SKYE

= Spain      =

Spain or the Kingdom of Spain is a country located in [|southwestern Europe] on the [|Iberian Peninsula]. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the [|Mediterranean Sea] except for a small land boundary with [|Gibraltar] ; to the north by [|France], [|Andorra] , and the [|Bay of Biscay] ; and to the west by the [|Atlantic Ocean] and [|Portugal]. Spanish territory also includes the [|Balearic Islands] in the Mediterranean, the [|Canary Islands] in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two [|autonomous cities] in [|North Africa], [|Ceuta] and [|Melilla] , that border [|Morocco]. With an area of 504,030 km², Spain is the second largest country in [|Western Europe] after France. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain)  Slums in Madrid




 * Yeon Jee**

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain http://www.un.org/issues/m-water.html __ http://web.worldbank.org/ __ http://www.worldvision.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_Spain


 * Emilie**

Madrid - The little girl is barely more than seven years old. Her left hand is making a fist, in her right hand she's holding a big stone. With the angry gesture and worn-out shoes the little girl is standing on the debris-covered ground facing the 'enemy': several police in anti-riot gear, equipped with protective helmets and shields, bats and guns loaded with rubber bullets. The scene invokes images from the Middle East conflict, but it is happening only 15 minutes away from Madrid city centre in the largest slum in Spain and possibly in Europe. The authorities would like to demolish it, but they're meeting the bitter resistance of its inhabitants. When diggers recently came to demolish one of the illegal abodes, the slum's residents clashed with the authorities. Some 200 residents attacked the police with stones, bottles and sticks. With around 40 injured on each side, nine people were arrested. 'Go away, we won't be driven away like dogs and have you take away our houses!' the people chanted. Police and residents accused each other of brutality. 'This is like war,' an official said. 'Intifada in Madrid,' one of the dailies called it the day after. The area is called Canada Real, or royal strait. In the 13th century it was under the protection of King Alfonso X, who prohibited any building on the site. For a long time it was a cattle track. However, the area now located near a waste incinerating plant no longer lives up to its name. Along a 15-kilometre stretch there are some 8,000 houses and huts inhabited by a total of 40,000 residents. Pubs, a hotel, a church and a mosque are all part of it. Some of the huts are made of brick, many of them are made of wood and corrugated iron. They're called 'Chabolas.' Many Spanish people only realized that there was a slum the size of Canada Real in a country which has been seeing an unprecedented economic boom when images of the riots were shown on television. Many of the residents are immigrants from Morocco or from Central and Eastern Europe, and there are also many Spanish travellers. The population of the area began around 40 years ago, but the city administration or the regional government never really did anything about it. Now the authorities want to take drastic action. Because the ground belongs to the state, any construction on it is illegal, the argument goes. 'We have a first-rate social problem on our hands: crime, drug abuse and a whole lot of poor people. The situation is getting worse and worse,' the mayor of the neighbouring Rivas district, Jose Masa, says. Many residents refuse to be lumped together. Canada Real is not just full of junkies, drug dealers or crooks. Many people also earn honest money, they say. The slum has different 'sectors' with multi-level family homes. The houses might often be unplastered but their owners have invested a lot of money into them over the years - like the Moroccan Abdul Lilah, whose house has just been torn down. 'I will rebuild it,' he says. Some of the other residents are collecting money and buying him bricks. Like other residents, Lilah claims his rights according to common law. After all, he says, he is paying for power and electricity. He even pays property tax. 'They have suffered us for years, now they have to legalize our situation, not drive us away,' he says. The residents also are taking legal action. And they have been successful: one judge has just halted the planned demolition of another seven houses by preliminary injunction because, according to her ruling, the Spanish constitution grants the right to a habitation.

