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outside the majestic cathedral
A cool breeze kept the upper decks clear
School Children on a Field Trip
Botanical GardensNatural Park of Grazalema.The...
Natural Park of Grazalema.The sierra of Grazalema was the first area to be declared a Natural Park in Andalucia (a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1977), and is one of the most ecologically important areas of Spain.
The area is famous for its spectacular limestone cliffs and landscape of gullies, caverns and gorges, the most spectacular being La Verde, with rocky walls that rise almost vertically for 400 metres. It contains the highest point in the province of Cádiz, El Torreón, at 1,654 metres.
The diverse flora contrast with the production of cork from the area. Growth here is boosted by the high rainfall-the sierra de Grazalema gets more rain than any other part of Andalucia.
As for the fauna, the lion buzzard dominates the skies here, with one of the biggest breeding populations in Europe. It competes for airspace with six different species of eagle, as well as goshawks and Egyptian vultures.
The charming white village of Grazalema is set between two towering peaks, the Pico del Reloj and the Pico de San Cristóbal. The region is noted for its Mediterranean plant species, and the magnificent forest of Spanish fir found in the Sierra del Pinar. The abundant local fauna includes the griffon vulture, chamois, deer, roebuck, Egyptian mongoose, imperial and royal eagle, osprey and Egyptian vulture.
The region is sprinkled with picturesque villages well worth the visit, like Zahara de la Sierra, and there is an archaeological site of major importance at La Pileta, a cave with paintings from the Paleolithic period.
A basic industry here is leather items made from goatskin. There is a growing tourist infrastructure, with opportunities for hunting and fishing. Human activity here dates back to Palaeolithic times, as the cave paintings in the Cueva de la Pileta testify. The land is still maintained with a view to a healthy balance between productivity and conservation
