Integral reserve of the Biosphere
Sierra Nevada has peaks higher than 3,000 metres what makes it the second highest massif in Western Europe, after the Alps. Mulhacén peak (3,481 metres) is the roof of the Iberian Peninsula and it is surrounded by glaciers, its main altitude is the Laguna de Altera, 3,146 metres above sea level. In 1986 it was declared Integral Reserve of the Biosphere by UNESCO. In 1989, an extension of 136,880 hectares was declared Natural Park, including the districts of Nacimiento River and Alpujarras in Almería and the Marquesado del Zenete, Valle de Lecrín, the Alpujarra and Sierra Norte in Granada. About 50 towns and villages of both provinces are included in the area of the Natural Park. About 60 botanic species belong exclusively to this area, more than all the endemic plants in Central and Northern Europe together and most to be found at high altitude such as the poppy, the violet and the manzanilla de Sierra Nevada (real everlasting flower).
The emblematic animal of the area is the Spanish ibex (a kind of mountain goat), typical in the highest peaks of Sierra Nevada. In the lower areas tejones, garduñas and gatos monteses are usual. Adapted to exclusive flora, the rhinoceros beetle must be named, also a rare endemic from this area.The 13th of January 1999, a part of the Sierra Nevada was declared Spanish National Park.
| Previous | List | Next |
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
