Delays to Spain's 8 Canary Islands airports

MADRID

Spain's national airport authority AENA says the Canary Islands' eight airports have suffered delays after an unexplained power failure at a regional control center.

AENA says power failed between 1030 GMT and 1055 GMT Sunday and grounded 43 flights at six of the resort islands' airports.

Approaching aircraft were able to land, but planes departures were disrupted, causing delays at all of the archipelago's eight airports. A number of flights from Latin America were affected.

The islands, 1,380 kilometers (858 miles) off Spain's southwestern tip, are a major winter holiday destination for Europeans.

Source:businessweek.com/

Number of illegal migrants arriving in Spain falls

MADRID -- The number of illegal immigrants risking their lives in rickety boats to reach Spain's Canary Islands from northwest Africa has descended to levels last seen a decade ago, officials said Saturday.

In 2009, a total of 2,041 adults - and 201 children - arrived in the islands or were rescued as they sailed toward them, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman said.

Levels this low were last recorded a decade ago, when 2,165 people made landfall on the archipelago, made up of seven main islands - and two tiny ones - 1,380 kilometers (858 miles) off Spain's southwestern tip.

The number of immigrants began to shoot up in 2002, when 9,929 arrived, and peaked in 2006 when 31,859 had to be housed, the spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity in keeping with government rules.


More than 96,116 people have sought shelter and a chance of a better, European-style life on the islands since 1994.

The recession, which has caused unemployment in Spain to ascend to nearly 18 percent, along with coastal patrols, have helped slow immigration.

The European Union agreed in 2006 to beef up Frontex, the bloc's external borders agency, after Spain lobbied for years for more funding. In May of that year, it agreed to deploy planes, boats and rapid reaction aid teams from its member states to deal with the flood of African illegal migrants trying to reach the Canary Islands.

It is not known how many people have died trying to make the perilous ocean crossing against prevailing trade winds. However, 45 died in 2008 compared to 32 in 2009.

In February a ramshackle boat with 32 migrants aboard overturned just 20 meters (22 yards) from the northeast coast of Lanzarote and 25 of its dazed and exhausted passengers, including four children, drowned.

Source:washingtonpost.com/

Ahmadinejad: European politicians are stupid

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says "European politicians are stupid, that they know nothing about politics and even less about history". He added that "one was more stupid than the other".

According to the semi-official Fars news agency, President Ahmadinejad said "Iran's foreign enemies cannot harm the Islamic state," adding "they had planned a very complicated and wide-ranging scenario... but they don't know that a nation which is ready to sacrifice its life for its religious figures will destroy all their Satanic attempts".

Mr Ahmadinejad said European politicians erroneously believe that a ban on building minarets will restrict the Islamic religion, saying, "minarets do not cause people to believe, they are a result of belief".

At the end of November, more than 57 percent of the Swiss electorate voted in favour of a referendum banning the construction of minarets. The decision was widely condemned.

Source:rnw.nl/

Holidays in Aragon (Zaragoza, Teruel, Huesca)

The region of Aragon can be found in northeastern Spain and comprises the provinces of Zaragosa, Huesca and Teruel. The region lies approximately with the historic kingdom of Aragon and is bounded to the north by France; the south by Valencia; the east by Catalonia and on the west by the regions of Castilla la Mancha, Castilla Leon, Navarre and La Rioja. The official spoken language in Aragon is Castilian Spanish, although in some of the valleys of the Pyrenees it is possible to hear the original language of Aragonese.

Aragon is traversed by the river Ebro, which offers fish of such numbers and proportions that the Ebro is considered one of the best locations in Europe for Cat and Carp fishing. With a population of just over 1.3 million people living in Aragon, and half of them living in the capital city of Zaragoza, the region is mostly deserted with beautiful, mountainous scenery to the north, and mainly barren land in the south.

The greatest peaks of the Pyrenees Mountains can be found in Aragon with Aneto, the highest of them all, being found in the province of Huesca. In amongst the mountains can be found some beautiful secluded valleys, which remain largely un-spoilt due to their inaccessibility. Spread thinly through the valleys and plains can be found small towns and churches with great views of the rugged landscape.

