If you are on this web page probably you have got one of the maps which are these artistic intervention piece. In this page you will find some more information on the subject.

Besides, this project is open to your submissions related to the Mar Menor and North Africa relationship. Submissions

If you have not seen the public action, you could see it from janury 10th of 2011 by clicking here.

Al-Buahayrat

Palus (mudflats) was the name  romans gave to Mar Menor. Arabs changed it to Al-Buhayrat Al-Qsar, then christians distorted the place-name Al-Buhayrat into “Albufera”. Following  last moorish ejection in the XVII century the name changed again to Mar Chico (small sea), and then to Mar Menor.

Once arabs ocupation was over  relations  remained with North Africa, not as strong but constantly. This continuity is due to  the proximity between both coastlines.

*Relics from arab occupation still remain. The Alcazar is supposed to lie between Balneario de la Encarnación and Los Alcazares  air base. San Gines de La Jara emplacement was a place for moorish cult. It is possible that many ships are under Cabo de Palos water, probably they will never be discoverd.+info

*In the XVIth century a defensive system was built, the aim was to watch pirate ships from Argelia. Actually you can still find Rame Tower and Negro Tower, others have disapeared but those in Cabo de Palos and El Estacio have been replaced by lighthouses.+info.

*Isla Grosa and Portman calm sea were north african pirate´s favourite places to hide. +info

*The Mar Menor landscape is more similar to North Africa´s than to any other european area. There are many similar plants in both sides of the coast. Several birds species stop of at Mar Menor before their migrations to North Africa. Also some birds introduced as pets have adapted to the Mar Menor environment.+info.

*The North African coast were fishing areas for Mar Menor fishermen. Lately fish companies went to Tunez to capture red tuna. Tuna was brought back and then fed into fish-farms. Encañizadas are a traditionally fishing system which has remained  since arab time.+info

*Los Alcazares was chosen as an air base in 1915. Its situation was perfect, calm sea and proximity to North Africa. Around 1950,s some soldiers came to Mar Menor from Norht Africa campaign. Some of their descendants born in Tetuan can still be found in the Mar Menor area. +info

*In recent years several boats with inmigrants  have been rescued around Cabo de Palos. Ocasionally one of these boats landed on Las Sirenas Beach in La Manga. Also Powerful ships still try to introduce drugs throught these coastlines.+info.

*Actually it is quite easy to find  north african suburbs almost  in any town within the Mar Menor. Around the second half of Nineteenth century inhabitants from Campo de Cartagena –Mar Menor included- went to Oran to look for employment.+info.

*October 27th 2009 a plane was flew for first time from San Javier airport to North Africa. A fifty seater plane was used for the journey costing €59 plus taxes per passanger. Oujda was the destination, a maroco aerport next to argelian boundarie. This flight was withdrawn for operation within one year.+info.