Eighteen percent of Andalucia is protected land, the main classifications of which are National and Nature Parks. Fifty percent of Andalucia is mountainous and one third is above an altitude of 600 metres, including some extensive plateaus, and 46 peaks reach more than 1,00 metres. The Sierra Nevada mountain range (5) has two peaks, Mulhacen and Valeta, which are higher than 3,400 metres.

The Guadalquivir River, one of the longest in Spain, runs between two mountainous areas, the Sierra Morena mountains (which contain the Natural Parks 15, 16 and 17) to the north and the Betica ranges to the south. The river, whose source is in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park(10) in Jean Province in the east and estuary in the western marshlands on the Atlantic coast of the Donana National Park (18), has created a fertile valley running through Andalucia´s territory.

1 Montes de Malaga
2 Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara & Alhama
3 Sierra Subbetica Natural Park
4 Sierra de Huetor
5 Sierra Nevada Natural Park
6 Sierra de Baza
7 Cabo de Gata-Nijar
8 Sierra de Maria los Velez
9 Sierra de Castril
10 Sierra Cazorla, Segura y Villas
11 Sierra Magina
12 Despenaperros

13 Sierra de Andujar
14 Sierra de Cardena y Montoro
15 Sierra de Hornachuelos
16 Sierra Norte de Sevilla
17 Aracena y Picos de Aroche
18 Donana National Park
19 Bahia de Cadiz
20 Brena y Marismas de Barbate
21 El Estrecho
22 Los Alcornocales
23 Sierra de Grazalema
24 Sierra de las Nieves

Andalucia is situated at the meeting point where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, at the Staights of Gibraltar, and Europe gives way to Africa. The proximity between the two continents encourages migrating birds to collect together in vast flocks whilst waiting for good weather conditions to assist their outward and inward journeys.

The diversity of the topography and terrain allows many species of wildlife, some endangered, to exist and flourish in the protected terrestrial and marine reserves.

The map above shows the positon of the parks and below you can click on each for more information.