Estepona

Estepona is a municipality in the provinceof Malaga, in the autonomous communityof Andalusia, Spain. It is situated on the Costa del Sol and is a popular tourist destination,especially during the summer, for its Mediterranean climate and its 21 km ofbeaches.

Estepona is also known for its fishing and farming. Itsregistered population is around 60,000, with continued growth, which isremarkable for its multicultural composition. It is integrated into theAssociation of Municipalities of the Costa del Sol.

Geography

Estepona is bordered on the north by Jubrique and Juzcar, onthe northeast by Benahavis, on the east by Marbella,and on the south and southwest by the Mediterranean Sea.

Estepona extends over a fertile valley, 23 km ofcoastline, is over 130 km² in area, with small streams and rivers, in aMediterranean ecosystem. The climate is mild throughout the year, showing theproximity of the Strait of Gibraltar (which gives this town a distinctiveindividuality, while off the coast of Costa del Sol and bordering Cadiz).

The rate of rainfall is higher than the national average,with high winds. These winds also determine the conditions and temperatures ofthe water: The water can be warm or very cold coming from the Strait, dependingon the wind.

Some highlights of Estepona are the beaches (La Rada and Cristo Beach), Golden Bay,the galley, the Kempiski, and the Beaver River.

The Sierra Bermeja Mountainsare north of Estepona, with a maximum height of 1449 m. The Pinsapo species canbe found in the Sierra Bermeja Mountains.

It has a Mediterranean climate with average annual data:

17° C temperature during the summer and can reach up to 41°or 42° in the winter and seldom fall below 10°.

Rainfall: 900L/m²

Hours of sunshine per year: 2850 h/year

Demographics

2007 Census: 65,358 inhabitants

Male: 25,132

Female: 25,356

Increased relative to the population: 23

Children under 20 years: 24%

Between 20 and 65 years: 63%

Over 65 years: 13%

Its population in the 2005 census was 54,709 inhabitants andis still growing, although it seems that many of the residents live inEsteponaonly during the summer.

Estepona also has one of the highest percentages of foreignpopulation in Andalusia. Out of 60,000 peoplesurveyed in 2006, 14,600 are of foreign origin, distributed mainly in threemajor groups:

4000 people from the U.K.

1600 people from Morocco

Over a thousand from Argentina

Based on the total of the new population, there are manyresidents who are multicultural; there are people registered from 103 countrieson five continents.

Estepona’s official seal was awarded in 1729 and is inthe form of a shield under a crown, with a blue sky background, a tower, arock, a banner, and a mountain.