Pechina

Pechina is a municipality of the Province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. It is on the site of the ancient town of Urci.

Pechina
Cave houses in Sierra Alhamilla, Pechina
Flag Coat of arms
Pechina Show map of Andalusia Pechina Show map of Spain
Coordinates: 36°55′N 2°26′W
Country	Spain
Community	Andalusia
Municipality	Almería
Government
• Mayor	José Manuel Moreno Díaz (PSOE)
Area
• Total	46 km2 (18 sq mi)
Elevation	98 m (322 ft)
Population  (2018)[1]
• Total	4,018
• Density	87/km2 (230/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Climate	BWk

Pechina, called Bajjāna in Arabic, was the centre of a Yemeni colony during the period of the Umayyad caliphate in Spain. Founded before 886, the self-governing colony was known as the ursh al-Yaman. Jews also shared in the prosperity of Pechina.^[2] In 922 it was incorporated into the caliphate. It oversaw a ribat (fortress) and maintained its own navy that could be put use for piracy or official Umayyad campaigns. Between 939 and 944 it took part in four expeditions against the Franks, Idrisids and Fatimids. By 955, it had been eclipsed by Almería.^[3]

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1999	2,689	—
2000	2,763	+2.8%
2001	2,836	+2.6%
2002	2,910	+2.6%
2003	3,024	+3.9%
2004	3,114	+3.0%
2005	3,307	+6.2%
Source: INE (Spain)

Notable people

• Khashkhash Ibn Saeed
• Juan Mañas Morales, murdered by Civil Guard officers in Almería Case

See also

• List of municipalities in Almería