Zurgena and La Alfoquia

Population circa 2,200

Market day - Friday

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In the 15th century, Zurgena changed hands between the Moriscos (Moors) and Cristianos a few times before 1488 when the armies of the Christian Kings finally won the day. The town has also had different administrators: the town of Baza until 1833, then preferring to be governed by Almeria. The principal industry around the area continues to be farming.

The political capital of the council is Zurgena but the two villages are just separated by the bridge over the Rio Almanzora, which for most of the year is dry. Some 25 minutes' driving from Vera Playa, the villages offer a wide range of amenities, including doctors and an English-speaking pharmacy. The school system offers primary and secondary education and a school bus service is available at no charge. Once each year there are lively fiestas: Zurgena's is in August, complete with international entertainers, while La Alfoquia celebrates for a week in June.

Both villages have a small British community spred out in small groups of cozy detached villas at excellent prices and in La Alfoquia, there are several cafes, bars and restaurants owned and operated by Brits.

For more facilities, both Albox and Huercal Overa are a few minutes' driving time away: Almería and its airport is about 45 minutes, the beach villages like Mojacar, Vera, Villaricos, etc. are 20 minutes drive away as do the magnificent golf courses of the area. At the moment the A-92 motorway (toll free) is being completed and by the end of 2009 the municipality will be integrated to the national motorway network, making Granada and Sierra Nevada at 90 minutes to 2 hrs. drive from and the beaches of Mojacar at 15 minutes or less.