The city was founded by the Phoenicians, who built a settlement near the hill where now stands the Alcazaba. During Roman times, enjoyed the privilege of Málaga confederate city of Rome. </ P> The city experienced one of its periods of greatest progress under the control of the Arabs. In 1487 it was conquered by the Catholic Monarchs. Was this a stage of unstoppable decline. </ P> In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, born in Málaga high bourgeoisie around two families: those of Larios and Heredia, turning to the city in the second industrial center of the country. </ p> today, Málaga still growing. The great miracle of Málaga has been the development of the Costa del Sol, which has become the world capital of tourism.