Vélez Málaga is the capital of Axarquia with 74,000 inhabitants. This population lives in 11 different areas which are mostly located along the coast making the N-340 National road the main spine of the municipality. The localities are:
Seven of the mentioned populated areas are located along the coast (from west to east: Chilches, Benajarafe, Almayate, Torre del Mar, Caleta de Vélez, Mezquitilla and Lagos).
Four are located in-land (Cajiz, Trapiche, Triana and Vélez Málaga).
A populated area 3 km away from Benajarafe that has great historical importance with its rock Church used by the Mozarab hermits between the VIII and X centuries.
The Capital of Axarquia