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Spanish Geography

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The Ebro Valley. I have written previously about the unique feel to the Ebro Delta. Now it is time to plan my visit to the neighbouring Ebro Valley. But where to see and what to do? How best do i plan a trip to a part of Spain I have never previously visited? That is the dilemma facing every visitor to Spain who has only enough time to pack, and not enough time to plan. Miravet. When you are preparing to visit a location in Spain, do you research where to see and what to do in advance?

I find that the best way to research a location I am about to visit is to speak to someone who lives there. Dena Rowlands is accustomed to welcoming visitors to the Ebro Valley. So, before setting off north, I though it best to ask Dena some questions. She replied. “All within an hour from the hotel we were staying in on the coast. Tortosa. So what kind of tourist is most attracted to holiday there? Dena said: “The Department of Tourism for the Terres de l’Ebre describes this area as a “new area for rural tourism.”

Almost! Ebro River Delta, Northeastern Spain. The Ebro River Delta, located along the eastern coast of Spain, is one of the largest wetland areas (320 km2) in the western Mediterranean region. The Ebro delta has grown rapidly—the historical rate of growth of the delta is demonstrated by the city of Amposta. This city was a seaport in the 4th Century, and is now located well inland from the current Ebro river mouth. The rounded form of the delta attests to the balance between sediment deposition by the Ebro River and removal of this material by wave erosion. The modern delta is in intensive agricultural use for rice, fruit, and vegetables. White polygonal areas to the north and south of the Ebro River are paddy fields.

The Ebro delta also hosts numerous beaches, marshes, and salt pans that provide habitat for over 300 species of birds. Astronaut photograph ISS009-E-09985 was acquired June 3, 2004 with a Kodak DCS760 digital camera with an 180 mm lens, and is provided by the Earth Observations Laboratory, Johnson Space Center. Catfish and Carp Fishing on the Spanish river Ebro,Caspe, Aragon: Carp Dream Fishing (Accomodation, Guided and Unguided Tours) Parque Natural Lagunas de Ruidera. Información, Actividades y Alojamientos. Lagunas de Ruidera. Map of Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a small, narrow peninsula, located at the southern edge of Spain. It overlooks the Strait of Gibraltar, and the northern coastal areas of Africa. Over the centuries, Gibraltar's unique position at the western entrance of the Mediterranean Sea, made it the focus of territorial power struggles, and those struggles (all be them peaceful) continue to this day.

Ceded to Britain by Spain in 1713, it was declared a British Crown colony in 1830. With the granting of autonomy in 1969, it is today a British Overseas Territory and the UK retains responsibility for its defense, financial stability, foreign relations and internal security. Gibraltar is an important air base and international port, as well as a tourist attraction. The Rock of Gibraltar is the most significant landmark of the region and can be seen for miles. The full History of Gibraltar, from creation to 300 years of being British.

In this comprehensive history of Gibraltar, we will begin with its creation and geology and cover the various attempts to own Gibraltar, leading up to the British/Dutch invasion and the Great Siege; we also include a brief update through to modern day. Creation The Rock of Gibraltar, located off the south-west tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula is 426 metres high (1,396 feet). The Rock is crown property of the United Kingdom and borders to Spain. The sovereignty of Gibraltar was transferred to the United Kingdom by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. (This was of great significance in the history of Gibraltar). Most of the Rock’s upper area is covered by a nature reserve, home to around 250 Barbary Macaque monkeys (the only wild primates found in Europe). Geology The Rock of Gibraltar is made of limestone and was created during the Jurassic period of the history of Gibraltar (200 million years ago).

Neanderthal Gibraltar Cro-Magnon man took over Gibraltar around 24,000 BCE. Pillars of Hercules. Visit Gibraltar - The Official Gibraltar Tourist Board Website. Tourism in Canary Islands in Spain | Visit Canary Islands. These islands are known for being the sunshine centre of Europe, and offer mild temperatures and a range of outstanding natural attractions. In fact, five of its seven islands have been declared a Biosphere Reserve, and the archipelago has four national parks. Its beaches are its most outstanding attractions, and are perfect for relaxing in the sun or enjoying water sports such as windsurfing and scuba diving. In the interior you'll find amazing landscapes which are ideal for hiking, cycle touring, climbing and even caving. Some of the most spectacular include the volcanic scenery of Lanzarote, the beaches of Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria with their sand dunes, or the green forests of La Palma and La Gomera. The Canary Islands also offer a range of cultural options to explore, including the monumental site at San Cristóbal de La Laguna, which has been awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO, and the work of César Manrique in Lanzarote.

Canary Islands. It’s all too easy to land in the Canary Islands and, feeling the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair, scurry straight to an idyllic beach resort or quiet rural retreat, not to be heard from again until the morning of your flight out. Yet while we’re sunbathing, swimming, sailing, snorkelling and strolling, the ‘real’ Canaries are chugging along in the background. Construction is strong in the archipelago; proof of that is the 2.5 million tons of concrete that’s poured annually into hotels, homes and businesses. Agriculture is still alive and well; thousands of Canarios work as farmers, and their growing number of crops (planted across around 520 sq km) are responsible for tasty fruits and veggies and for the often-photographed, well-tended landscapes. New crops such as grapes, avocados, tropical fruits and flowers are contributing to a modern farming miniboom. The fishing industry is also still strong. Read more. Balearic Islands Map / Geography of Balearic Islands / Map of Balearic Islands.

