times
yet without losing any part of their idiosyncrasies
A natural archipelago
The Columbretes Islands are the best example
of volcanism within the Valencian Community.
This singular group of islands occupies
5 nautical miles and a total surface area
of 19 hectares. They are some of the most
ecologically interesting Mediterranean islands.
The islands’ fauna and flora have
been clearly influenced by their isolation.
This natural reserve also has a very valuable
sea floor.
An emblematic landscape
Las Palmas desert’s mountains form
a big natural amphitheatre protecting
Benicàssim. It is one of the most
emblematic landscapes within the Valencian
Community. The protected, abrupt area
occupies 3.200 hectares. Despite its name,
the landscape is not dessert-like. On
the contrary it is characterised for having
thick vegetation.
An originality
of landscapes
This is a highly saline humid area. It
was designed as a Natural Park in 1994
and occupies 912 hectares of a peculiar
ecosystem. Among its fauna there are birds
such as canasteras, ash eaglets and royal
warblers and other endemic species such
as “gambetas”, “fartets”
and “samarucs”. Its flora
comprises species such as the sea juniper
or the yellow-flowered aristolochia.
The last virgin
mountain
The Irta mountain range with its 20 kilometres
of abrupt coast, north of Castellón
is the last virgin mountain range along
the Valencian coastline. Its 20 m plus
high cliffs hold plants of a great natural
value. There are important marine ecosystems
along over one km of coastline, such as
the prairies of oceanic Posidonia, the
place being a habitat for ornithological
jewels.
The Mediterranean
Eden
The Espadán mountain range is the
largest protected Natural Park in the
Valencian Community and is one of the
best kept. It occupies 31.000 hectares
inhabited by species of a high scientific
and biogeographic interest. Another interesting
fact about the area is the low lime content
water, ideal for human consumption.
