It's the new year, time for new starts and new resolutions. Many of us swear we will get fit when January arrives, to rid ourselves of all the excesses from Christmas over-indulgence, but it can be hard to keep the motivation going. If you join a gym, try to do it with a friend so you can convince each other to keep up your attendance, and check out the classes on offer.

It can be quite a culture shock to up sticks and live abroad. Many people decide to settle in Andalucia, after many years of spending pleasant vacations in this beautiful part of Spain. However, if you have been used to hotels, rented accommodation or perhaps staying with friends and family.

Every year Andalucía welcomes thousands of tourists, business people and new residents from other countries. Although many have a good understanding of the Spanish language, at one time or another they will usually all need the services of either a translator, who converts the written word of one language into another, or an interpreter who does the same with the spoken word.

Those living in Spain who miss their favourite UK stores will be delighted to know that many major international names such as Marks & Spencer and Amazon ship products directly to your home address in Spain - you can browse and order online in minutes.

Whether you are visiting or living in Andalucia, the Andalucia Directory should make life a little easier to find the information and services you may need.

Andalucia is a top destination for many nationalities seeking a relaxed pace of life in the sun. Foreign settlers are arriving in their droves to Andalucia, not only drawn by the fantastic climate, but also by the rich variety of natural beauty to be found in the mountains and on the coast, as well as the plethora of golf courses and other recreational activities to choose from.

Every year Andalucía welcomes thousands of tourists, business people and new residents from other countries. Although many have a good understanding of the Spanish language, at one time or another they will usually all need the services of either a translator, who converts written texts from one language into another, or an interpreter who does the same with the spoken word.

Living in a foreign country is a wonderful and enriching experience, which requires that you understand the local customs and ways of doing things - these may be considerably different from what you've experienced in your home country.

The gay and lesbian community is currently enjoying a high profile in Spain, thanks to the recent introduction of the controversial homosexual marriage law.

"There is no cure for birth and death, save to enjoy the interval," wrote the Spanish-born philosopher, George Santayana. Death is one of the few constants of life that can strike at anytime and anywhere, and Andalucia is not exempt.

Many people have found southern Spain to be an excellent place to start a family and raise children. Children are highly esteemed in Spanish culture and generally welcomed in restaurants and all kinds of events. As they say in Spain, "Cada niño nace con un bar de pan debajo del brazo" - or "Every child is born with a bar of bread under its arm".

To begin with, prices in general are quite reasonable in Andalucia - at least as compared to northern Europe. However, if real savings are your objective, it helps to have some local know-how in order to really cut costs on every corner.

As a consumer in Andalucia you will find at your disposal dedicated government offices designed to advise you regarding your rights and responsibilities. There are also numerous private consumer organisations that operate at both national and regional level. In the following articles you will find more specific information to help you find your way.

Christmas is not Andalucia´s biggest religious celebration - Semana Santa has that distinction. But it is nonetheless a big deal, with all the seasonal ambience, lights, markets, special food and other trappings. Every school, shop, office and home has a Nativity Scene.

In Andalucia and especially along the Costa del Sol, many worthwhile charities do excellent work to help different groups of society through times of need. From helping sick children and orphans, sufferers of diseases such as diabetes to giving quality of life to the terminally ill, there is help at hand.

The issues faced by owning a car and driving in Andalucia are similar to those faced in the rest of Spain. Some of these issues outlined below are different depending on whether you hold a license from Spain, or another EU country, or if you hold a non-EU license. Listed below is information on a variety of car and driver-related topics.

Spain is a fairly bureaucratic country, with a red tape tradition going back centuries. It is inevitable that you will encounter numerous paperwork projects while you are living here. The following articles will provide insights into some specific projects as well general information and advice that should help you regardless of the task you face.

As an expatriate in Andalucía you will need much of the same information any Spaniard might need upon moving to this region. However, as a foreigner you'll also have many specific needs - especially regarding culture, language and integration issues.

In Andalucia the acronym SAS is more likely to conjure up images of healthcare than air travel. It stands for Servicio Andaluz de Salud, or Andalucian Health Service and is run by the regional government.

It is true that babies are born every day, around the world. It is not true, however, that they are born in the same way or under the same conditions. In fact, both material standards of living and cultural factors affect even the medical procedures involved in birthing.