# Nerja > municipality and town in Andalusia, Spain **Wikidata**: [Q13149](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13149) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerja) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nerja ## Summary Nerja is a municipality and town located in the province of Málaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, southern Spain. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Nerja is part of the Axarquía comarca and is renowned for its proximity to the famous Cueva de Nerja (Nerja Cave), a significant archaeological site containing prehistoric cave paintings. The town serves as both a residential community and a popular tourist destination along the Costa del Sol. ## Key Facts - **Location:** Nerja is a municipality and town in Andalusia, Spain, located in Málaga Province - **Geographic Coordinates:** Latitude 36.7468571°, Longitude -3.8790195° - **Administrative Region:** Part of the Axarquía comarca in the province of Málaga - **Country:** Spain (Kingdom of Spain) - **Website:** http://www.nerja.es/ - **Administrative Classification:** Municipality of Spain (administrative territorial entity of Spain, inception: 1842) - **Notable Natural Feature:** Cueva de Nerja (cave in southern Spain) - **Population:** Historical population figures include 22,918; 22,617; 22,294; 21,957; 21,811; 21,621; 20,796; 20,361; 19,496; 18,509; 17,186; 16,464; 20,649; 21,185; 21,204; 21,047; 21,061; 21,091; 21,144; 21,018; 21,450; 21,913; 22,187; 22,132 - **Wikipedia Title:** Nerja - **Wikidata Description:** municipality and town in Andalusia, Spain ## FAQs **Where is Nerja located in Spain?** Nerja is a municipality and town situated in the province of Málaga, within the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is part of the Axarquía comarca and lies along the Mediterranean coast, approximately 50 kilometers east of Málaga city. **What is Nerja known for?** Nerja is best known for the Cueva de Nerja (Nerja Cave), a significant cave system in southern Spain containing prehistoric cave paintings. The town itself serves as both a residential municipality and a tourist destination along the Costa del Sol, offering beaches, coastal scenery, and access to historical sites. **What administrative region does Nerja belong to?** Nerja is part of the Axarquía comarca in the province of Málaga, within the autonomous community of Andalusia. As a municipality of Spain, it is an administrative territorial entity that has been established since 1842, following the municipal reorganization of Spain. **What are the geographic coordinates of Nerja?** Nerja is located at latitude 36.7468571° North and longitude 3.8790195° West, placing it on the eastern section of the Costa del Sol in the province of Málaga. **What is the official website of Nerja?** The official website of the Nerja municipality is http://www.nerja.es/, providing information about local government, services, and tourism for the area. ## Why It Matters Nerja holds significance as a municipality that embodies the blend of historical heritage and coastal tourism that characterizes the Costa del Sol region. The town's association with the Cueva de Nerja connects it to Spain's prehistoric past, as this cave system contains some of the most important archaeological findings in the Iberian Peninsula. The cave has been dated to various periods of human occupation, providing valuable insights into the lives of early inhabitants of southern Spain. From an administrative perspective, Nerja represents the municipal structure established in Spain following the reorganization of 1842, which created the framework for local governance that persists today. As part of the Axarquía comarca, Nerja participates in regional cooperation and shares cultural, geographic, and economic characteristics with neighboring municipalities in this distinctive area of Málaga Province. The municipality's population figures demonstrate its role as a permanent residential community that also accommodates seasonal tourism flows, making it representative of the coastal settlement patterns along the Mediterranean. The town's economy benefits from both its agricultural hinterland and its tourism sector, contributing to the broader economic structure of Andalusia. ## Notable For - **Prehistoric Heritage:** Home to Cueva de Nerja, one of Spain's most significant cave systems with prehistoric cave paintings - **Coastal Location:** Situated on the Mediterranean coast of the Costa del Sol in the province of Málaga - **Administrative History:** Established as a municipality of Spain since 1842 - **Regional Identity:** Part of the Axarquía comarca, a distinctive administrative and cultural region of Málaga Province ## Body ### Geography and Location Nerja is positioned on the Mediterranean coast of southern Spain, specifically in the eastern portion of the Costa del Sol. The municipality lies within the province of Málaga, which is part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. The town's geographic coordinates are 36.7468571° North latitude and 3.8790195° West longitude, placing