Colmenar, situated at the most westerly point of La Axarquia has a population of around 4,000 people. The town is situated at an altitiude of 700 metres and lies 35 kilometres from Malaga and 49 kilometres from Velez Malaga. The economy of Colmenar is based on agriculture, livestock farming and a number of food and drink industries. The town has two clearly dsitinguished sections: the upper area, its steep narrow streets clustering around the church, and the lower area, the site of more recent construction.