Europe’s first desert course was designed by Peter McEvoy in true Arizona style with about half the grass areas normally found on other courses. There is an abundance of cactus, springs, rocks, water hazards and dry river beds and while the terrain is fairly flat there are many sandstone outcrops.

The Spanish are avid TV watchers (after the Americans and Brits, that is). Most TV's receive between five and six terrestrial channels. These are: TV1 - The state run flagship Television Española, TV2 - The state run second Television Española, Antena 3 - Independent National Station, Tele 5 - Independent National Station, Canal Sur - Popular Regional Channel run by the Regional Government of Andalucia and Andalucia 2.

News pages on Andalucia.com and lists with links to the websites of the main provincial newspapers published in Andalucia.

To see info about general motoring maps of Spain or the Costa del Sol click on the links.

A list of English Language newspapers and magazines that you will find in Andalucia.

With its hugely varied landscapes and scenery, from arid deserts to spectacular mountains, Moorish towns and cities to pristine beaches, Andalucia is a film-makers’ dream. Little wonder, then, that scores of movies have been shot here over the years, from spaghetti westerns in the Wild West town sets of Almeria, to historic epics in the glorious mudejar palaces of Seville.

There are numerous bookshops in all the major towns and cities of Andalucia. All markets are catered for, and there are a number of English language Bookshops and other international language book shops in Andalucia catering for the foreign resident.

In 1990 the new Atalaya golf course was built next to the village of Minas de Rio Tinto; the original was founded in the 19th century within the Rio Tinto copper mine. The course is 2,300 metres long, with grassed greens but the fairways are bare earth, reminiscent of the original course used by miners and engineers.

Over the past ten years or so, out-of-town shopping centres ( centros comerciales, or CCs), whether supermarkets or fashion outlets, have become increasingly prevalent in Andalucia, located on the edge of towsn and cities or in their suburbs.

There are many English language radio stations in Andalucia, especially along the Costa del Sol and some inland areas where many English speaking residents have settled over the last few decades. A few of the pioneering English language stations are still going strong after and have long-term.

In Granada province is one of Andalucia's two national parks, the Sierra Nevada, a mountainous region containing the two highest peaks in the Iberian Peninsula and whose summits are often snow-capped. This is the place to come if you're into rock climbing, mountaineering, skiing or, for the less energetic, botany, since the park harbours an incredible array of rare and endemic plants.

The Montecastillo Golf Resort designed by the great golfing legend Jack Nicklaus is rated the 5th best course in Europe and deservedly so. It follows the principle that what you see is what you get, with no blind holes and with open, and big drive inducing, fairways.

Sherry and Golf, what an evocative combination they make, and now the name has become reality in the form of The Sherry Golf Complex. Situated just 1.5 kilometres south of the lovely town of Jerez, on the Autovia A-1V. Golf Sherry is typical of the modern American style of courses, wide fairways, big greens and lots of water.

Golf courses in Jerez are challenging yet fun for even the least experienced of golfers.

This course is situated in the foothills of the Sierra de la Almijara and has lovely views of the surrounding mountains. The first nine holes are mainly flat with large bermuda fairways and large sloping and curved greens. Lakes affect a large part of the course.

The Guadiana greenway is 17 kilometres long and runs along part of what used to be the mining railway line between Herrerias and Puerto de la Laja. Trains transported minerals to the river which gives its name to this route in Huelva province.

This is a tarmac greenway which runs for just over a kilometre and a half to the town of Olula del Río. The route is accessible on foot, by bike and in a wheelchair. Sierra de las Estancias and Sierra de Los Filabres are highlights in terms of beautiful landscapes which can be seen from this greenway.

The Lucainena de las Torres greenway runs for 5.5 kilometres, from the Punete del Saltador at the Rambla Honda to Lucainena de las Torres. It follows the path of the old mining train which ran from Lucainena to Aguas Amargas on the coast.

On this greenway, Minas del Plomo (Lead Mines), you can explore Linares’ mining past. The route is 11 kilometres long and runs between the town of Linares and Los Salidos de Linares mine. The route is accessible on foot, by bike and by horse. One section of the route, the part which runs from Ermita de la Virgen de Linarejos chapel to Restauración well.

Cadiz is one of Andalucia’s most vibrant yet underrated cities. With a rich history going back millennia, and a charming almost-island old centre, originally fortified, the city is much less touristy than other regional capitals, with wonderful beaches and seafood.