Until recently Murcia has been one of the least developed regions of coastal Spain. While neighbouring Valencia and Andalucia were experiencing an explosion of mass tourism and ex-pat home buying, Murcia remained relatively untouched by this foreign fervour for all things Spanish.
Murcia is the capital city of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, located at the river Segura in south-eastern Spain. Its population is 433,850 (2008), and the population of its metropolitan area is 743,326 ranking as the twelfth-largest metropolitan area of Spain. Since 1995, the mayor has been Miguel Ángel Cámara Botía (PP).
Murcia is built nearly in the centre of a low-lying fertile plain known as the huerta (orchard or vinyard) of Murcia, which includes the valleys of the Segura and its right-hand tributary, the Guadalentín or river Sangonera. It is surrounded by the Sierra de Orihuela and Cresta de Gallo mountains. Despite the proximity of the sea, the climate is subject to great variations: the summer heat is severe while frosts are occasionally experienced in the capital during the winter.
Precipitation in Murcia is scarce with less than 200 mm (7.9 inches) registered in the hydrological year October 2004 through September 2005.
Murcia-San Javier Airport (MJV) is located on the edge of the Mar Menor close to the towns of San Javier and Santiago de la Ribera, 45 kilometres (28 mi) southeast of Murcia. The airport at Alicante is frequently used by travellers to Murcia as well.
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