Poniente Almeriense
Poniente Almeriense | |
|---|---|
"Sea of plastic" and the town of El Ejido | |
Location of Poniente Almeriense in Andalusia, Spain | |
Location of Poniente Almeriense in the province of Almería | |
| Country | Spain |
| Autonomous community | Andalusia |
| Province | Almería |
| Municipalities | List
|
| Area | |
• Total | 970 km2 (370 sq mi) |
| Population (2024) | |
• Total | 283,858 |
| • Density | 290/km2 (760/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Largest municipality | El Ejido |
Poniente Almeriense is one of the seven comarcas in the province of Almería, Andalusia, Spain. This comarca was established in 2003 by the Government of Andalusia. It is sometimes also known as the "sea of plastic" (Mar de plástico) due to the numerous greenhouses that cover the area. The comarca contains ten municipalities (the tenth, Balanegra, was created in 2015 from part of Berja municipality) and 283,858 inhabitants in an area of 970 km2. The "sea of plastic" was one of the subjects of We feed the world, a 2005 documentary; and the setting of Spanish crime drama Mar de plástico.
The typical agricultural products of the greenhouses are: cucumbers, watermelons, eggplants, zucchinis, peaches, peppers and tomatoes.
The comarca borders the Alboran Sea to the South, the city of Almería to the east, the Sierra de Gádor to the north, and the municipality of Albuñol (in Granada province) to the west.