One of the best characterised enclaves in the entire peninsular territory. It is the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula and the closest point to Africa.
Influences: Phoenicians, Tartessans, Romans, and Arabs until the Castilian conquest: 13th Century by Alfonso X the Wise. Roman Remains:
-Baelo Claudia: Bolonia, 12 kilometres west of Tarifa.
-Mellaria: near Baelo and Julia Traducta (Tarifa), on the Northern bank of the Strait.
Geographic Location:Atlantic Coast - Los Alcornocales Natural Park. It boasts the largest coastal area in the province (from the Zahara to the Tolmo inlet, 40 kilometres of salty, rocky beaches, the Bolonia and Valdevaqueros Inlets and the Las Palomas Island). Total Surface Area: 419 square kilometres.
The de la Jara River is found in the western area of Tarifa, de la Jara, receiving the water flow from the brooks of the Saladavieja and Ojén Mountain Ranges, in addition to the mountain areas up to the El Cabrito Mountain Range.
The territory is served by National Route 340 Cadiz-Barcelona (40 kilometres). Along this route one finds two of the area’s most important villages, Facinas and Tahivilla, the former connects to a secondary route which brings you to Alcalà de los Gazules, Los Barrios and the Algeciras Bay. Another important road is that which passes through Bolonia and connects the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Luz (the Virgin of the Light Sanctuary) with Facinas through the mountains of Salaviciosa, Fates and Enmedio. The town is reclaiming the essential function which it deserves as a result of its privileged geographic location.
Its demographics have suffered as a result of brusque changes due to the varying economic situations of its population which was forced to emigrate. It currently has 17,119 inhabitants.
It offers a temperate-warm climate; with an average temperature of 17º C. It enjoys more than 3000 hours of sun a year and receives westerly and easterly winds.