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Places in Spain -
Mar Menor
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Mar Menor
(Little
Sea) is a
unique
area
located on
the east
coast of
Spain,
within the
region of
Murcia,
just above
the city
of
Cartagena.
Few
regions
have the
good
fortune to
have both
a
saltwater
lake and a
Mediterranean
shore. The
region of
Murcia has
both and
the salt
water lake
with an
area of
170sq.km
is known
as Mar
Menor, the
largest
salt water
lake in
Europe.
Mar Menor
is part of
the
Costa
Calida.
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The area
dates back
to
prehistoric
times but
most
remains
found date
from the
Roman and
Arabic
periods.
The Romans
valued the
area
highly and
developed
a valuable
salt
industry.
It was
about 1000
years ago
that the
lake took
on the
appearance
it has
today.
The Romans
called it
Belich and
referred
to it as a
port of
refuge. It
was much
deeper in
those
times so
could cope
with even
the
largest of
vessels.
Over the
last
hundred
years or
so, the
area has
developed
into a
tourist
haven.
As well as
the
natural
importance
of the
area the
mud and
clay are
said to
have
therapeutic
properties,
known for
centuries. |
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The
average
annual
temperature
here is
17ºC and
the
average
during the
summer is
above
21ºC. The
winters
are very
mild, very
rarely
falling
below
10ºC. Rain
is also
rare here.
With over
3000 hours
of
sunshine a
year and
the mild
climate,
the water
here can
reach 30º
in August.
The coast
of the Mar
Menor is
flanked by
small
towns, in
the past
homes to
fishermen
and today,
tourist
enclaves.
San
Pedro del
Pinatar
in the
north
covers
21.7sq.km
and has
15,200
inhabitants.
This can
swell to
60,000 in
the summer
months.
Below this
is San
Javier
with over
20,000
residents.
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The area
offers
several
golf
courses,
municipal
parks and
the famous
resort of
La
Manga.
La Manga
has more
than 40km
of beaches
and the
unique
possibility
of
choosing
between
two seas
with very
different
water
temperatures,
one with
waves and
one
practically
calm all
year long.
The number
of hotels
at La
Manga make
up 50% of
the total
hotels in
the
region.
With so
much water
here there
is no
wonder
that the
area is a
haven for
water
sports.
The
possibilities
here are
endless
from
sailing to
diving,
windsurfing
and jet
skiing. |
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Pictured
right is
the
Mediterranean
side of
Mar Menor
with the
thin
coastal
strip of
hotels and
houses
that runs
the length
of the
lake.
Along this
strip (The
Gran Via)
you will
find
hotels,
restaurants
and bars
as well as
ample
holiday
lets in
the form
of
apartments.
As you
join the
Gran Via
you will
find a
large
petrol
station.
Alongside
is the
very
helpful
tourist
office. |
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Other
places
worthy of
a visit
are
Santiago
de la
Riberera,
Los
Alcázares
and old
fishing
village
and the
point at
Cabo de
Palos
with its
lighthouse.
If history
is of
interest
to you
then you
must visit
nearby
Cartagena
with its
castles,
forts and
lighthouses. |
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Local
markets
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Monday
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San
Pedro
del
Pinatar |
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Tuesday
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La
Union,
Los
Belones,
Los
Alcazares |
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Wednesday
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Santiago
de la
Ribera,
Cartagena,
El
Mirador |
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Thursday
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San
Javier,
Los
Urrutias |
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Friday
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El
Algar,
Torrevieja |
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Saturday
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Los
Narejos,
Torre
Pachero |
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Sunday
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Cabo
de
Palos,
Los
Nieto |
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Local
Post
Codes |
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Lo
Pagan,
San
Pedro
del
Pinatar |
30740
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Santiago
de la
Ribera |
30720
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San
Javier
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30730
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Los
Narejos,
Los
Alcazares |
30710
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Los
Urrutias
|
30368
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Los
Nietos
|
30383
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Mar de
Cristal |
30384
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La
Manga
del
Mar
Menor |
30380
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Cabo
de
Palos |
30370
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Los
Belones
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30385
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Important
contacts
for
Mar
Menor
& La
Manga
area |
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Tourist
office
|
968
146
136
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Town
Council
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968
128
800
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Library |
968
141
399
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Emergencies
Murcia
Region |
112
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Emergencies
La
Manga |
061
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Guardia
Civil
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062
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Local
Police
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968
145
577
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Alicante
Airport
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966
919
000
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Radio
Taxi
La
Manga |
968
563
863
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Renfe
Cartagena
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968
502
214
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Post
Office
La
Manga |
968
564
981
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Nautical
clubs
and
marinas |
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Club
Nautico
Villa
de San
Pedro |
968
182
678
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Club
Nautico
lo
Pagan |
968
186
969
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Club
Nautico
Mar
Menor
(Los
Alcázares) |
968
575
129
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Puerto
Deportivo
Mar de
Cristal |
968
133
428
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Club
Nautico
la
Isleta |
968
145
389
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Club
Nautico
Dos
Mares |
968
140
117
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