The
Costa Brava (, ; "Wild" or "Rough Coast") is a coastal region of northeastern Spain, consisting of
Alt Empordà,
Baix Empordà and
Selva, in the
province of Girona. The Costa Brava stretches from
Blanes, northeast of
Barcelona, to the French border. In the 1950s, the Costa Brava was identified by the
Spanish government and local entrepreneurs as being suitable for substantial development as a holiday destination, mainly for
package holiday tourists from
Northern Europe and especially the
United Kingdom and
France. The combination of a very good summer climate, nature, excellent beaches and a favourable foreign exchange rate, which made Spain a relatively inexpensive tourist destination, was exploited by the construction of large numbers of hotels and apartments in such seaside resorts as
Blanes,
Tossa de Mar and
Lloret de Mar. Tourism rapidly took over from fishing as the principal business of the area.