Serra dos Ancares

Serra dos Ancares
Sierra de los Ancares

General view of the range
Highest point
Peak Cuiña
Elevation 1,987 m (6,519 ft)
Coordinates 42°46′05″N 6°53′53″W / 42.76806°N 6.89806°W / 42.76806; -6.89806Coordinates: 42°46′05″N 6°53′53″W / 42.76806°N 6.89806°W / 42.76806; -6.89806
Dimensions
Length 95 km (59 mi) NE/SW
Width 32 km (20 mi) NW/SE
Geography
Serra dos Ancares

Location in Spain

Location

Lugo Province, Galicia

León Province, Castile and León
Country Spain
State/Province ES
Parent range Galician Massif
Geology
Orogeny Variscan orogeny
Age of rock Ordovician
Type of rock Slate, limestone, sandstone, quartzite

The Serra dos Ancares (Spanish: Sierra de los Ancares, also known as Sierra de Ancares) is a mountain range of the Galician Massif in north-west Spain, extending in a south-westerly direction from the western end of the Cantabrian Mountains in Asturias.

The area was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2006.[1]

Geography

The range forms the boundary between the autonomous communities of Galicia and Castile and León. The highest point of the range is the Cuiña Peak at 1,987 metres (6,519 ft). Other notable peaks are Mustallar (1,935 m) and Miravalles (1,969 m). The smaller Serra do Courel lies south of this range, stretching parallel to it.

The main trees in the range are willow and European alder close to water courses, as well as chestnut, ash, common hazel, oak and common holly. Above 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) there is brushland with tree heath and juniper.[2]

This area of Spain contains many isolated rural communities that were largely cut off from the outside world until roads were built in the mid 20th century. The most significant element of the whole architecture of the area is the palloza or casa teito, stone buildings of astur origin, with a circular or elliptical plan.

Sierra de los Ancares is the name of a Site of Community Importance in the province of León.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Os Ancares UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve
  2. ↑ González Arias, Alejandro,Guía e rutas dos Ancares, Vigo: Editorial Galaxia, 1995, pp 13-14
  3. ↑ Sierra de los Ancares, Urugallo cantábrico website. According to this source, the SCI covers the same area as a regional hunting reserve.

External links

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