|
Grazalema Nature Park - Cadiz |
Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in the Provinces of Cadiz and Malaga, Andalusia
Declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 1977, Sierra de Grazalema
Natural Park is located in the north east of the province of Cadiz and
in the north west of Malaga, at an altitude ranging from 250 to 1,654
metres above sea level. Grazalema natural park covers 51,695 hectares
and is among the areas of greatest ecological importance in the south
of the peninsula, and therefore of great significance in Spain as a
whole. It is also a special protection area for birds.
Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park has the highest rainfall in the
Iberian Peninsula, with an annual average of over 2,000 litres per
square metre, and is the most important western massif of the Subbetica
range. Its heavy rainfall and limestone terrain have created a
limestone landscape rich in slopes, grottoes, caves and winding gorges.
The Sierra del Pinar is an important forest of Spanish firs, considered
to be a vegetational relic of the tertiary period.
The main activities in the Sierra de Grazalema are centred on
woodcutting and cattle farming (in some cases using wild stock).
Industrial activities include the manufacture of woolen shawls and
leather products; other sources of income are tourism, hunting and
recreational fishing.
Initial eco-development experiments and other development initiatives
have been carried out here. Human presence in the area dates back to
the Palaeolithic period and today, one of the main objectives within
the Sierra de Grazalema is to strike a balance between human activity
and the natural environment.
Throughout the Sierra de Grazalema there are a variety of pretty white
Andalucian villages where Spanish tradition is maintained and the local
bars and restaurants offer excellent local cuisine and warm
hospitality. Throughout the whole region there is also a multitude of
things to do. It is literally a walkers and bird watchers paradise,
with its wide ranging diversity of landscape and habitat there is an
abundance of flora and fauna to be seen all over the Sierra de
Grazalema area. For the slightly more adventurous there are many other
activities available locally, from cycling for all levels of ability,
horse riding and paragliding to mention but a few. Many of these
activities can be booked through experienced, local companies to ensure
you get the most out of your visit.
Flora in Grazalema natural park offers one of the finest Spanish pine
groves in the country of Spain, a vegetational relic of the tertiary
period, a veritable living fossil which only grows at altitudes of over
1,000 metres, is to be found in what is known as the Sierra del Pinar
(Pine Grove Mountain Range). The rest of the Park’s vegetation, clearly
Mediterranean in type, includes large areas of holm-oak woods. Cork
oak, gall oak and pine groves are also to be found. Carob trees, wild
olives and barberries also feature, along with riverside woods and
thick scrub.
Grazalema natural park is home to one of the largest nesting colonies
of tawny vultures in Europe. Several species of eagle can be seen: the
golden eagle, Hieraetus fasciatus, Aquila heliaca, Hieratus pennatus
and Circaetus gallicus. Other birds such as the goshawk, the Egyptian
vulture and owls also inhabit the Park. One of Europe’s largest bat
colonies can also be found here. Mammals include genets, wild boar,
stags and deer.
|
|
|
|
|
