owners such as Casa Cervantes, La Casa Maestre, Aguirre Palace and La Casa Clares shoes architectural development during the mining boom.