The Costa Calida (the "Warm Coast") spans the province of Murcia in the south-east corner of Spain and sits between the regions of
Andalucia, Castile La Mancha and Valencia. It has a climate all of its own with relatively higher annual temperatures (averaging 20șC) than neighbouring
regions, and a lower annual rainfall. Given that the average temperature is quite high, the extremes are quite severe with the heat of summer regularly
reaching over 40șC whilst frost is often witnessed in winter.
Towards the north of the Costa Calida lies the Mar Menor, Europe's largest saltwater lagoon which is sheltered from the Mediterranea Sea
by La Manga, a strip of land 22km long and which apart from a few channels encloses the whole lagoon. This creates a shoreline of unprotected beaches
and wild waves along with another, inner shoreline, of small coves with gently lapping waters which are perfect for all manner of water sports.
The towns of Cartagena and Mazarron are two of the larger coastal towns and the cosmopolitan city of Murcia, the regions capital,
lies around 45 km inland in the centre of a fertile plain known as "the huerta" (orchard or vineyard) and surrounded by mountains.
There are many protected natural areas in the Costa Calida region which, unsurprisingly, are of great interest to naturalists where
many species of flora and fauna can be found amongst the sand
dunes, beaches and salt water lagoons.
The airport of Murcia-San Javier on the edge of the Mar Menor serves the region with international flights arriving and departing daily
bringing tourists and holiday home owners from (mainly) the northern European countries.
The La Manga club can also be found in the Costa Calida region and is a World Travel Awards winning resort with three world class golf
course, a magnificent tennis centre and facilities for almost any type of sporting activity.
