The document summarizes the unique environmental features of the Sierra Nevada mountains and surrounding areas in Spain. It notes that the region has over 2,000 plant species, including 66 endemic species, due to its varied climates and past connection to Africa. It is also home to unique animal species like the Alpine accentor that lives in the high mountains year-round. The region has preserved its historic villages and agriculture despite its arid climate and isolation between the mountains and sea.

1. Landmark Almeria province for its uniqueness and
environmental importance and great beauty,
where you can find numerous endemic species.
The climate of high
mountains with
altitudes near 3000 m,
with significant thermal
gradients, high winds
and lots of sunshine,
hence the name given
by the Arabs (“Sulair”,
mountain of the sun
and the wind).

2. Its location south of the European continent with
very low latitudes, caused adequate shelter for
wildlife who fled the last continental glaciation.
The union in the past
with the African
continent, originated
European
colonization of North
African flora and
fauna that expanded
throughout
Andalusian
mountains.

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

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

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

6. 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.
Among birds we find
the Alpine Accentor,
that lives there the
Alpine accentor
whole year.

7. The wheatear, the skylark, partridge, which
reaches 3,000 meters, and the golden
eagle.
Skylark
Wheatear
Partridge
Golden eagle

8. In the rocky area, the rock thrush and
choughs, moving in flocks.
Choughs
Rock thrush
Mammals include the ibex, the voles
(common and snow) and the bold fox.
Voles
Bold fox

9. 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.
Erebia Hispania
Beetle

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

11. 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

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

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

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

15. Sierra Nevada is
the last great
wall of southern
Europe.

16. “Gata-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.

17. 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.

18. Corals
Parapristipoma octolineatum
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.

19. 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 melas Tortoise