Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada is composed of Natural and National Park of the same name. It is being impressed by an extensive mountain range with a compact and relief to have the highest peak in the Iberian Peninsula, Mulhacen, with 3482 meters.

It is integrated into the Penibética range extends from southeast of Granada to the western tip of Almería. Due to its great variety of landscapes and unique natural values have obtained several measures of protection. In addition to being National Park and Nature Reserve is recognized internationally as a Biosphere Reserve.

Climatology and the difference in altitudes have enabled them to grow into a large number of plants specially adapted to the harsh conditions. In the high mountains, as in the “Veleta” or in the “Tajo de Machos”, refuge among the crags and crevices of the rock calendar, you can enjoy with species such as “la violeta de Sierra Nevada”, or “la estrella de las nieves”.

In this elevation was also found glacial valleys such as the “Siete Lagunas”. A medium-altitude landscape dominated by deciduous forests composed of “Robles Melojos", "Arces", "Cerezos silvestres" and "Castaños".

These forests are changing the face of the landscape throughout the seasons, the autumn leaves begin to lose and ochres are the colors that predominate, but with the arrival of spring and the emergence of new outbreaks are being installed intense green. Already in the lower landscape are “encinas” such as “Montenegro” and, finally, the riparian forest that follows the course of rivers.
This plant variety and climate determines a rich wildlife. In the high mountain is the flight of “acentor Alpino” “roqueros solitarios” or “chova piquirrojas”.

Staying silent in the shadows of the forest of shore, you may see the “Mirlo acuático", "oropéndola" or "Martín pescador". The majestic “águila real”, at any time, you can also ride the skies.

The shelter of the forest and thick scrub lives a large community of mammals such as “jabalí”, “zorro”, “tejón” or “jineta”. Among all these, without doubt, the “cabra montés” is very widespread in these ranges, which can be seen from the valley of the “Dívar” river or ravine of “Poqueira” ascending the slopes and at the top of the crags. The community of invertebrates also is representative; there are many species that are unique to this environment, including over twenty species of butterflies and beetles for more than thirty.

Tartessos, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans settled in these environments, but certainly it was the Arabs who left an important legacy that still lingers in the architecture and irrigation, and irrigation ditches (“acequias”).
With regard to architecture are striking the villages of the “Alpujarra”, characterized by its white houses situated on the slopes of the mountains, small windows, flat roofs, porches and slender chimneys called “tinaos” cover from side to side the road.

Techinal Data:

Extensión: 85.883 Ha (86.067 Ha Nacional Park)

Declaration Date: 14 enero 1.999 (28 julio 1989 National Park)

Provinces: Granada and Almería.

Municipalities: Abla, Abrucena, Alboloduy, Alhabia, Almocita, Alsodux, Bayarcal, Beires, Bentarique, Canjayar, Fiñana, Fondon, Illar, Instincion, Laujar de Andarax, Nacimiento, Ohanes, Padules, Paterna del Rio, Ragol, Santa Cruz, Terque, Las Tres Villas, Aldeire, Alpujarra de La Sierra, Alquife, Berchules, Bubion, Busquistar, Cadiar, Cañar, Capileira, Carataunas, Castaras, Cogollos de Guadix, Dilar, Dolar, Durcal, Ferreira, Gojar, Guejar-sierra, Hueneja, Jerez del Marquesado, Juviles, Lacalahorra, Lanjaron, Lanteira, Lecrin, Lugros, Monachil, Nevada, Niguelas, Padul, Pampaneira, Portugos, Soportujar, La Taha, Trevelez, Valor, Zubia.