The Rif Mountains seen from the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean

Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve. Andalusia (Spain) - Morocco

Andalusia

This space was declared a Nature Reserve by UNESCO in October 2006, and it covers some of the most outstanding natural spaces in the eastern part of the province of Cadiz and the western part of Málaga, Andalusia, southern Spain, and is the first to have a sea within its boundaries. Furthermore, this intercontinental territory encompasses two previously declared Andalusian Biosphere Reserves: Those of the Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra de las Nieves. The Nature Reserves of the Estrecho and Los Alcornocales, the Natural Sites of Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja, Sierra Crestellina, Desfiladero de los Gaitanes and Playas de los Lances, and the Natural Monuments Duna de Bolonia, Pinsapo de las Escaleretas and Cañón de las Buitreras are the rest of the Andalusian territories included in this Reserve.

The natural wealth that both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar possess comes largely from the migratory route that exists between the European and African continents. Thus, in addition to the more than 117 species of birds, the Reserve's characteristic fauna includes mammals such as wild boar and otters.

The Andalusian area as a whole is also characterised by the best representation of Mediterranean scrubland vegetation. Specifically, on both the northern and southern shores of the Strait, there are endemic formations of Spanish firs as well as holm oaks, cork oaks and a wide variety of scrubland and grassland.

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Biosphere Reserve

Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve. Andalusia (Spain) - Morocco

Andalusia

Type of area:Biosphere Reserve Area:431,178.54 hectares Email:dgsaec.csma@juntadeandalucia.es Tel.:+34 955 003 836 Tel.:+34 955 003 400 Website:Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve. Andalusia (Spain) - Morocco

Malaga (Andalusia):

Useful information

What you need to know

  • Cultural information

    The scope of the Reserve in Andalusia is made up of 63 municipalities in the provinces of Cadiz and Malaga. The general objective of this declaration by UNESCO, in addition to protecting the biodiversity of the area, focuses on the sustainable use of resources by local populations and on bringing together two territories that, despite the geographical division, share aspects of their natural and cultural heritage. Thus, over the centuries, both shores have served as a connection between East and West and have contributed to the creation of what is known as the “Andalusian Culture”.

  • Environmental information

    It is dominated by a set of mountain ranges that form an arc open to the Mediterranean Sea, which in turn divided the Bético-Rifeño mountain system into two sections.

  • Information for visits

    The contact details of the visitor centres and information points of the protected natural areas of Andalusia belonging to this Reserve can be found at the Visitor's Window of the Natural Spaces, a website where one can find information about the trails, accommodation, recreational areas, viewpoints, as well as download brochures and maps and guides.