Spain becomes more arid as you head south from the Costa Blanca, including an actual desert at Almanzora.
However, it is also a major agricultural supplier too, especially in Murcia in the northern section and inland to the south of Almeria city. South of Murcia, within Andalusia, Almeria was a relatively quiet and poor province until the tourists and new residents arrived, priced out of the neighbouring costas. In Murcia there are well-known resorts around the Mar Menor, in the north in what is called the Costa Cálida, and further south, Mojácar and Roquetas del Mar on the Costa Almería.
In the years up to the financial crisis these areas saw a major property construction boom.
Source. THE AIPP/RICS/RDE Guide to buying a property in Spain