Arenas is a municipality in the province of Málaga located in the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is situated in the comarca of Axarquía. By way of road it is located 12 kilometers from Vélez-Málaga, 50 km from Málaga and 577 km from Madrid. It is located northwest of the Axarquia, between the sierras of Tejeda and Almijara and the Castle of Bentomiz. Arenas enjoys a lush natural setting, where the streams, oak and pomegranate provide plenty of water resulting in a rich vegetation. It is a Moorish village where grapevine and olive were the main crops and still are an important element in the landscape and its economy, producing sweet, dry or semi-dry wine. The municipality is bordered to the south by Algarrobo, to the east by Sayalonga, to the north by Canillas de Albaida, Salares, Sedella and Canillas de Aceituno, in the extreme northwest corner with La Viñuela and to the west by Vélez-Málaga. This is a town very close to the Costa del Sol and the Mediterranean beaches typical of Andalusia and forms a rural and residential tourism that is beginning to develop. Geography In 2008 Areans had a population of 1,421 inhabitants and in 2000 it had 1,191 inhabitants (INE data). In recent years the population has begun to have a slight growth due to the arrival of people from other countries. Both British and Central European residential tourism in Arenas is for the mild Mediterranean climate. There are also some Moroccan or Romanian immigrants working in agriculture and construction. Arenas's urban landscape is typically Andalusian with narrow streets, steep and with whitewashed buildings. It is surrounded by mountains very close to the Mediterranean Sea. Mount Bentomiz has an altitude of 711 m in altitude, steep slopes and with views over the coast and the region of Axarquia. Other mountains are Cerro Beas and Cerro Alto. Arenas shares with Canillas de Aceituno, Sedella, and Salares a large area in the Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park. Several trails, gorges, and streams allow for hiking and climbing. Rain-fed crops such as olive trees, almond trees and vines predominate the landscape, producing typical products such as raisins and muscatel wine. In addition, tropical fruit trees, such as avocado and mango trees, have been introduced in the abundant irrigation areas. Río Seco is the river crossing this municipality, that leads into Torre del Mar