it along a stretch of coastline characterized by cliffs, beaches, and the mountainous terrain that extends inland from the Mediterranean. The municipality is part of the Axarquía comarca, an administrative region that encompasses several municipalities in the eastern part of Málaga Province. This comarca is known for its distinctive geography, which includes coastal areas, mountainous zones, and fertile valleys where agricultural activities persist. The proximity of Nerja to the Sierra de Almijara mountain range contributes to the dramatic landscape that defines the area. ### Administrative Structure Nerja functions as a municipality (municipio) within the Kingdom of Spain, following the administrative territorial framework established in 1842. This municipal structure represents the basic unit of local government in Spain, providing essential public services to residents and administering local affairs. As part of the province of Málaga, Nerja falls under the governance of the provincial delegation of the central Spanish government while maintaining autonomy over local matters through the town council (ayuntamiento). The municipality is classified within the broader administrative hierarchy of Spain, which includes 17 autonomous communities, 50 provinces, and over 8,100 municipalities. Nerja's status as a municipality grants it legal personality, the ability to levy local taxes, and responsibility for services such as urban planning, waste management, local police, and cultural activities. ### Historical Significance The historical importance of Nerja is closely tied to the Cueva de Nerja, a cave system located within the municipal boundaries that contains prehistoric cave paintings and artifacts. These archaeological remains provide evidence of human occupation in the area dating back thousands of years, making the cave a site of considerable historical and cultural significance for understanding the prehistoric societies of the Iberian Peninsula. The establishment of Nerja as a formal municipality in 1842 corresponds to the broader municipal reorganization that followed the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and subsequent legislative changes that defined the structure of local government in modern Spain. This period marked the transition from older forms of territorial administration to the municipal system that continues to operate today. ### Population and Demographics Nerja has maintained a stable population throughout its history as recorded in the available data. The population figures show variations over time, with counts including 22,918; 22,617; 22,294; 21,957; 21,811; 21,621; 20,796; 20,361; 19,496; 18,509; 17,186; 16,464; 20,649; 21,185; 21,204; 21,047; 21,061; 21,091; 21,144; 21,018; 21,450; 21,913; 22,187; and 22,132 residents across different years. These figures reflect the town's evolution as both a permanent residential community and a destination that attracts seasonal visitors, particularly during the summer months when tourism activity peaks. The population dynamics of Nerja are influenced by its coastal location, tourism economy, and proximity to larger urban centers in Málaga Province. The municipality serves as a home for permanent residents while also accommodating the temporary population that arrives during holiday periods, creating a dual character typical of many Mediterranean coastal towns. ### Cultural and Natural Heritage The Cueva de Nerja stands as the most significant cultural landmark associated with the municipality. This cave system, situated in the Sierra de Almijara mountains near the coast, contains one of the most important collections of prehistoric cave art in Spain. The paintings and artifacts found within the cave have been dated to various periods, including the Upper Paleolithic era, providing valuable information about the artistic expressions and daily lives of early human populations in the region. Beyond the cave, Nerja's cultural identity is shaped by its Andalusian heritage, reflected in local traditions, architecture, and the general lifestyle of the Mediterranean coast. The town's position within Andalusia connects it to the broader cultural tapestry of this autonomous community, which is known for its flamenco music, bullfighting traditions, festivals, and distinctive culinary practices. ### Economic Profile The economy of Nerja is primarily driven by tourism, which benefits from the town's coastal location, beaches, and proximity to the Cueva de Nerja. The tourism sector supports various businesses including hotels, restaurants, retail establishments, and recreational services that cater to both day-trippers and longer-stay visitors. The seasonal nature of tourism creates economic fluctuations that are typical of coastal destinations in the Mediterranean. In addition to tourism, the local economy includes agricultural activities in the surrounding areas, particularly the cultivation of crops suited to the Mediterranean climate. The combination of tourism and agriculture provides economic diversity while reflecting the traditional economic patterns of the Axarquía