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 * Keon**

Accommodation for those with special needs While it is not always easy to find a comprehensive list of hotels and places to stay in Andalucia which cater for or are adapted to the needs of the disabled, those listed as suitable for disabled travellers are more numerous than in the past. The Spanish Tourist Office in London can offer some help and can supply you will a list of user friendly hotels. The following are suggestions and some examples of places to stay in Andalucia that are user friendly for those with wheelchairs or with special needs regarding physical mobility. the Costa del SOL INLAND MALAGA If you are an independent person and want to live not only surrounded by beautiful countryside but also within a community of people from different walks of life, nationalities, ages and interests, Sol Andalusí is the place for you. At Sol Andalusí everything is wheelchair friendly and all facilities are accessible (Spa, swimming pools, café, restaurants, cinema, theatre, supermarket, gardens, etc…) A number of our apartments have been adapted with the comfort and wellbeing of disabled people in mind. We offer fully furnished apartments with large terraces as well as studio apartments: Wide door openings with no steps. Adapted bathrooms. Ramp entrances. 24 hr communication with the clinic in every apartment. More services available: Equipment rental (mobility scooters, etc..) Physiotherapy sessions in our clinic. Special hoist in our semi olympic swimming pool Adapted cars available upon request. [|**Sol Andalusi Resort**] At Sol Andalusí you can live independently, enjoy our facilities and social activities knowing that all services and assistance are at hand. || Stepstones provides a wide range holiday accommodation, transport, respite and care coordination services for people who have disabilities/special needs visiting the Eastern Costa del Sol and the Costa Tropical. || Hotels On the Costa del Sol In Fuengirola Hotel Yaramar The Yaramar (4 star hotel) opened in November 2000 and is right on the sea front promenade at the Los Boliches end of Fuengirola. There are plenty of bars, shops and restaurants close by. The first floor outdoor pool is heated in winter and there are free sun beds. It is described as one of the best hotels on the coast for facilities and access and comes highly recommended by disabled people who have had happy holidays there. Fuengirola Park This is a popular hotel in a relatively quiet area with direct access to the beach. It is about 3.5 kilometres from Fuengirola centre, but has plenty of shops, commercial centre and bars. There is a restaurant, TV rooms, social rooms, free parking and a large swimming pool. It has been described by one person as a good place for a long stay, because of easy access, good position and low cost. In Torremolinos Beach Club The hotel is 30 meters from the Playa del Lido beach and within 800 meters from bars restaurants, cafes and shops. It has 2 swimming pools, whirlpool, sun terrace and indoor heated pool with whirlpool. There is disabled access via ramp or lift. No adapted rooms, but rooms are accessible. Bathrooms with baths (not roll in showers). This hotel is very popular and has excellent access for wheelchairs, good facilities and very friendly staff. Don Pablo Sol This is another popular choice and is very accessible. The hotel has lifts, swimming pools, parking, and good room facilities. Disabled visitors speak very highly of this hotel and say that the staff are friendly and always do their best to make things run smoothly. Riu Nautilus This hotel has 299 rooms and is split into 2 buildings - one 4 and one 7 storeys high. There are nice private hotel gardens. The hotel is on the beach promenade at Torremolinos. There are good facilities in all the rooms and the hotel is just 700 m from the Puerto Marina and shopping centre. One visitor commented "Get a room on the first floor and you can take the scooter right in for charging!" In Benalmadena Siroco This hotel is just 200 meters from the popular 'Malapesqueras' beach and 500 to the resort centre. The hotel has attractive gardens and 2 swimming pools, a gym, 2 bars and live music some nights of the week. Access to the hotel is by a rather steep hill leads up to the hotel making this hotel unsuitable for the less mobile. However, many clients who use mobility scooters find access very easy. Triton The Triton is around 300m from the marina with its many shops, bars and restaurants. It has 373 rooms, two swimming pools, gym, sauna, snack bar, bars, gift shop. There are good facilities in the rooms and some have excellent sea views. This hotel is very popular for its excellent position, service and friendly atmosphere. Bali Access to the nearest beach (Malapesqueras) and the promenade is about 350m and then down 80 steps. However, the hotel has 2 swimming pools, a nice sun terrace, bar and a small garden. The hotel has 374 rooms, 2 linked buildings blocks, 8 floors, 4 lifts. Although the atmosphere is very friendly and the hotel facilities are excellent, if you have mobility problems and need to use a wheelchair or scooter, then it may not be suitable. Riviera The Riviera has 188 rooms including 7 suites. There is a nice garden and terrace. There is private parking, lifts, hairdresser, gym, pool, sauna and massage parlour. The facilities include air conditioning, heating, en-suite bathroom, hair dryer, TV, etc This centrally located hotel very popular with disabled users. Las Arenas This hotel is next to the Castle of the Bil-Bil and the beach of Santa Ana. It has 104 rooms, swimming pool and gardens. The rooms have en suite bathrooms and good facilities. It has good access and is well situated and central. Another popular choice. Hotels On The Costa de la Luz Hotel Isla Antilla in Huelva, Tel: (+34) 959 486331 This hotel was awarded the best hotel adapted for disability users, by the Spanish Tourist Board in 1997. It has 344 rooms and a 4 star rating. It belongs to the Spanish Confortel Hotel chain and offers very good facilities for the disabled. Hotels In Sevilla City Hotel Santa Lucia (3 star), Plaza Santa Lucia 33, 41003 Sevilla (500 meters from Santa Justa train station. Quite location and just 10 minutes from main commercial centre. Tel: (+34) 954 275442 Fax: (+34) 954284426 E-mail: hugol@azahares.com Traditional Spas (Balnearios) in Andalucia Although they may not actually be designed or listed as such, some of the traditional spas in Andalucia are well suited for the disabled. Many Spanish nationals and foreign visitors spend many a pleasant holiday there, while taking best advantage of the curative waters and treatments. Its best to call them beforehand to make sure of availability and access, but the following spas (in Spanish 'balnearios') are likely to be of interest: Take a look at the full list of traditional spas and contact them direct to ask about any specific facilities you may need. Many will be able to accommodate special needs. Andalucian Campsites Adapted for the Disabled Complejo Turístico Los Escullos-san José, Almería E-mail: info@losescullossanjose.com This is a coastal campsite. There is direct access to the beach. The site is quite hilly and shady -12 hectares, 220 pitches (tents, caravans, and camper vans), 70 rentals (tents, fully equipped tents, caravans, mobile homes, bungalows, and chalets). There is a hotel nearby and the campsite is open all year round. 1 swimming pool (free), waterslide, bar, restaurant, snack bar, take-away food, food shop, teens' club, mountain bike, tennis and basketball. Camping Cueva Negra, Mojacar, Almeria (+34) 950 47 58 55 (+34) 950 47 57 11 E-mail: info@campingcuevanegra.com This is a coastal campsite with direct access to the beach. The site is 5 hectares - 50 m altitude, 110 pitches (tents, caravans, and camper vans), 11 rentals, open all year round. 1 swimming pool (free), bar, restaurant, snack bar, food shop, pets permitted on a lead throughout the campsite, less than 20 km from a natural reserve, booking possible, free hot showers, private car park.
 * Sean**
 * [[image:http://www.andalucia.com/accommodation/image/disabled0490014_low.gif width="146" height="200"]] ||
 * Sol Andalusi Resort**
 * Accommodation ||
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 * [|Alhama de Granada]
 * [|Alicun de la Torre]
 * [|Lanjarón] - (all three in the province of Granada)