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Cartagena Today

The city of Cartagena

Cartagena is a city of contrasts, its rich cultural and military history merely a backdrop for the industrial and commercial activity which supports the second largest city in the Region of Murcia.

Its natural strategic port has offered shelter to traders for thousands of years, and the rich mines of the Sierra Minera provided a reason for the frequent wars which were fought in order to possess it, Cartagena still being a major naval base today, as well as boasting a rich military heritage of patrimony. The history of Cartagena charts its development and the cultures which have shaped it today.

The city has developed a lucrative tourism industry based on the number of historical places which tourists can visit and enjoy, including the RomanTheatre Museum, ARQUA, MURAM, Casa de la Fortuna, Cartagena Municipal Archaeology Museum, the Augusteum, the Molinete and other well preserved Roman buildings and museums.

In addition there has been major investment in the creation of a new market for cruise ship tourism.

Cartagena

These days the port remains a major focal point for commercial activity, and the Escombreras industrial area has attracted major businesses including the Repsol refinery, SABIC petrochemicals and Holcim concrete plants within a concealed industrial zone. Cartagena is also the home of the regional parliament building of Murcia.

The Campo de Cartagena is a major source of agricultural employment, copnsisting of flat and fertile irrigated areas where salad crops, peppers, potatoes and courgettes are grown, while non-irrigated crops include olives, carobs and almonds.

The more mountainous outlying districts of Cartagena boast extensive areas of beaches, stretching around the coastline from Isla Plana in the west to Cabo de Palos in the east. Here, the spit of La Manga del Mar Menor encloses the Mar Menor, giving Cartagena an extensive offering of prime sandy beaches with safe bathing conditions in Europe's largest saltwater lagoon.

This in turn creates a varied leisure industry, with watersports, a motor racing circuit, some of the best diving facilities in Europe and one of Spain's most prestigious golf and residential complexes, La Manga Club, all creating leisure and tourism opportunities for local businesses.

Cartagena has a rich cultural offering, with important Semana Santa and Romans and Carthaginians fiestas, Carnival, the Mar de Músicas and Cartagena Jazz festivals. The El Batel auditorium and congress centre enhances an already rich cultural programme.

LOCATION

Click for map, Cartagena Spain

There is often confusion on map searches as there is another Cartagena in Columbia. Cartagena Spain is located in the south of the region of Murcia and is a major port and industrial centre.

The municipality of Cartagena covers an area of 558 square kilometres, with a population of 218,000 making it the second most populated municipality of the 45 in the Region of Murcia.

It shares boundaries with Torre Pacheco, Los Alcázares, La Unión, Mazarrón and Fuente Álamo.

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CARTAGENA

Themed visits to the Cartagena Roman Theatre and more to discover this autumnPerformances in Spanish and visits to the western portico are some of the plans proposed for this great autumn season The Roman Theatre of Cartagena opens this autumn with new opening hours. From Tuesday to Saturday the opening times are now from.. 04/10/2024

Cartagena to welcome more than 35,000 cruise tourists in OctoberMultiple cruises are scheduled this month in the city The port city of Cartagena is preparing for a boatload of visitors this October as it gears itself for the arrival of more than 35,000 cruise tourists. The peak tourist season continues.. 02/10/2024

Cartagena's Espacio Mediterráneo shopping centre gets a new children's play parkThe renovated Parque Mediterráneo space pays homage to the Isaac Peral submarine The Espacio Mediterráneo shopping centre in Cartagena has recently unveiled a new recreational area, offering a fresh and engaging space for families.. 01/10/2024

House owners can now get a grant for solar panels in CartagenaA mobile office will be travelling through the affected neighbourhoods informing residents of the opportunity Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena Cartagena City Council has opened the application process for municipal aid for the "energy.. 01/10/2024

Club MMGR Mar Menor Golf Resort Padel Sunday SocialEvery Sunday at Club MMGR Mar Menor Golf Resort join in the Pádel Sunday Social Have fun and make new friends at the Club MMGR Mar Menor Golf Resort’s Pádel Sunday Social which takes place every Sunday between 6pm and 7.30pm. Play a..

A New Life In The Sun TV crew are back at Club MMGR Mar Menor Golf ResortClub MMGR Mar Menor Golf Resort is the star of the show again as “A New Life In The Sun” returns A New Life In The Sun TV crew are back at Club MMGR Mar Menor Golf Resort! Friday September 27 filming all day! Fancy being famous for the.. 27/09/2024

Outrage as ancient Iberian settlement in Los Nietos is put up for sale againLocals have demanded action to protect the historic site, which they believe is being neglected An ancient Iberian settlement within Los Nietos is once again up for sale, sparking outrage among local residents. The plot of land, which is located near.. 26/09/2024

Murcia-Cartagena train restarts, two months laterWork on the Riquelme-Sucina and La Palma-Pozo Estrecho sections have finished, and normal train operations resume As of this Tuesday September 24, Spanish rail operator Renfe is reestablishing the train service between Murcia city and Cartagena. &.. 24/09/2024

Understanding Spain's Digital Nomad Visa and how to get oneWorking remotely from Spain is a great opportunity to make your dreams of living in the sun a reality The Digital Nomad Visa is a great opportunity for foreigners who wish to live in Spain while working remotely. This visa caters to those employed.. 23/09/2024

16-apartment new-build complex in Isla Plana given Town Hall approvementConfidence appears to be high in the health of the property market in La Azohía and Isla Plana The Urbanismo Committee of the Town Hall of Cartagena has given its approval to an application to enable a complex of 16 apartments to be built on Isla.. 21/09/2024

Club MMGR wins Padel Intermediate Irish National ChampionshipsTeam from Club MMGR, Mar Menor Golf Resort academy wins Pádel Intermediate Irish National Championships Club MMGR, Mar Menor Golf Resort are very pleased to share the brilliant achievement of Callum Hughes and Josué Govea Moya in the Pá.. 17/09/2024

Cartagena Mayor asks for tolls to be scrapped on AP-7 motorway for residents and holidaymakersThe Mayor of Cartagena asks the Ministry for free AP-7 for residents and holidaymakers after studying the benefits The Mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, has announced that she will send a letter to the Minister of Transport requesting the reduction and.. 13/09/2024

The best natural balconies with Mediterranean views in the Region of Murcia!Top viewing points from La Manga del Mar Menor to Águilas Source: ITREM Wherever you go in the Mediterranean, if offered the choice you’ll always opt for a place with a balcony and a sea view, and in the Region of Murcia nature provides a..

4 impressive underwater caves to delight divers in the Region of MurciaSome of the most spectacular scenery in Murcia is hidden just below the surface of the Mediterranean! The Region of Murcia is well known for its warm climate and beautiful coastline, but hidden just a few metres below the surface of the sea are a range of..

These are the beaches in Murcia that could disappear within a decadeA number of coastal areas in the Region of Murcia are at risk, according to a new Greenpeace report In many coastal parts of Spain, including the Region of Murcia, the problems of overconstruction, pollution and the building of artificial barriers.. 24/07/2024

Pinatar Arena San Pedro del Pinatar chosen as an official training base for 2030 World CupThe well-equipped Pinatar Arena joins Grand Hyatt La Manga Club, DoubleTree by Hilton at La Torre Golf and Alhama Arena to be sub-venues in the Region of Murcia for the 2030 World Cup Pinatar Arena, San Pedro del Pinatar has been selected as an official.. 22/07/2024

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