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The most southerly point of Europe, 11 km (7 miles) from Africa. Tarifa was the first town taken by the Moors in AD 710. Today it is a favoured spot for windsurfing.

This rich custard pudding or flan (“heavenly bacon”) is made by nuns in Jerez de la Frontera and elsewhere in Cádiz Province.

Both of these dishes are ubiquitous not just in Andalucía but all over Spain. The first is a dense potato omelette with onions, fried into a savoury cake. It is served cold by the slice and is so filling it can make a full meal. The second consists of fried potato wedges served with a spicy sauce.

This soft sheep’s cheese from Córdoba Province is typical of the regional type: strong in taste. The cheese is preserved in olive oil and enhanced with herbs.

Artichokes and asparagus were introduced by the Moors; potatoes and tomatoes came from the New World. Wild mushrooms also grow here.

Of all the pueblos blancos (see Pueblos Blancos), this one has kept its Moorish roots most intact. Its original four Moorish gates still stand and its labyrinthine streets seem barely to have changed in 1,000 years.

The various weaving arts are well represented in Andalucía. Wickerwork and basketry are notable in Almería, Níjar, Jerez, Lanjarón and Jaén. Jarapas (handwoven rugs and blankets) are famous in Almería Province, as well as in Arcos de la Frontera and Grazalema in Cádiz Province, Las Alpujarras and Jaén Province.

Málaga’s sweet wines come from Moscatel and Pedro Ximenez grapes, while fruity Condado wines are produced from Zalema grapes.

Any dish can be an excuse to slather on the alioli . Two dishes that often have mayonnaise are patatas alioli and ensaladilla .

Furniture manufacture of high-quality mahogany items takes place in Cádiz Province, while Ronda is known for its rustic styles and Granada Province is reputed for Mudéjar (Capiliera ) and Renaissance (Baza ) styles. Also of note, of course, are Andalucían guitars, with excellent examples created in Algodonales (Cádiz Province) and Marmolejo (Jaén Province), as well as in the main centres of Granada, Córdoba and Seville.