Iznájar (Spain)

Iznájar is a town and municipal area in the province of Córdoba in Andalucia, southern Spain. Located at 37°15′N 4°18′W, it lies on the Genil river approximately 110 km from the provincial capital of Córdoba very close to the borders with both Málaga and Granada provinces at a height of 539 metres above sea level. The municipality covers an area of 136 km2 and in 2005 had a population of 4,960 inhabitants, with a population density of 36.5 people per km2. The village itself is situated on top of a huge rocky outcropping overlooking the Iznajar Reservoir, the largest in the whole of Andalucía, which is frequented throughout the warm season as a beach. The principal economic activity of the area is the cultivation of olives although tourism is increasingly becoming an economic factor. Iznájar is a classic "pueblo blanco", or white village. It is surrounded by its "aldeas" - sub villages including La Celada, El Higueral, Solerche to name but three. There are many places to stay, from hotels through to bed & breakfasts to houses or apartments to rent. The whole of the area of Iznájar has a vibrant social life with many fiestas celebrated throughout the year - most notably Semana Santa (Easter), Los Reyes (Three Kings or Twelfth Night) and the Fiesta de la Virgen.