- Picos de Europa
Geobox|Range
name=Picos de Europa
other_name= _en. Peaks of Europe
etymology=Europe |etymology_type=Named for
image_caption=The peaks of the Central Massif overlooking the village of Sotres, in Cabrales
country=Spain
unit=
geology= limestone
period= | period1 =
orogeny= |borders=
area=646 | length= | length_orientation=WE
width= | width_orientation=
highest=Torre de Cerredo
highest_elevation=2648
highest_lat_d=43|highest_lat_m=11|highest_lat_s=51|highest_lat_NS=N
highest_long_d=04|highest_long_m=51|highest_long_s=06|highest_long_EW=W
map_caption=
region=Iberian Peninsula
parent=Cantabrian MountainsThe Picos de Europa (literally: "Peaks of Europe") is a range of
mountain s some 20 km inland from the northern coast ofSpain , located in the Autonomous Communities ofAsturias ,Cantabria andCastile and León , forming part of theCantabrian Mountains . The most widely-accepted origin for the name is that they were the first sight of Europe for the ships arriving from AmericaGeography
It consists of three major
massif s - Central, Eastern and Western (also known as the Picos de Cornión). The Central and Western massifs are separated by the mile-deep (1.5 km deep) Cares Canyon (Garganta del Cares), with the village of Caín at its head. The waters in the Cares mostly arise fromcave resurgences. Some of the water in the Cares river is diverted through ahydroelectric scheme, with acanal running in the northern wall of the gorge toCamarmeña . An access path next to the canal provides a spectacular walk.Almost all the rock is
limestone and glacial action has contributed to create an extremely impressive area of alpinekarst . The highest peak isTorre de Cerredo , with an altitude of 2648 metres at coord|43|11|51|N|4|51|06|W. Many others reach altitudes of over 2400 m. The area is popular withmountaineer s, climbers and mountain walkers. There is a good network of well-established mountain refuges. The best-known climbing site is theNaranjo de Bulnes .Nature
Cantabrian brown bear s ("Ursus arctos pyrenaicus"),Iberian lynx es ("Lynx pardinus") and wolves ("Canis lupus signatus") live in the remoter regions. Rebeccos (Cantabrianchamois - "Rupicapra pyrenaica parva") are fairly frequently seen (according to a 2006 Ministry of the Environment report, there were around 8,000 that year);Chough s and Buzzards are common and there is a diverse butterfly population in the park.Most of the region is now protected as a single "
Picos de Europa National Park " inCantabria ,Asturias and León provinces of Spain; the Asturian part was Spain's first National Park. Access is via minor roads to each of the threemassif s from the north and from the south to theaerial tramway at Fuente Dé and to Caín at the head of the Cares Canyon.Caves
The Picos de Europa contain many of Spain's deepest caves, including Torca del Cerro (−1589 m), Sima de la Cornisa (−1507 m), Torca los Rebecos (−1255 m) and Pozo del Madejuno (−1252 m). Discovery of new caves and their exploration still continues.
Gastronomy
The Picos support a dwindling group of
shepherd s who move up from the valleys in the summer with theirsheep ,goat s,cow s, and an occasionalpig . The area is famed for its piquant bluecheese s, such as Queso de Cabrales, traditionally matured incave s.External links
* [http://www.spanishminerals.com/picosdeeuropadata.htm Information (english languaje) about Picos de Europa Mountains]
* [http://www.asturiaspicosdeeuropa.com/ Asturias and the Picos de Europa]
* [http://www.picoseuropa.net/ National Park website and online Picos de Europa mountanieer community]
* [http://www.picoseuropa.info Picos de Europa y Amieva]
* [http://www.llanes.as/guia/pnc/index.htm Picos de Europa at Llanes]
* [http://www.visitasturias.co.uk/subpage1.html2.html Picos de Europa Asturias (English)]
* [http://www.rutasporcantabria.com/homengl.htm Routes in Cantabria and Picos de Europa, in English]
* [http://www.rutasporcantabria.com/picos_pictures.php Pictures of Picos de Europa, in English]
* [http://www.iberianwildlife.com/picos-europa/flora-fauna-picos-europa.htm Picos de Europa: a naturalist's paradise] Wildlife in the Picos de Europa
* [http://www.oucc.org.uk/procs/proc10/proc10_conts.htm Sistema del Hito / Xitu caves]
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