Ronda

Ronda
Municipality
"El Tajo" of Ronda and Ronda New Bridge
Flag Coat of arms
Ronda Location in Andalusia
Coordinates: 36°44′14″N 5°9′53″W / 36.73722°N 5.16472°W / 36.73722; -5.16472
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Andalusia
Province	Málaga
Comarca	Serranía de Ronda
Government
• Alcalde	Teresa Valdenebro (PSOE)
Area
• Total	481.31 km2 (185.83 sq mi)
Elevation	739 m (2,425 ft)
Population (2009)
• Total	36,827
• Density	77/km2 (200/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Rondeños
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	29400
Dialing code	95287, 95219
Website	Official website

Coordinates: 36°44′46″N 5°9′40″W / 36.74611°N 5.16111°W / 36.74611; -5.16111

Ronda (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈronda]) is a city in the Spanish province of Málaga. It is located about 100 km (62 mi) west of the city of Málaga, within the autonomous community of Andalusia. Its population is about 35,000 inhabitants.

Around the city are remains of prehistoric settlements dating to the Neolithic Age, including the rock paintings of Cueva de la Pileta. Ronda was, however, first settled by the early Celts, who called it Arunda in the sixth century BC. Later Phoenician settlers established themselves nearby to found Acinipo, known locally as Ronda la Vieja, Arunda, or Old Ronda. The current Ronda is of Roman origins, having been founded as a fortified post in the Second Punic War, by Scipio Africanus. Ronda received the title of city at the time of Julius Caesar.

In the fifth century AD, Ronda was conquered by the Suebi, led by Rechila, being reconquered in the following century by the Eastern Roman Empire, under whose rule Acinipo was abandoned. Later, the Visigoth king Leovigild captured the city. Ronda was part of the Visigoth realm until 713, when it fell to the Arabs, who named it Hisn Ar-Rundah ("Castle of Rundah") and made it the capital of the Takurunna province.