Los Gallardos
Los Gallardos is a small town and municipality in the province of Almeria, Andalusia. It is located in the region of the Levante Almeriense and is 79 km from the provincial capital, Almería. In 2014 there were 3,126 inhabitants on a surface area of 35.1 square kilometers, at an altitude of 132m, a density of 89 inhabitants per square metre. The co-ordinates are 37°10′03″N 1°56′22″O. The post code is 04280.
Location
To the North of the municipality is Antas, West is Bédar, East is Mojacar and South is Sorbas. Well situated for the motorway and all major routes to the local coast.
The main villages in the municipality are:- Alfaix, Almocaizer, Los Collados, El Carrizalejo, La Perulaca, Los Martos, Las Pastora, and Las Norias.
Brief History
Los Gallardos only became a municipality in 1924 when it split from Bédar. It was accorded the status of municipality because of the number of residents, schools and businesses in the area and the growth was due to the mining industry in the nearby Sierra Almagrera. Recent growth is due to the large number of ex-pats moving to this area and the satellite businesses that have stemmed from it. Los Gallardos is recorded as having the 4th highest population growth in Almeria between 1996 and 2006 of 78%.
There are conflicting ideas as to how the municipality was named, one theory leans towards the fact that a Captain Gallardo lived in the first house in the town, while the other is that a family with the surname Gallardo had lived in the area since the 16th Century.
Economy
Since the death of the mining industry in the area the population turned to subsistence farming, focusing heavily on the growth of tomatoes. This has evolved and now huge tomato plantations can be found here.
The building of the new housing estate of Huerta Nueva opened up employment in the construction business and brought new life to the town. A new sports centre was added to the facilities in the town and a theatre has recently begun construction. It is hoped that more shops and services will become available over the next few years.