Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

34  INTRODUCING SP AIN

Spain’s National Parks

Few other countries in western Europe have such
unspoiled scenery as Spain, or can boast tracts of
wilderness where brown bears live and wolves hunt.
More than 200 nature re serves protect a broad range
of ecosystems. The most important areas are the 13
national parks, the first of which was established in 1918.
Natural parks (parques naturales), regulated by regional
governments, are also vital to the task of conservation. Clear mountain river, Ordesa

Mountains
Much of Spain’s finest scenery is found
in the mountains. Rivers have carved
gorges between the peaks of the Picos
de Europa. Ordesa and Aigüestortes
share some of the most dramatic
landscapes of the Pyrenees,
while the Sierra Nevada
has an impressive range Chamois are well
of indigenous wildlife. adapted to climb­
ing across slopes
Eagle owls are covered in scree.
Europe’s largest owl, They live in small
easily identified by groups, always
their large ear tufts. At alert to predators,
night they hunt small and feed on grass
Rough terrain in the Picos de Europa mammals and birds. and flowers.
Wetlands
Wetlands include coastal strips and fresh­
water marshes. Seasonal floods rejuvenate Lynx, endangered by
the water, providing nutrients for animal hunting and habitat loss,
and plant growth. These areas are rich can occasionally be
feeding grounds for birds. Spain’s best­ spotted in Doñana
known wetland is Doñana. Catalonia’s (see pp470–71).
Delta de l’Ebre (see p229) and Tablas de
Daimiel, in La Mancha, are much smaller.

Black-winged
stilts, with
their long,
straight
legs, are
adept at stalking
tiny freshwater
crustaceans. Laguna del Acebuche, Parque Nacional de Doñana
Islands
Cabrera, off
Mallorca, is home
to rare plants,
reptiles and seabirds,
such as Eleonara’s Lizards are often
falcon. The surrounding found in rocky
waters are important terrain and on
Cabrera archipelago, Balearic Islands for their marine life. cliff faces.

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