The region of Aragon has three provinces whose capital cities Zaragoza, Huesca and Teruel take the same names as their province. There are many, small towns all across the region, and especially in the province of Teruel where out of the 236 municipalities, more than half the villages have a population of fewer than 200 people. In-between the villages the land is mostly deserted and quite barren.

Zaragoza, capital of Aragon
The huge Plaza del Pilar is the social centre of Zaragoza, looked over by some wonderful old monuments and fine fountains. Here can be found the Basílica del Pilar; whose domes and towers dominate the city and this is where legend has it the Virgin Mary appeared. To the west of the city centre can be found the La Aljaferia palace. An Islamic-fortress, it was once the residence of Arab kings and later by Christian kings, Aragonese kings and then by Spanish monarchs. Nowadays, the building houses Aragon's regional parliament.

Aragon Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña
Located 30km southwest of Jaca, this monastery church that is dedicated to saint John, is situated beneath a huge overhanging rock. The monastery has had special significance since Muslim times where pilgrims would stop here in the hope of viewing the Holy Grail, a Roman chalice which was hidden somewhere in the monastery. The Roman chalice is now on view in Valencia Cathedral. The lower church represents the heart of the monastery that was founded in 920. On the second floor is the Pantheon where can be seen the tombs of noblemen from both Aragon and Navarre. Inside the apse of the High Church of San Juan can be seen a replica of the Holy Grail which was kept inside the walls to protect it against Muslim invasion.

Ordesa National Park
Declared a national park in 1918, an area of more than 15,600 hectares is now protected in the Biosphere Reserve or Ordesa as declared by UNESCO is 1997. Most of the park is limestone and a retreating glacier still exists on the north face of Monte Pedido, the third largest mountain in the Pyrenees. The park's dramatic mountain scenery comprises of limestone cliffs, canyons, caves, chasms and crystal-clear streams with forests of pine, birch, ash, willow and oak. Great birds fly the skies including the royal eagle, hawks, royal owls, ospreys and the snow partridge, while on the ground can be seen the marmot, wild boar, chamois and the red deer. The park is open all year round but the months between April and October offer the best conditions for walking and hiking.

Aragon is a wonderful region of Spain to visit. The Pyrenees Mountains offer wonderful dramatic scenery to the north and the ancient cities of Zaragoza, Teruel and Huesca have many important historical buildings. If you are looking for a different holiday experience in Spain, Aragon may just be the location of choice.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Buying holiday property in Spain

Buying a holiday property in Spain, like buying a property in England, is most likely to be one of the biggest purchases we make in our life. Therefore, it is never advisable to be in too much of a hurry and rush into a deal without full consideration. It is well worth taking the time to look around your chosen area and make sure you have a clear picture of the relative prices and types of property available.

The Costa del Sol is a very popular region of Spain and life can be very different depending on which town you choose to live in. It is also well worth considering spending some time visiting the town of choice to see what amenities, nightlife and places of interest are available. Out of season, holiday resorts can appear very different with few people in the streets, deserted beaches, cold nights and occasional rain. Visiting at this time of year will help you to decide whether this is your ideal holiday destination. With Torrox and Nerja being voted as having the best climate in Europe, the weather is probably the one thing not to put you off living in Spain.

OFF-PLAN & RESALE PROPERTIES
Off-plan involves buying a property yet to be build either from an Estate Agent, or directly from a developer and is typically cheaper than purchasing a resale property. Another advantage of off-plan is that you usually have a say in some of the specifications, fittings, and possibly even the furnishings of the completed property. It is advisable to get a good Spanish lawyer to draw up a cast-iron contract and ensure the developer has obtained all the required licences, owns the land and there are no outstanding mortgages or loans on the property. This is especially important as all loans are taken out on the property itself rather than the owner of the property.

PROPERTY PURCHASE COSTS
The costs associated with a property purchase in Spain are around 10% of the property purchase price. If property values increase at an average of 3% per year, then it will take 3 years to recover the costs associated with buying. There are many fashionable areas in Spain whose properties have greatly benefited from the huge increase in foreign investors over the past 5 years pushing up prices considerably, but there are still bargains to be found.

SPANISH MORTGAGES
Typical loans that are available are 60% for non-residents and 80% for residents of the declared property value. Original documents must be shown when obtaining a mortgage that usually includes passport, driving licence, last 3 months pay slips and P60 for British people buying abroad.

