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The Alpujarra is a natural and historical region in Andalucía, Spain, on the south slopes of the Sierra Nevada and the adjacent valley.〔http://www.andalucia.com/villages/alpujarras.htm, retrieved 2014-08-18〕 The average elevation is 4,000 feet above sea level.〔http://www.andalucia.com/villages/alpujarras.htm, retrieved 2014-08-18〕 It extends over two provinces, Granada and Almería; it is sometimes referred to in the plural as "Las Alpujarras". There are several interpretations of this Arabic name: the most convincing is that it derives from ''al-bugsharra'', meaning something like "sierra of pastures". The administrative centre is Órgiva. Trevélez, at 4,840 feet (1486 metres) above sea level, is the highest village in Europe.〔http://www.andalucia.com/villages/alpujarras.htm, retrieved 2014-08-18〕 The Sierra Nevada runs west-to-east for about 80 km. It includes the two highest mountains in mainland Spain: the Mulhacén at 3479 m. and the Veleta, just a little lower. As the name implies, it is covered with snow in winter. The snow-melt in the spring and summer allows the southern slopes of the Sierra to remain green and fertile throughout the year, despite the heat of the summer sun. Water emerges from innumerable springs; human intervention has channelled it to terraced plots and to the villages. Olives are grown on the lower slopes, and in the valley below which extends from Órgiva to Cadiar, through which flows the Guadalfeo river, plentiful water, a milder climate and fertile land favour the cultivation of grapes, citrus and other fruit. There is also a developing production of quality wine on the hills between this valley and the sea, and almond trees thrive on its southern slopes. The eastern end of the Alpujarra, towards Ugijar in the province of Almería, is much more arid. ==Historical background== The terracing and the irrigation of the hillsides (the "Alta Alpujarra") was the work of Berbers, who inhabited this area after the Moorish invasion of 711 AD. They also created villages on the hillsides in the style to which they were accustomed in the mountains of North Africa: narrow, winding streets and small flat-roofed houses. The Catholic "Reconquista" of Spain progressed to the extent that by 1462 only the Emirate of Granada - including the Alpujarra - was left in Moorish hands; and in 1492 the city of Granada fell to the "Catholic Monarchs". Their attempts to force Christianity on the Moslem inhabitants led to successive revolts, in particular that which began in 1568. It was a fierce struggle, in which the Spaniards had to deploy large forces against this rural population. There was much cruelty on both sides. The revolt ended with the death of the last Moorish leader in March 1571. The Catholic Monarchs ordered the expulsion of Moors from the territory of Granada, who were taken in forced marches to other parts of Spain. Only a few, considered to have genuinely converted to Christianity, were allowed to remain, so as to teach the new inhabitants the silk industry (which they were unable to maintain). Starting in 1571, settlers were brought in from all over Spain; many came from as far away as Galicia. Though they were given various financial incentives, the re-settlement provided difficult. The population of the Alpujarra, reckoned at about 40,000 before the final revolt, was only about 7,000 by the end of the century. The isolation of this mountain region caused it to remain poor and backward, until during the 20th century it was gradually opened up by improved roads. The Civil War of 1936-39 was disastrous, as the opposing Nationalist and Republican forces fought over the area. Some villages changed hands more than once, and each time the victor exacted retribution over the vanquished. Even after the Nationalist victory in April 1939, guerrilla fighters in the mountains continued their struggle against the Guardia Civil and a locally-recruited militia (Somatén) based in the villages. This conflict - which terrorized the villagers, caught between two fires - did not end till 1942 when the guerrilla leader was captured. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Alpujarras」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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