Modern History

Finally, in 1841 the Diputacion Provincialde Malaga accepts segregation of Fuengirola and Mijas though at first thedemarcation recognized on a provisional basis, making the final a year later.

On May 19, 1841 a provincial deputy went tothe town, being appointed as the first Mayor Antonio García Cortes. One of thefirst decisions taken by the new corporation was to be named as emblematicstreets and spaces in the still known in the city today as the Place de la Constitution Street San Rafael.

Modern History of FuengirolaFuengirola would long depend on the municipality of Mijas, and little bylittle would appear as a village on the coast to reduce the threat of invasion.

But no longer in the same place as the Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs towns, buton the other side of the river, where at the beginning of the eighteenthcentury, there is a sale near the beach, which would provide accommodation for farmersand people making a living from the sea. Along with the aforementioned salebegan to rise a few huts, a small town promptly grew up.

In the early years ofthe nineteenth century, particularly since February 1810 until April 16, 1812,the castle Sohail was in the hands of the French occupation as a gala in Spain.In 1822 the people sent a letter to the Diputacion Provincial de Malagarequesting the creation of a hall in the town, which will result in theemancipation of Fuengirola from Mijas.

A census at that time said that there were 409 persons living in Fuengirola andminimal fishing in the village. The County considered the most compellingreasons given by residents of Mijas and Fuengirola but still had to waitnineteen years to become independent.

Since the mid-30sbegin the first applications to build hotels on the beach. They are the beginningof the influx of tourists since the’60s has continued to reach further intoFuengirola, completely transforming the town.

The main economic activities are related to the tourism sector. The mildclimate allows visitors throughout the year, while in summer the population ismultiplied by the large influx of visitors both Spanish and othernationalities.