Algeciras has with 120.000 inhabitants the highest population in the Campo of Gibraltar. Algeciras has the most important port for merchandise and container shipments.

The name Algerciras orginiates to the Arab al-Yazirat al Hadrá, given to the town in the year 711 by the first moslems who arrived on the Iberian peninsula. The town is located on the eastern part of the Bay of Algeciras, just in front of Gibraltar and its bordering towns are Los Barrios to the east and Tarifa to the west.

From 711 until the 14th Century, lived Algeciras its greatest splendor, even though, it was destroyed in 1379 when its inhabitants deserted the town. However, in the 20th Century, it was to resurge from the ashes, first with the first constitution of the workers union of the harbour of Algeciras in 1906 and then with the Christian re-population. Algeciras had 12.000 inhabitants in 1900 and this number grew to the 120.000 of today.

However, this resurrection of Algeciras after its destruction, has much to do with the English invasion in Gibraltar. The neighbours of Gibraltar escaped the town and founded what is today known as San Roque, others however, went to Algeciras, reactivating the live of this town.

The date 1906 is historical, not only for the harbour work union, which nowadays is the authority of the port of Algeciras, but more so for the African conference in Algeciras, something which does not need further comment.

Of the builings in Algeciras, we'd like to point out the Roman furnace of Rinconcillo, the archeological park of Las Murrallas Merinies, the town hall, The Plaza alta or the Hotel eina Cristina, build more than 100 years ago.

Of its beaches, we point out the Rinconcillo and the Getares and of its most celebre personalities: Paco de Lucia.