Sierra Morena
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The Sierra Morena is a mountain range which stretches for 400 km East-West across southern Spain, forming the border of the central plateau (Meseta Central) of Iberia, and providing the watershed between the valleys of the Guadiana to the north and the Guadalquivir to the south. It has valuable deposits of lead, silver, mercury, and other metals, some of which have been exploited since prehistoric times.
The Sierra Morena is the result of uplift produced by the pressure of the northward-moving African Plate.
Much of its natural beauty is now protected in national parks, such as Despeñaperros, Sierra de Andújar (Jaén), Sierra de Cardeña-Montoro, Sierra de Hornachuelos, Sierra Madrona, Sierra Norte de Sevilla and Sierra de Aracena Huelva.
The name is also applied to the highest point on Kings Mountain in San Mateo County, California in the U.S., as identified by the U.S. Geological Survey.
It has been referenced in the novel Don Quixote, wherein Sancho Panza suggests it to be a refuge from the Holy Brotherhood after Don Quixote frees a group of galley slaves.
The famous song "Cielito Lindo" mentions the Sierra Morena.
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