 Andalusia is one of the warmest regions
of Europe. It has a temperate, Mediterranean climate with
hot, dry summers and mild winters with irregular rainfall.
If there is one feature characteristic of the Andalusian
environment, it is the light, a direct result of the great
number of hours of sunlight, which marks the cheerful nature
and hospitality of the Andalusians.
The diversity, size and ecological wealth of the Andalusian
territory bring together the highest peaks of the Iberian
Peninsula in Sierra Nevada, extensive wetlands, thick,
shady forests, volcanic deserts and stretches of coast
barely touched by human activity.
More than 18% of the region´s territory is protected
by a vast network of Natural Sites, Parks and Reserves
(more than 80), which puts Andalusia at the head of all
of the autonomous communities of Spain in the defence of
its environmental heritage.
The greater part of this area is taken up by Natural Parks, to which must be
added the emblematic Doñana National Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve
by UNESCO. The Natural Parks (22), range from mountainous, wooded terrain to
coastal areas, such as Cabo de Gata in Almería.
The Natural Parks of Grazalema, the Sierra de las Nieves
and the Sierra Bermeja include Spanish fir forests that
are unique in the world. The so-called Natural Reserves
(28) are mostly wetlands. Although smaller extensions than
most parks, they are nonetheless of enormous importance
for the flora and fauna, especially birds.
 Other, smaller, protected areas, but nevertheless of singular
importance, are the Natural Sites (31), whose interesting
variety goes from the naked rock formations of El Torcal
in Antequera, to Tabernas, in Almería, the only
desert on the European continent.
The coast makes up the other significant land area of
Andalusia, extending over more than eight hundred kilometres
and numerous stretches of beaches.
From the Coast of Almería, the Tropical Coast of
Granada, the Costa de la Luz of Cádiz and Huelva,
or the Costa del Sol in Málaga, these beaches have
seen their environmental value enhanced, and this, together
with the quality and warmth of the water and the eternal
sun, have made these coasts a favourite tourist spot for
holidaymakers from all over the world. |