The Balearic Islands, an autonomous division of Spain, are one of the most popular holiday destinations in all of Europe. The well-known island of Mallorca is the largest in the group. There is little history on the earliest inhabitants of the islands, though many legends exist. In modern times, these stunning rocks in the Mediterranean Sea are tourism magnets. Phoenicians eventually laid claim to the islands leaving a trace of their existence in the town of Mago. In the wake of their downfall, the islands became independent, and their people quiet and inoffensive.

Around 461 AD, the Vandals conquered the islands, and then, in early 534, the troops of Belisarius (Byzantine Empire) gained control. The islands became a popular point for pirates in 902, and a shift of power in the Iberian peninsula rendered the islands vulnerable. In 1229, King James I of Aragon seized Palma after a three month long siege, and most of the islands were traded to Peter I, Count of Urgell.

Balearic Islands Tourism: 1,159 Things to Do in Balearic Islands, Spain. Balearic Islands in Spain: spanish coasts | Spain.info for United States. A place to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea. You'll find coves with turquoise waters where pine trees almost reach the sand, a perfect setting for enjoying the great outdoors, Ibiza and its nightlife, and everything you need for a relaxing holiday next to the sea. We're talking about the islands of Majorca, Ibiza, Minorca and Formentera. You can fly to Majorca and Ibiza from many European cities in about two hours and a half.

Picture-perfect islands You'll want to take lots of photos to boast about your holidays when you come to these beaches. In Minorca, for example, you shouldn't miss the coves of Macarella, Mitjana and Turqueta. Most of Formentera's coastline is unspoilt, and you can find beaches such as Ses Illetes and Llevant. In Ibiza you can find beautiful coves, such as Salada, Conta and Vadella, but if you prefer larger and livelier beaches, you should head to Las Salinas or Playa d'en Bossa.

A good way to discover the best coves? Slow tourism and nightlife You decide which you prefer. Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza. Each of these four islands (Islas Baleares, Illes Balears in Catalan), floating serenely in the glittering Mediterranean, could be said to have a theme. Mallorca is the senior island, combining a little of everything, from spectacular mountain scenery and hiking through to the standard sea ‘n’ sun seaside tourism. Ibiza is synonymous with clubbing, the island that gave Europe the rave.

Menorca is a haven of tranquillity – splendid isolated beaches and coves, and prehistoric monuments standing as taciturn reminders of how small we are in the grand scheme of things. And tiny Formentera, a chill-out island, where some people lose themselves for the entire summer, needing little more to keep them happy than white beaches and sunset parties. Each year a massive multinational force invades the islands in search of a piece of this multifaceted paradise. Surprisingly, the islands have managed to maintain much of their intrinsic beauty. Read More. The Pyrenees Mountains. The Pyrenees is a chain of mountains that forms a natural barrier between France and Spain. They extend from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea, a distance of about 270 miles.

They cover an area of over 20,000 square miles. Their average height is only 3,500 ft (1067 m.), but many peaks in the central ranges rise to over 10,000 feet above sea level. The highest point is Pico de Aneto at 11,168 ft (3,404 m.). Glacier fields are found on the northern slopes of the mountains. On the south slope of the Eastern Pyrenees is tiny Andorra, one of the smallest countries in the world. I used to have a Great Pyrenees, which is a famous breed of large white dog that comes from these mountains. HomeDisclaimer. The Spanish Pyrenees Mountains, a huge skiable area. Tourism in Spain.

The Spanish Pyrenees constitute a huge area with endless possibilities for winter sports. These mountains have a range of facilities that are sure to please. There is something for everyone: from small, friendly, family resorts to huge skiable areas. Other common elements you will find in this part of northern Spain are pleasant temperatures, even in winter, and stunning landscapes. On the Spanish side of the Pyrenees Mountains there are a total of sixteen resorts offering skiers everything they could require: an attractive array of après ski activities and services. Catalan Pyrenees Baqueira-Beret is the most outstanding ski resorts to be found in the Catalan Pyrenees.

The La Molina and Masella ski resorts, for their part, have a more peaceful après ski atmosphere, which centres on the town of Puigcerdá, capital of the La Cerdaña region. In the heart of the Boí Valley, right in the central Pyrenees, in the province of Lleida, you will find the Boí Taüll Resort. The Aragon Pyrenees. The pyrenees mountains map and details. The Pyrenees The Pyrenees Mountains form the natural border between France and Spain, and completely engulf the tiny nation of Andorra. The mountains extend for about 270 miles from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea.

The highest point is Pico de Aneto at 11,168 ft. (3,404m) Additional mountain ranges found on the Iberian Peninsula include the Cantabrian, Sierra De Gata and Sierra Guadarrama in the north and central, and the Sierra Morena and Sierra Nevada in the south of Spain. Val d'Aran in the Pyrenees, Catalonia, Spain... by Michael Busselle Buy This at Allposters.com.