Basque Country green areas - Nature
 |
Spain guide < Home | |||
 |
Spain provinces villages | |||
 |
Spain Andalucia enterteinments | |||
 |
Spain Andalucia culture | |||
 |
Contact us |
 |
 |
|
Basque Country Information: BASQUE COUNTRY NATURE |
 Rambling plains, mountain ranges, green forests, rich marshes and relaxing beaches. Nature lovers have plenty to discover in the Basque Country. Although the wide range of beautiful and rugged landscape is easily found in the nature reserves, it is also a feature of many other parts of the province. Deep countryside is only minutes from the towns and cities. Both active tourism enthusiasts and those only coming along for the views will be in their element. But it's not all green. The Basque Country offers any amounts of different landscapes sure to delight lovers of the open countryside: steep cliffs and gentle beaches in the coastal cities; green valleys set around little rivers; mountainous ranges offering all sorts of pleasant walks; sweeping plains with a different colour and climate. Despite its high population density, almost 290 inhabitants per square kilometre, and the heavy industrialisation of certain areas, with their subsequent environmental problems, the Basque Country has nevertheless managed to preserve its natural resources. Proof of this are the several nature reserves making it possible to enjoy flora and fauna in their virtually pure state. Humid and dry The little over 7,200 km2 covered by the Basque Autonomous Community offers two main kinds of landscape. On the one hand is the wide, green, humid and mountainous coastal belt of Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, and the mountains of Alava. On the other, the extensive, dry meridional plains of southern Alava as they head towards the landscape and climate of the succeeding Castilian meseta. The Alavese plain serves as an area of transition between the two extremes. This difference is clearly reflected in the local . hydrographic attributes. The rivers flowing into the Bay of Biscay (Mayor, Ibaizabal-Nervion, Butron, aka, Lea, Artibai, Deba, Urola, aria, Urumea and Bidasoa) are fairly short, steep and run along the bottom of little valleys. On the other side of the mountains, however, the rivers of Alava become wider and meander a while before their waters flow into the river Ebro in the Rioja alavesa region. These two hydrographic areas are likewise responsible for different climates. In the north, the weather is oceanic, with mild temperatures in both winter and summer and a fair amount of rain. In the south, however, the climate is catalogued as being of the continental kind, that is, dryer but with more extreme temperatures. Penas de Aia, a rocky islet The surface of the Basque Country could be compared to a crumpled piece of paper coated in green, where mountain ranges give way to deep valleys, rivers and countless interesting geological formations such as the Peiias de Aia or Aiako Harria which, now standing for over three hundred million years, is the only granite massif in the country and the oldest mountain to boot. We mustn't forget that during the second epoch, today's Peiias de Aia was actually an islet rising out of the sea. It wasn't until well into the same era that it rose to the surface and became a part of the Basque landscape. The medium-height mountains so typical of today's Basque landscape have endowed the locals with a deep-rooted love of mountaineering excursions. The visitor can also set off into the mountains, virtually all of which have well indicated itineraries that they can follow either on foot or atop a mountain bike. That's the best way to discover the rambling beech and oak forests that have survived the massive plantation of pino insignis.  Natural areas The Basque Country currently has a number of protected natural areas, as well as others in the process of acquiring this qualification, in which important fauna and flora recovery projects are underway. Urkiola, Valderejo, Izki, Gorbeia, Aralar and Aiako Harria already have the denomination of Nature Reserve, while the Urdaibai wetland has the title of Biosphere Reserve. These natural lungs conserve an important heritage, with a wealth of flora and fauna consisting both of typical central European species and others from further south. Particular attention should be paid to Gorbeia Nature Reserve, which straddles the provinces of Alava and Bizkaia, with its constant population of deer and roe deer, not to mention other mammals such as the wild boar, the otter and the European mink. Valderejo, on the far western extreme of Alava, is another symbolic spot. The gorge of the river Puron, which runs through the valley, offers a spectacular landscape with beautiful waterfalls and pools. The park also houses of a wealth of fauna which is often, as is the case of the Griffon vulture (symbol of the park), easy to spot. Special mention should be made of the Bizkaian area of Urdaibai, declared Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO in 1984. The fluvial valley giving shape to the Gernika estuary forms the biggest wetland in the Basque Country. Urdaibai is an example of ecological diversity, and is a privileged observation point for birdwatchers. Seeking out the different animal species in this environment is, together with the pleasure of casting the eye over its beautiful landscapes, one of the attractions of the different nature reserves that bring a breath of fresh air to the Basque Country. Those wishing to discover the local fauna in a more comfortable fashion can visit the Parque Ecologico de Bizkaia, at El Carpin estate, Carranza, in the Encartaciones region. This attractive park, which houses an animal recovery centre and a nature classroom, provides shelter to a number of bears, deer, roe deer, mountain cats, badgers, wild boar, eagles, falcons, owls and several other species. The coast One of the great attractions of the Basque Country, not to mention its mountains and nature reserves, is its coastline. The 252 kilometres of cornice flanking the Bay of Biscay alternate between steep cliffs some of which are quite high - river outflows, the occasional mudflat of important ecological interest, and beaches carpeted with fine sand. Most Basque beaches offer good services and the chance to practise a whole range of water sports. The bays of Hondarribia, Donostia-San Sebastian and Plentzia are excellent for windsurfing and yachting. The lively swell of the Bay of Biscay gives rise to particularly good surfing areas. Although Zarautz, Zumaia and Sopelana attract hordes of surfers, the most popul'ar spot is Mundaka. The bottom of the sea is also a good place to have fun, and there are several recommended diving points, such as the capes of Billano, Matxitxako and Ogono, in Bizkaia, or the coastal areas of Igeldo and Jaizkibel in Gipuzkoa. The Basque coast offers boat owners seven marinas: Getxo, Plenzia, Bermeo, Lekeitio, Getaria, Donostia-San Sebastian and Hondarribia. |
 |
|||||
|
|||||
 |
The best service | ||||
|
Unlimited Km | ||||
|
No coach needed | ||||
|
No queues | ||||
|
24h road assistance | ||||
|
Full equipe | ||||
|
Credit C. not required | ||||
|
Free extra driver | ||||
|
No waiting time | ||||
|
All taxes included | ||||
 |
Spain Information: Culture and Tourist Guide | |
||
| Malaga cultural | Enterteinments | Airports | ||
| Weather | Spain Provinces | General Info | ||
Malaga car hire Spain | Spain tourist information | Car hire at Malaga airport | Lanzarote car hire | Car hire Malaga Airport Spain
Car hire Malaga | Fuengirola car hire | Torremolinos car hire | Spain Provinces & White Villages | Malaga Information
Recommended sites | Travel directory | Site map | Terms and Conditions | Marbella car hire
© Carmalaga.com - Last Updated: Saturday, October 07, 2006