Cádiz is a province of southern Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is the southernmost part of mainland Spain, as well as the southernmost part of continental Europe. It is bordered by the Spanish provinces of Huelva, Seville, and Málaga, as well as the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Its area is 7,385 sqkm. Its capital is the city of Cádiz, which has a population of 114,244. As of 2021, the largest city is Jerez de la Frontera with 212,801 inhabitants. Algeciras, which surpassed Cádiz with 122,982 inhabitants, is the second most populated city. The entire province had a population of 1,245,960 (as of 2021), of whom about 600,000 live in the Bay of Cádiz area (including Jerez), making it the third most populous province in Andalusia. Its population density is 167.93 per square kilometre.

Political and traditional subdivisions (comarcas)

The province encompasses 44 municipalities; besides its capital, other important cities are Jerez and Algeciras. (See the list of municipalities in Cádiz.) According to a roster developed by the Council of Tourism and Sport of Andalusia on 27 March 2003, there are officially six traditional or touristic comarcas (provincial areas or counties) in the Province of Cádiz:

Bay of Cádiz (Bahía de Cádiz)

This area comprises towns and cities on the shores of the Bay of Cádiz on the west-central coast of the province:

Campiña de Jerez (Countryside of Jerez)

This fertile area only includes two municipalities, both large in area:

Campo de Gibraltar (Countryside of Gibraltar)

The towns that extend into the rural hinterlands north of Gibraltar are:

Bajo Guadalquivir (Northwest Coast; also called Costa Noroeste)

The towns of this area called the "Bajo Guadalquivir" (lower Guadalquivir valley), are:

La Janda

Towns included in La Janda, an area in the southwestern part of the province, are:

Sierra de Cádiz (Cádiz Mountains)

Towns included in the Cádiz Mountains area, in the northeastern part of the province, include:

Population

The historical population is given in the following chart:

Climate

The entire province of Cádiz has a Mediterranean climate, mostly Köppen Csa but also Csb in high altitude areas. Large differences in summer temperatures exist between the three official stations in Cádiz, Jerez, and Tarifa depending on position relative to the coastline. Tarifa is exceptionally mild for such a southerly place in Spain, meanwhile winter temperatures are mild throughout the province with less difference between localities than in summer. Average yearly rainfall is 521 mm in Cádiz, 573 mm in Jerez, and 603 mm in Tarifa. This is comparable to much cloudier climates further north in Europe, in spite of the high number of sunshine hours in the province. The Cádiz region is also much wetter than the arid Almería province further east in Andalusia.

Economy

In 2014 the unemployment rate was 42%, the highest in the country. The main industry is tourism, mainly from non-coastal Spanish cities, Germany and the UK. Its once-important shipbuilding industry (Astilleros) is now in crisis due to competition from South Korea and China. There are factories of Airbus and Delphi. It also exports sherry as well as alimentary products.

Primary sector

Major industrial facilities

Tourism

Beaches

The province of Cádiz has many kilometres of beaches and (as of 2005) the highest number of Blue Flags of all coastal provinces in Europe. Some of these beaches are relatively wild and far from big urban areas. One of the attractions of the area is its contrast to the mass tourism on the Mediterranean coast. There are extensive nature reserves in the region and the unspoilt feel of the area is heightened by the presence of wild animals including cows and horses on many stretches of beach. The Costa de la Luz has traditionally been a popular destination for Spaniards wanting to enjoy the beach while avoiding the stifling heat of the Mediterranean Coast, although until recently this largely unspoilt Atlantic coastline was little known to foreign visitors. One of the factors that brought the region to the attention of foreign holidaymakers was the growing realisation that its Southern reaches are one of the world's best locations for wind sports. Tarifa, located on the Strait of Gibraltar at the southernmost point of mainland Europe, has become Europe's foremost kitesurfing destination due to the area's unique wind phenomena, reliably sunny summer weather and the variety of beaches at locations such as Los Canos de Meca, Bolonia, Punta Paloma and, most famously, Playa de Los Lances where in the summer months you will often see over 1,000 kites in the air. The local economy has benefited significantly from the wind sport explosion: there are more than 50 kite schools in Tarifa and hundreds of shops, bars and hotels serving the many thousands of kitesurfers who visit every year. Notable beaches:

Culture

Nature

Doñana National Park

Doñana National Park is one of two national parks in the autonomous community of Andalusia. A small area of the park extends into Cádiz Province, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda and on the south bank of the Rio Guadalquivir. This area is primarily marismas. The public have access to a recreational area and a short walking trail. There is no direct access to the bulk of the park that lies on the north bank of the river in the provinces of Seville and Huelva.

Natural parks

Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park

La Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park

La Doñana Natural Park

Los Alcornocales Natural Park

Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park

Straits of Gibraltar Natural Park

Natural reserves

Natural sites

Parques Periurbanos: Pinares y Dunas de San Antón La Suara La Barrosa

Natural monuments

Transportation

Roads

Airports

Railroads

Ports

The main ways to enter the province are by road from Seville or Malaga and by the Jerez Airport.

Notable sports teams

Football

Rugby Union

Notes and references