Guadalhorce

The Guadalhorce (from Arabic wādi, "river" + Latin forfex, "scissors") is the principal river of the Province of Málaga in southern Spain.

Its source is in the Sierra de Alhama in the Province of Granada, from which it drains the depression of Antequera, flowing for 166 kilometres (103 mi) through southern Andalusia into the Mediterranean west of the city of Málaga. It has the greatest volume of flow of any river in the Costa del Sol region after the Guadiaro. It forms the 7-kilometre (4 mi) long canyon of Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a spectacular gorge with sheer walls towering up to 400 metres (1,300 ft) in places, before continuing through the Hoya de Málaga. Over its course, it passes through the towns of Villanueva del Trabuco, Villanueva del Rosario, Archidona, Antequera, Alhaurín el Grande, Alhaurín de la Torre, Almogía, Álora, Cártama, Coín, Pizarra and Valle de Abdalajís, forming the comarca of Valle del Guadalhorce; then bifurcates shortly before it reaches the sea. A portion of the river is diverted to provide water and power to the city of Málaga. Near its mouth the remains of a Phoenician settlement were found at Cerro del Villar.