INMOBILIARIAS (ESTATE AGENTS)
There are many Inmobiliarias in Spain that typically have many different types of property to view including apartments, villas, townhouses, fincas and rural properties. Commissions vary considerably and a typical value of 6% is not uncommon. It is a good idea to ensure that the Estate Agent you choose to buy a property from has a good reputation, is officially registered and holds a licence.

SPANISH LAW
When buying a property in Spain, it is important to check with the local Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) for debts, charges, mortgages and court orders as these are registered against the property and not the owner. If you purchase a property with outstanding debt, then this will be transferred to yourself. Within two months of signing the Escritura (Property Deeds), ownership must be registered with the local Town Hall within 2 months.

TAXES
Wealth Tax is charged annually at 0.2% for residents and 0.7% for non-residents of the value of the property. Residents also have the added benefit of the first 108,000 euros being exempt. Capital Gains Tax is charged on any profit you have made when you decide to sell your property. Residents are charged at the lower price of 20% as compared to 35% for non-residents. A further concession for residents is total exemption from Capital Gains Tax if aged over 65 and have lived in the property for at least 3 years.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
Above all, when purchasing a property in Spain ensure you get yourself a good Spanish Lawyer who is fluent in your language, and who knows the complexities of the Spanish buying process. The nearest UK Consular Office will supply a list of local Lawyers. Legal fees are typically 1-1.5% of the purchase price, but do agree on a price beforehand. The Lawyer should be able to warn of any potential problems, draw up an initial pre-sale contract, handle the customary 10% deposit and accompany you to see the Notary for final exchange of contracts.

A good Lawyer will ensure you end up with a property that is legally yours and free from financial debt. There are pitfalls with buying a property in any country, but by taking your time and doing a little local research, you should end up with your ideal place in the sun.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Tips On The City Of Malaga In Spain

This Malaga city overview will help you plan your vacation. There is a lot to do in this city. Malaga is home to several museums allowing you to enjoy the history, art and culture of the area. The market area and the surrounding area is a great place for shopping, eating and enjoying the night life in the city. Become familiar with the attractions to help you create an itinerary for your vacation.

Malaga is the second largest city in Andalucia. It is located on the Costa del Sol. Malaga city is the capital of the Malaga province. The region is well known for wine production, fresh seafood and beautiful weather. The Malaga airport is convenient to the city and offers discount flights from several airlines.

Malaga City Overview: Museums

The Picasso Museum honors this city’s most famous resident. Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga. The museum is dedicated to the life and works of the artist. The home where Picasso was born is located not far from the museum. The home has been preserved and is now the headquarters of the Picasso Foundation.

There are two museums located on the site of the Alcazaba Castle. The Archaeological Museum contains a variety of Greek and Gothic artifacts. Also on the site is the Museo de la Ceramica. This museum is dedicated to pottery and has a variety of pottery from many historical periods. A first century Roman theater is also located on the grounds.

The castle is built on the remains of an ancient Roman fortress. The castle was expanded in the fourteenth century. This is one of the oldest castles in Spain. You will get to experience the history of this city when you tour the castle.

Malaga is home to a few other museums as well. The city museum is located in the old part of town. The Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions is an interesting place to visit. This museum contains art from local artists of different periods including modern art.

Malaga City Overview: Attractions

The Cathedral is one of the best known buildings in the city. The area where the cathedral stands was originally the site of a mosque. Construction on the cathedral started in 1528. Construction continued off and on over the next few centuries. It was stopped in 1783, when the money ran out. The south tower is still not finished. You will observe many different styles of architecture in this building.

The market area is located just west of the Cathedral. Both are located in the old part of the town. You will know the market hall by the elaborate marble entrance. Here you will find the best the city has to offer for sale. There are fresh fish, seafood, fresh flowers and vegetables for sale.

In the area surrounding the market, there are a variety of restaurants. Fresh seafood is always on the menu. This area is also home to several bars. If you are looking to enjoy some night life during your visit, this is where you will find it.

The harbor area is another popular spot in Malaga. There is a great view of the water when walking along this area. There is also a nice park near the harbor area to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather in this area. A bullfighting arena is located in this part of the city and is another popular tourist attraction.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com