The province is subject to extremewater stress in the wake of the proliferation ofavocado plantations in theAxarquía region, with the arid local climate being unsuitable to the plant's large water demands.[2]
The province of Málaga has an area of 7,308 square kilometres (2,822 sq mi) and a population of 1,652,999 (2013), concentrated mainly in the metropolitan area ofMálaga, the provincial capital, and throughout the coastal area. The population density surpasses both the Andalusia and Spanish averages, reaching 222.53 inhabitants per km2. Málaga contains102 municipalities. Besides the capital, the main cities areMarbella,Mijas,Fuengirola,Vélez-Málaga,Torremolinos,Estepona, andBenalmádena, all in the coastal zone. The towns ofAntequera andRonda are located in the interior.
The prevailing climate is a warm Mediterranean, with dry and warm long summers with short mild winters. The geographical relief varies greatly from zone to zone. In general, the coastal zone has a subtropicalMediterranean climate. To the north, acontinental Mediterranean climate exists with cold, dry winters and warm summers.
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