Picos de Europa National Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park | |
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| IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
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| Location: | Picos de Europa,Cantabrian Mountains, Spain |
| Nearest city: | Santander, Cantabria |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 64,660 ha |
| Established: | 1918 |
| Governing body: | Spanish Ministry of Environment. |
The Picos de Europa National Park is a National Park in the Picos de Europa mountain range, in northern Spain. It is shared by the provinces of Asturias, Cantabria and León.
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[edit] History
The park was created 22 July 1918 but only the western part of today´s park was created,then, it was called Parque Nacional de la Montaña de Covadonga and had only an area of 16,925 ha. On May 30, 1995 the complete national park was created, with a total area of 64,660 ha.
It was the first of the National Parks of Spain beside Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in the Pyrenees.
On July 9, 2003 UNESCO approved the Biosphere Reserve status for the Picos de Europa National Park.
[edit] Geography
The total surface of the park is 64,660 ha and is shared by Castilla y León, Asturias, and Cantabria. The highest point of the park is in Torrecerredo peak, 2,648 m AMSL and the lowest point is 75 m AMSL in the River Deva, that is a vertical drop of 2,573 m.
The geologic elements present in the park are due to glacial erosion in the limestone masiffs that form the Cantabrian Mountains.
[edit] Flora and Fauna
Several types of woods can be found in the area, including beeches and Cantabrian Holm Oaks . There are many protected species, like the Capercaillie, the Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) or the brown bear. The most representative animal of the Picos de Europa is the izard, there are many sculptures around the park representing it.
