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Andalucia,
known to many as "the bridge between two
continents", "the gateway to Europe", "a
melting pot of cultures" or "a meeting point of
two seas" fits perfectly within any of these
definitions.
A
direct link between Europe and Africa, and the place where
the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean, Andalucia has
been fought over by numerous cultures since the earliest
times of civilization, being one of the areas of settlement
of our prehistoric ancestors.
In
Andalucia, contrasts are the norm. The diversity of the
landscapes which make up the region provides an entire
spectrum: from the warm Guadalquivir valley, to leafy low
mountain areas, from volcanic landscapes such as the
Tabernas Desert to the white peaks of Sierra Nevada.
Andalucia's main river, the Guadalquivir, from the Arabic,
meaning "Great River", together with its
tributary, the Genil, forms a fertile valley which
constitutes the fundamental geographical axis of
Andalucia.From its beginnings in eastern Andalucia, in the
Sierra de Cazorla, to its outlet into the sea in the west,
next to the marshes of Dońana National Park, the
Guadalquivir is a source of life all along its journey
across Andalucian territory.
Numerous
tributaries, springing from the mountain areas along its
banks, pour the excess water from the reservoirs in Sierra
Morena or the Betico Mountains into the Guadalquivir. Such
water takes on an important role in regulating the water
supply, not only for human consumption, but also in the case
of heavy rains and the consequent river floods. Despite
the importance of the Guadalquivir, fifty per cent of the
region is mountainous. A third of the territory stands above
600 metres, with many high plains areas, and there are 46
peaks above 1000 metres.
The
queen of heights is undoubtedly the Sierra Nevada, in the
heart of the Penibético System, where summits above 3,400
m, such as el Mulhacén and el Veleta, preside majestically
over the rest of the nearby ranges.
Within
forty kilometres it is possible to travel from this alpine
landscape to the tropical shores of the Mediterranean. The
Andalucian coast, almost 900 km long, is home to a large
number of towns and beaches, the delight of those who visit
them
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