About Granada
General Information
HISTORY
The city has been inhabited from the dawn of history. Phoenicians, Carthagenians, Greeks and Roman have lived in this city. In the 8th century, nearly all the Iberian Peninsula was conquered (711-718) by Muslim armies from North Africa. Córdoba, the capital of the caliphate, was the largest, richest and most sophisticated city of medieval Western Europe. However, by the 11th century, the Muslim territories had fractured into rival Taifa kingdoms. With the arrival of the Zirid dynasty in 1013, Granada became an independent emirate Taifa of Granada and then the Kingdom of Granada in 1238. Important monuments from that period have survived until the present time: the Alhambra, the Generalife, the Albayzin, Arab baths.
On January 2, 1492, the last Muslim leader, Muhammad XII known as Boabdil to the Spanish, surrendered complete control of Granada to Ferdinand and Isabella, "The Catholic Monarchs", after the city had been besieged. It is one of the most significant events in Granada's history.
At the same time Christopher Columbus came to Granada to ask Isabel and Ferdinand for money to build ships so that he could conquer the Americas. Subsequent colonization led to the creation of the Spanish Empire, the largest empire in the world for its time. Over the course of the sixteenth century, Granada took on an ever more Christian and Castilian character, as immigrants flocked to the city from other parts of the Iberian Peninsula.
ARCHITECTURE
There are many important Moorish and Catholic architectural sites in Granada: The Alhambra and Generalife, the Palace of Charles V, Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel wtih the tombs of Isabella and Ferdinand, the Catholic Monarchs. The Albayzin is the ancient Arab quarter, containing many original houses from the 16th century.
LOCATION
The city of Granada in Andalusia in the South of Spain at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at an elevation of 700 metres above sea level. Yet it is only one hour from the Mediterrean coast, the Costa Tropical so that it is possible to go skiing and sunbathe on the beach on the same day.
CLIMATE
June is one of the best months to visit Granada. The average temperature ranges between 25 º C maximum and minimum of 9 ºC. The climate is dry, with an average of 4 or 5 days per month of rainfall.
PEOPLE
Granada, a city of 300,000 people, not only enjoys a wealth of heritage and history but a living reality and present with a multitude of cultural and social activities. The University was founded in the early sixteenth century, and the students create a lively, youthful atmosphere. Granada is a multicultural meeting place, a space open to welcoming visitors from all corners of the world.
CURRENCY AND BANK
The local currency in Spain is the Euro. Visitors coming from European or other countries with a different currency are encouraged to exchange funds for Euro in their home countries, at the airport on arrival, or at local bank. Regular banking hours are from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm hrs Monday to Friday. Most major credit cards are honoured in hotels as well as in most restaurants and other commercial establishments.
POSTAL SERVICE
Hotels often provide basic postal services.
Post offices are open daily (half day till 1.45 pm) except Saturday, Sunday and Pubblic Holidays.
ELECTRICITY
General Household electric power is 220 V, 50 Hertz.
RESTAURANTS
It is possible to find various kinds of European and all other cuisine in Granada.
SHOPPING
Most shops in Granada are generally open from 9 am to 7.30 pm Monday to Saturday. In all the big shopping centers major credit cards are accepted and your shopping will be tax free. There will also be some special shopping tours organized by the organization.
USEFUL LINKS
Congress Venue: Granada Conference and Exhibition Centre
www.pcgr.org
Granada Tourism
www.turgranada.es
Alhambra
http://www.alhambra.org/eng/index.asp?secc=/inicio&popup=1