A model of natural conservation

Área de Allariz was designated Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005. It is especially important for its cultural values and for the sustainable use made of its resources, allowing for the conservation of local flora and fauna.

Área de Allariz is located in Galicia, in northwestern Spain, in the province of Ourense. It is formed by the depression of the Limia River, and the area is surrounded by mountains. In the north are the granite mountains of Allariz. There are three types of landscapes of particular interest in the region. They coexists side by side and interrelate environmentally. They are: the "veigas", (plains) located on the banks of the Limia and Antela Rivers, with herbaceous vegetation and shrubs; the "touzas", a patchwork of meadows and cultivated areas separated by woods; the "sebes", mixed forests of common oak and Pyrenean oak. This variety of habitats allows for a wide range of fauna, with a mixture of common and endangered species. Área de Allariz is also important on account of is cultural heritage - it is one of the areas of Galicia where traditional activities and practices are maintained, helping to conserve the environment.