Where is Marbella?
Marbella is one of the largest Spanish resorts located in the province of Malaga. As recently as 5-6 years ago it was very likely to be the place to meet local celebrities or even members of Spain's royal family (today Almeria has taken over).
Including the elite suburban villages (where mostly live wealthy foreigners) Marbella stretches almost 30 kilometers along the Mediterranean coast. The population of Marbella is about 140 thousand people, but in the "high season" when the marina is filled with luxury yachts, this figure rises to 200 thousand.
The national currency is the euro (EUR).
History of Marbella
It's hard to imagine, but a hundred years ago Marbella was a small fishing village - one of dozens on the coast. The remains of 3rd century Roman thermae (Marbella was founded by the Romans) were hardly the only attractions, and the local population was engaged in agriculture and fishing.
After the Second World War, however, the situation changed dramatically - the local nobility, represented by Ricardo Soriano and Alfonso de Hohenloene, did Marbella an invaluable favor. The aristocrats invited rich friends to their villas - it turned out to be the best advertisement for the local beauty! In a matter of years, Marbella's land was bought up and developed into luxury villas.
Well, the town became a fashionable resort in the 50s of the last century - it was at this time that hundreds of respectable foreigners began to flock to Marbella. Not always law-abiding ones, by the way - since Spain didn't take part in the extradition of criminals, European rich and mafiosi of all stripes, such as the legendary arms dealer Monzer Al-Kassar, fled here.
