Sierra de Baza

The Sierra de Baza is in Andalusia (Spain ), located mountain and Nature Park. It lies in the east of the province of Granada between Sierra Nevada and the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, from which it is separated by the high levels of Valle del Marquesado in the south and Hoya de Guadix and Hoya de Baza in the north. To the east, it continues in the Sierra de los Filabres continued. Geologically, it is part of the Betic Cordillera.

With numerous peaks over 2,000 m (the highest is the Calar de Santa Bárbara, 2,269 m ), the Sierra de Baza high mountain character. Geologically, the Sierra de Baza to the inner zone of the Betic Cordillera, the metamorphic rocks in the eastern part of the Nevado - Filabriden, the limestone in the west to the Alpujarriden. Thus, the scenic west differs significantly from the east: in the west limestone prevails, the individual mountain ranges separated by deep valleys. In the east metamorphic rock forms a more compact Mountains, in the gorges of the rivers are cut so regularly that sometimes a " grill pattern " is formed.

Of particular interest are botanically firstly, the pine forests at altitudes exceeding 2,000 m, as the Scots pine in the Mediterranean is a relic of the Ice Age, on the other humid high mountain meadows. In contrast, the largest area is covered by pine afforestation. Of the original oak forests are only small remnants remain.

The once- in area occurring brown bears and wolves have long been eradicated, deer and wild boar were reintroduced, and wild and genet live here. Above all, the observer will see numerous birds of prey, including hawk, hawk eagles, golden eagles and eagle owls.

From the people, the area has been inhabited since the Stone Age, as discoveries in caves around the Monte Jabalcón show. The most famous archaeological finding, the " Dama de Baza ", an Iberian sculpture is exhibited in Madrid Archaeological Museum Nacional de España. In the 19th century, a period of intensive forestry use and grazing of the forest, which is still continued began. However, people no longer live in the mountains, numerous places in the natural park are uninhabited. "Capital" is the city located outside of Baza Natural Park.