Landmark Almeria province for its uniqueness and Landmark Almeria province for its uniqueness and environmental importance and great beauty, environmental importance and great beauty, where you can find numerous endemic species.where you can find numerous endemic species.  

The climate of high The climate of high mountains with mountains with altitudes near 3000 m, altitudes near 3000 m, with significant thermal with significant thermal gradients, high winds gradients, high winds and lots of sunshine, and lots of sunshine, hence the name given hence the name given by the Arabs (“Sulair”, by the Arabs (“Sulair”, mountain of the sun mountain of the sun and the wind).and the wind).

  Its location south of the European continent with Its location south of the European continent with very low latitudes, caused adequate shelter for very low latitudes, caused adequate shelter for wildlife who fled the last continental glaciation.wildlife who fled the last continental glaciation.

The union in the past The union in the past with the African with the African continent, originated continent, originated European European colonization of North colonization of North African flora and African flora and fauna that expanded fauna that expanded throughout throughout Andalusian Andalusian mountains.mountains.

 All these environmental factors All these environmental factors together made the flora and fauna together made the flora and fauna evolve leading to the large amount evolve leading to the large amount of unique species that cannot be of unique species that cannot be found in the rest of the world.found in the rest of the world.   

 

Thymus serpylloides

Variety and richness are undoubtedly the Variety and richness are undoubtedly the best adjectives that can define the flora of best adjectives that can define the flora of Sierra Nevada, with more than 2,000 plant Sierra Nevada, with more than 2,000 plant species of the 8,000 that make up the species of the 8,000 that make up the Spanish flora.Spanish flora.

ZamárragalOTUS GLAREOSUSlOTUS GLAREOSUS

  We find examples of all bioclimatic zones, We find examples of all bioclimatic zones, with more than 2100 higher plants. But with more than 2100 higher plants. But uniqueness is what most characterizes the uniqueness is what most characterizes the flora of the massif, to accommodate at flora of the massif, to accommodate at least 66 local endemic or unique species least 66 local endemic or unique species like the iconic star of the snows. like the iconic star of the snows.

Star of the snows

The arid and low rainfall climatology of this mountain give it a steppe character, which determines undoubtedly the kind of wildlife that lives here.

It is the high mountain which houses the most unique animal species of Sierra Nevada.

Alpine accentorAlpine accentor

Among birds we find the Alpine Accentor, that lives there the whole year.

The wheatear, the skylark, partridge, which reaches 3,000 meters, and the golden eagle.

WheatearWheatearSkylarkSkylark

PartridgePartridge

Golden eagleGolden eagle

Mammals include the ibex, the voles Mammals include the ibex, the voles (common and snow) and the bold fox.(common and snow) and the bold fox.

Rock thrush Rock thrush

In the rocky area, the rock thrush and In the rocky area, the rock thrush and choughs, moving in flocks. choughs, moving in flocks.

ChoughsChoughs

Bold foxBold fox

VolesVoles

Insects are the most interesting group, with more than 100 endemic species, noted for its richness and variety the Coleoptera or beetles, which live among the bushes, taking an inconspicuous appearance (black color and chubby body) due to their adaptation to the high insolation and high winds.

Beetle

Erebia HispaniaErebia Hispania

We also find the group of ants and the We also find the group of ants and the butterflies, represented by a large number of butterflies, represented by a large number of species, including endemic Parnasius. apollo species, including endemic Parnasius. apollo subsp. nevadensis and Erebia hispanica.subsp. nevadensis and Erebia hispanica.

ButterflyButterfly

AntsAnts

Agriculture is the main resource of the mountains; cereals, vines and olive trees are the most common crops. In the protected valleys abound and better watered we find cherry, apple, walnut and hazelnut trees.

olive trees

vines

There are also magnificent chestnut trees, adapted and naturalized since the sixteenth century, occupying the wetter headwaters of streams and ravines.

Cherry-treesChestnut tree

Wedged between the mountains of Sierra Wedged between the mountains of Sierra Nevada and the Mediterranean Sea, the Nevada and the Mediterranean Sea, the region of Las Alpujarras lies within the region of Las Alpujarras lies within the province of Almería. province of Almería.

Las Alpujarras is a peaceful region of great Las Alpujarras is a peaceful region of great beauty that retains its unique history, beauty that retains its unique history, architecture, crafts and food. The amazing architecture, crafts and food. The amazing scenery that we can enjoy is dotted with small scenery that we can enjoy is dotted with small picturesque white villages hanging on the picturesque white villages hanging on the slopes as Laujar of Andarax, Ohanes, Bayarcal, slopes as Laujar of Andarax, Ohanes, Bayarcal, Alboloduy, etc ...Alboloduy, etc ...

Sierra Nevada is the last great wall of southern Europe.

““Gata-Nijar Cape” Natural ParkGata-Nijar Cape” Natural Park

Only 100 km of the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada National Park we find this magnificent natural environment, being unique in Europe for its volcanic past and desertic climate.

All these factors have shaped a coastal landscape dotted with pristine beaches and reefs like the Sirens, where sailors confounded the siren songs with shouts of monk seals.

The richness of the natural environment lies not only in the uniqueness of the landscape, or in the adaptation of flora to overcome summer drought. One of its greatest natural exponents is the natural beauty and natural value of its seabed.

CoralsCorals

Parapristipoma octolineatumParapristipoma octolineatum

Its sea consists of oceanic Posidonia. These extensions are underwater green food and shelter numerous species of crustaceans, molluscs and fish. It isn’t anecdotic the sightings of a variety of Cetaceans.

Globicephala melasGlobicephala melas TortoiseTortoise