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Cartagena Today

Introduction to 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 Military Naval base today, as well as boasting a rich heritage of Military patrimony.The History of Cartagena charts it's development and the cultures which have shaped it today.

The City is developing 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, Augusteum , the Molinete and other well preserved Roman buildings and Museums, major investment into extending the port creating a new market for cruise tourism.

However the port is also a major focal point for commercial activity, and the Escombreras Industrial area has attracted major businesses with the Repsol refinery, SABIC petrochemicals and Holcim concrete plants confined within a concealed industrial zone. Cartagenais also the home of the Regional Assembly.

The Campo de Cartagena is a major agricultural employer, flat irrigated areas producing salad crops, peppers, potatoes and courgettes, whilst non-irrigated crops include olives, carobs and almonds.

The more mountainous pedanías of Cartagena boast extensive areas of wild beaches, stretching around the coastline to Cabo de Palos, where the La Manga strip encloses the Mar Menor, giving Cartagena an extensive offering of prime sandy beaches with safe bathing conditions in Europe's largest saltwater lake.

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

Cartagena Spain has a rich cultural offering, with an important Semana Santa, the Romans and Carthaginians Fiestas, Carnival, the Mar de Músicas and Cartagena Jazz festivals, the newly inaugurated El Batel auditorium and congress centre promising an enriched cultural programme.

Where is Cartagena Spain?

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, as well as Industrial centre.

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

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

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CARTAGENA

Gunshots fired and one man stabbed as rival families clash in CartagenaAround 20 officers patrolled the VillaIba area of Cartagena to prevent further violence Historic hatred between two rival families in the VillaIba area of Cartagena came to a violent head on Monday May 23 when an exiled member of one of the families.. 24/05/2022

Murcia road workers identify yet more sections of the damaged Cedacero road in need of repairsThe budget for work to prevent landslides on the Cartagena road has more than tripled, and there are doubts whether it will reopen next month as promised During the torrential rains back in March, a sudden sinkhole appeared on the part of the RM-E22.. 24/05/2022

Cartagena unveils new animal protection lawThe new rules will allow all pets to travel on public transport in the Murcia city A new local animal welfare law was passed in Cartagena on Monday May 23 which alters eight existing pieces of legislation while introducing three new ones. ..

Playa Honda medical centre reopens after refurbishment work is finally completedThere will be one doctor and one nurse on duty for three and a half hours a day on weekdays The Playa Honda health clinic has reopened this Monday, May 23, after the refurbishment work on the building was finally completed after several months. ..

Cartagena intensifies mosquito control as populations spikeHeavy rain in March has led to worrying mosquito population growth in the Murcia city The heavy rains in March seem like a distant memory in the midst of a heatwave in the Region of Murcia, but the persistent downpours at the start of spring have&.. 23/05/2022

Bust of Alfonso X El Sabio unveiled at the Castillo de la Concepcion in CartagenaCartagena pays tribute to the Castilian King who conquered the city from the Moors in 1245 Coinciding with the celebration of International Museums Day on May 21, which is estimated to have attracted around 40,000 visitors in Cartagena, the city.. 23/05/2022

New gourmet area to be created at popular indoor market in CartagenaConversion work has already begun at Santa Florentina Market in the Murcia city Santa Florentina Market in Cartagena is to undergo a major overhaul with the creation of a gourmet area for catering traders, new internal flooring and the refurbishment.. 20/05/2022

Villas Caravaning campsite has its operating licence revoked and may be forced to closeThe popular motorhome site in La Manga has ten days to come up with a fire safety plan after having its licence taken away Villas Caravaning in La Manga del Mar Menor had its operating licence suspended on Wednesday May 18 by Cartagena City Council.. 19/05/2022

New 1km promenade to link La Gola and El Galua in La MangaCartagena has applied for 5 million euros from the EU to build the new seafront promenade The City Council of Cartagena has submitted a proposal for European funding in order to build a new promenade in La Manga that will link the Gola de Marchamalo.. 18/05/2022

Wi-Fi 6: what is it and what is the difference with 5G?The internet of the future is here, and Telecable tells us everything we need to know about Wi-Fi 6 and 5G Both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are the two most modern standards for wireless connectivity. But what’s and difference, and which one is better? ..

Increase in marijuana pollen points to growth of illegal crops in Murcia RegionA “significant increase” in pollen was registered in Cartagena, Lorca and Murcia A study of the amount of cannabis pollen in the Murcian air has detected a “significant increase” of the illegal substance in recent years, indicating.. 16/05/2022

Three cities in Murcia approach the global warming temperature danger zoneLorca has not only exceeded the Spanish temperature increase average, but the global one as well The worldwide effort to halt global warming is falling far short of expectations and nowhere is this more evident than in Spain, where an analysis of.. 16/05/2022

Bus catches fire on the A-30 from Cartagena to MurciaPassengers had to disembark on the roadside and watch the vehicle burn in Puerto de la Cadena At around 5pm yesterday, Tuesday May 10, a bus going from Cartagena to Murcia was forced to make an emergency stop at exit 150 of the A-30 after it burst.. 11/05/2022

Playa Honda medical centre to re-open on May 23Covid continues to cause concern in Cartagena after the lifting of facemask requirements After restoration and refurbishment which have been paid for by the Town Hall of Cartagena, as well as the installation of precautionary fittings made necessary.. 09/05/2022

Calblanque beaches in Murcia chosen among the 40 best in EuropeThe Guardian ranked several beaches in Spain among the most impressive in Europe Many aspects of Spanish life set it apart from other countries, such as its unique cuisine and world-famous fiestas, but the picture which most often springs to mind.. 04/05/2022

Changes to San Javier and Cartagena street market opening daysThe Mar Menor localities will soon have more street markets, open on more days Outdoor street markets are an ever-popular and free form of entertainment for many people who live in Murcia and visitors to the area. Now, a number of changes and developments.. 26/04/2022