The coast of Granada and historical marine background

The coastline of Granada, integrated into the Costa Tropical region, extends along 75.83 kilometers. Of this length, approximately 55.8% corresponds to beaches, followed by cliffs that represent 35%. The predominant shape of the coastline is rectilinear in more than 61% of its extension, and its dynamics are mostly stable, with more than 55% of the same. Between Calahonda and La Caleta, there are 21.5 kilometers of gravel and pebble beaches, except in the Cabo de Sacratif area. Between La Caleta and the Cantarriján Ravine, the border between Granada and Málaga, 23 kilometers of rugged coastline extend, where the only protected natural spaces on the Granada coastline are located: the Cliffs of Cerro Gordo-Maro and the Peñones de San Cristóbal. These spaces stand out for their great ecological value and are part of the Sierra de Alhama, Tejeda and Almijara Natural Park.

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Throughout history, the coast of Granada has been an area of human settlement and economic activity. Since the first signs in the Neolithic, the use of marine resources has been evident, indicating an early relevance of the coastal zone in the subsistence and trade of local communities. During the Phoenician and Roman times, the ports of the Granada coast acquired crucial importance as commercial centers, especially recognized for their production of salted meats, such as the coveted garum, intended mainly for imperial Roman cuisine. This period marked an extraordinary development of the fishing and salt industry, as witnessed by the archaeological remains of factories such as "El Majuelo" in Almuñécar. The Middle Ages saw a close commercial relationship between the ports of Granada and those of North Africa, underlining the strategic importance of places like Almuñécar, not only as commercial centres, but also as military defense points. The exploitation of sea salt, essential for the conservation and trade of fish, as well as for other uses such as livestock and food, played a vital role in the coastal economy for centuries. Over the years, Granada's ports and coastal enclaves have maintained their relevance in maritime trade, continuing their legacy as nerve centers of economic and commercial activity in the region.