MALAGA AND ALMERIA DISPUTE OWNERSHIP OF ALBORAN ISLAND

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Nearly two centuries have passed since the administration of the Queen Regent, Maria Cristina de Borbón decided, in 1833, that Alboran Island was part of the municipality of Almería. As such current legislation dictates that, at least administratively, it is governed by the Province from the capital. But that decision, which was ratified 51 years later (on July 9, 1884) by King Alfonso XII, is not formally recorded in Spanish history, certainly not outside the City Council of Almeria.

As such Malaga has tried, on quite a number of occasions, to take ownership of the island which is considered to be as inhospitable as it is beautiful. The conflict arose during the late eighties when both Malaga and Almeria were both developing their urban planning.

The island is the peak of a mountain which existed prior to the birth of the Mediterranean Sea five million years ago. The island itself is a mere 550 metres long and 290 metres wide. Despite its size, the island has a long history of human use due to its strategic location midway between southern Spain and northern Morocco.

Its most recent human inhabitants were lighthouse-keepers, who lived here from the late 19th century until 1966. Before this, it was used by smugglers and, most famously, the Berber pirate Al Borany, who gave the island its name. One of the first scientists to visit the island was the archduke Luis Salvador, at the end of the 19th century.

The island has many seabirds, like Audouin’s and black headed gulls and European storm petrels. Gannets, razorbills, comorants and puffins are common during migration periods. Endemic species include the coleopterous insect zofosis alborana, which is related to similar species in North Africa, and the snail helix alboranensis.

In the sea you will find dolphins, whales and sea turtles, as well as a rich variety of fish and shellfish such as prawns, bream and hake. Having said that, permission to visit the island currently has to be granted by the Ministry of Defence.