region. ### Regional Connections Nerja's relationship with the Axarquía comarca defines much of its regional identity and administrative cooperation. The Axarquía region encompasses municipalities that share geographic, cultural, and economic characteristics, including the mountainous interior, the coastal strip, and the agricultural valleys. Cooperation among municipalities in the comarca addresses issues such as infrastructure development, tourism promotion, and environmental conservation. The town's location within Málaga Province connects it to the provincial capital of Málaga, which serves as the primary urban center for the region and provides access to higher-level services, transportation hubs, and cultural institutions. The province of Málaga is one of Spain's most visited destinations, with the Costa del Sol attracting millions of international tourists annually. ### Administrative Classification Nerja is classified as a municipality of Spain (municipio de España), which is an administrative territorial entity defined under Spanish law. The municipal classification system in Spain traces its origins to the constitutional reforms of the early nineteenth century, with the specific inception date of the modern municipal framework established around 1842. This classification places Nerja within the hierarchy of Spanish territorial organization, which includes municipalities as the lowest level of administrative division below provinces and autonomous communities. As a municipality, Nerja is governed by a town council (Ayuntamiento de Nerja) composed of elected officials who oversee local administration, public services, and municipal regulations. The council operates within the legal framework established by Spanish law and the statutes of the autonomous community of Andalusia. ### International Context While Nerja itself is a local entity, it exists within the broader context of Spain's international presence and relationships. Spain, as a sovereign state and member of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations, provides the national framework within which Nerja operates. The town's residents are citizens of Spain and the European Union, benefiting from the rights and obligations associated with these memberships. The Cueva de Nerja, as a site of archaeological significance, contributes to Spain's cultural heritage on the international stage, attracting scholars and tourists from around the world. This connection to Spain's broader cultural and historical narrative positions Nerja within the international context of heritage preservation and archaeological research. ## References 1. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition) 2. [2020](https://andalucia.notariado.org/liferay/c/document_library/get_file?=11510482&folderId=15173850&name=DLFE-1486391.pdf) 3. Register of Local Entities 4. [Boletín Oficial de la Junta de Andalucía. 2003](http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/boja/boletines/2003/59/d/updf/d1.pdf) 5. OpenStreetMap 6. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/spain/timezones.php) 7. [Source](https://esnerja.com) 8. Municipal Register of Spain 2013 9. Municipal Register of Spain 2012 10. Municipal Register of Spain 2011 11. Municipal Register of Spain 2010 12. Municipal Register of Spain 2009 13. Municipal Register of Spain 2008 14. Municipal Register of Spain 2007 15. Municipal Register of Spain 2006 16. Municipal Register of Spain 2005 17. Municipal Register of Spain 2004 18. Municipal Register of Spain 2002 19. Municipal Register of Spain 2001 20. Municipal Register of Spain 2014 21. Municipal Register of Spain 2015 22. Municipal Register of Spain 2016 23. Municipal Register of Spain 2017 24. Municipal Register of Spain 2018 25. [Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero. National Statistics Institute](http://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/index.htm?padre=525) 26. Municipal Register of Spain 2019 27. Municipal Register of Spain 2020 28. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021 29. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022 30. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023 31. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024 32. Municipal Register of Spain of 2025 33. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019 34. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525) 35. [Source](https://www.ine.es/uc/eq7vWLDA) 36. GeoNames 37. [Nerja - Costa del Sol - Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nerja+-+Costa+del+Sol/@36.7476326,-3.8798358,15z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x175f6fab15d0f1b2!2sMuseo+de+Nerja.!8m2!3d36.7467526!4d-3.877605!3m4!1s0xd72250d8a30b519:0x6a478c1f1dd7ef7b!8m2!3d36.7445322!4d-3.875925) 38. [Nerja - Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nerja,+M%C3%A1laga,+Spain/@36.7897441,-3.8397403,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0xd7224140ee51c49:0x403d278a576e700!8m2!3d36.7859161!4d-3.8044831) 39. Límites municipales, provinciales y autonómicos 40. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File