The Port of Algeciras Bay is the largest urban area on the Bay of Gibraltar (Bahia de Algeciras in Spanish). It is the busiest port in Spain and the 16th busiest port in the world. Located 20 kilometers north of the southernmost town in the Iberian Peninsula, the Port of Algeciras Bay is an industrial center and transportation hub. It is the main point for ships going to Tangier, Morocco, and the Canary Islands.

The Port of Algeciras Bay supports a prosperous fishing industry and exports of agricultural products including tobacco, cereals, and farm animals. The port is the Port of Algeciras Bay’s major commercial activity. It is a ferry port for passengers traveling to North Africa. Its mild climate in the winter attracts increasing tourist traffic. It also has a petrochemical refinery. In 2007, almost 113 thousand people lived in the Port of Algeciras Bay.

Archaeological evidence suggests that Neanderthals lived in the area during the < href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic" target=_blank>Paleolithic era, and the Port of Algeciras Bay has been inhabited since that time. The Phoenicians used it as a port, and the Romans established Portus Albus there.

After German barbarians and Vandals destroyed the Roman settlement, the Port of Algeciras Bay was rebuilt by the Moors in 713 AD. It was the first city created by Arabs in Spain. Called al-Jazirah al-Khadra (Green Island) by the Moors, the Port of Algeciras Bay was retaken by Alfonso XI of Castile in 1344. The Moors recaptured the Port of Algeciras Bay in 1368 and then destroyed it on the orders of Muhammed V of Granada. The site was then abandoned.

The town was founded again by refugees from Gibraltar in 1704 after Anglo-Dutch armies took the area in the War of Spanish Succession. Charles III of Spain rebuilt the Port of Algeciras Bay in 1760. In 1801, the French and Spanish navies joined to fight the British in the Battle of Algeciras Bay, ending in an English victory.

In 1906, the Port of Algeciras Bay was the site of the Algeciras Conference, hosting discussions about the future of Morocco. During the Franco dictatorship, the Port of Algeciras Bay enjoyed a great deal of industrial development, attracting many workers to the Port of Algeciras Bay who were then unemployed between 1969 and 1982 when the border was sealed.

The modern Port of Algeciras Bay is primarily a transport hub and industrial center, and most of its economic activity is related to the port and the fishing industry. In the recent past, the Port of Algeciras Bay has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination. It is the southern end of two important north-south Euro-routes, both of which go all the way to Scotland.

The Autoridad Portuaria Bahia de Algeciras (APBA) is responsible for managing and operating the ports of Algeciras, La Linea and Tarifa. The APBA is an autonomous organization created by the State to plan, develop, and operate port facilities and services.

The Port of Algeciras Bay is a relatively young port, just over 100 years old in its current form. While it had long been a point of travel for as many as 4.6 million passengers, its modern development as an industrial port began in 1964 as industry grew in the area.

In 2005, the Port of Algeciras Bay handled over 3.6 million tons of cargo. In 2006, it handled 3.3 million TEUs of containerized cargo, much of that traffic with Asia and South America. The Port of Algeciras Bay boasts modern container facilities including two container terminals with state-of-the-art equipment and services, and it ranks among the 25 best container ports in the world.

The Port of Algeciras Bay handles a significant volume of liquid bulk cargoes, handling almost over twenty million tons of petroleum products each year in 2006. Much of the solid bulk handled by the Port of Algeciras Bay consists of raw materials supplying local industry, including coal for the local power station. In 2006, over 2.7 million tons of solid bulk cargoes passed through the port.

The Port of Algeciras Bay has a long tradition of fishing that has supported the Andalusian economy. However, modern restrictions on fish catches have forced a transformation of the port from one that exports fish to one that imports and processes marine products coming from the West African coast.

The Juan Carlos I Terminal 2000, located on the Wharf Juan Carlos I, is dedicated to container traffic. Covering 686 thousand square meters, it can accommodate post-Panamax vessels. Isla Verde is a container and roll-on/roll-off wharf of 846 meters with alongside depth of 14.5 meters. The wharf includes a container terminal covering 18 hectares and containing refrigeration storage for 20 thousand cubic meters of chilled and frozen cargo.

The Harbor Station is located on the dock of the Galera to welcome and send off passengers and vehicles. Departures are served at one plant that includes a cafeteria, luggage handling, duty-free stores, and vehicle rentals. The old Harbor Station covers seven thousand square meters and houses a commercial gallery with travel agencies, banking services, offices, cafeterias, and other passenger services. Both passenger facilities cover 19 square meters and can serve over 4.5 million passengers per year. The Harbor Station contains eight roll-on/roll-off ramps, cruise docks, and a terminal to serve cruise vessels.

The Fishing Wharf is used to handle fresh-frozen fish and food supplies. The Fishing Wharf covers 28.1 thousand square meters and includes a refrigerating warehouse of 4.4 square meters and a freezing tunnel.

The Exterior Isla Verde is perhaps the Port of Algeciras Bay most important project. Divided into three phases, it will cover 118 hectares and contain more than 2.5 thousand meters of wharf with alongside depth of between 16.5 and 18.5 meters and another two thousand meters of dock with alongside depth of 30 meters. The first phase is complete, providing 16 hectares of surface area and the new Principe Felipe Wharf of 530 meters with alongside depth of 17 meters. The second phase, planned to be completed in 2008, includes an esplanade of 47 hectares and new wharf of 675 meters with alongside depth of 17.5 meters. The third phase, which has already begun, will provide sheltered dock of over two thousand meters with alongside depth of 30 meters. A second major development will create facilities at Campamento on the north shores of the Bay of Algeciras. It will cover 74 hectares.

In 2004, over 21.5 thousand vessels called at the Port of Algeciras Bay carrying 65.7 million tons of cargo and 4.6 million passengers. This included 21.9 million tons of liquid bulk, 36.6 million tons of general cargo, and 1.1 million vehicles.

The Port of Algeciras Bay has the modern infrastructure to handle thousands of passengers each day. Its passenger terminal is completely automated, and security services are excellent. Cruise passengers arrive at a modern facility that brings them near wonderful adventures in the Campo de Gibraltar region, including luxury hotels, world-class golf courses, outstanding and beautiful beaches, the historic Castle of Tarifa, and many more tourist attractions.

The City of Algeciras (Spanish) has many sights that visitors will not want to miss. At the Murallas Merinies on Avenida Blas Infante, visitors can explore the remains of 13th Century medieval walls, towers, a moat, and entry gate. The Banos Merinies in the Parque Maria Cristina contain the restored remains of royal baths from the 13th Century.

The Museo Municipal, Ortega y Gasset (Spanish) is housed in the 19th Century Casa de los Guardeses. Within its seven galleries are exhibits ranging from prehistoric and the middle ages to modern times.

First created by the Marques de Verboon in 1724 as he brought people back to the abandoned town, the Plaza Alta is the center of the town. Redesigned and expanded several times over the years, it is a wonderful example of the 1929 Sevilla Ibero-Americana Exhibition.

The 18th Century old quarter of the Port of Algeciras Bay, Barrio de San Isidro, contains a wonderful plaza and church.

To learn more about the many cruise opportunities in the Port of Algeciras Bay, visit the Sun Cruise Andalucia website.