El Torcal de Antequera: Difference between revisions
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{{infobox historic site |
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| image = Rocks El Torcal de Antequera karst Andalusia Spain.jpg |
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| ⚫ | '''El Torcal de Antequera''' is a nature reserve in the Sierra del Torcal mountain range located south of the city of [[Antequera]], in the [[Province of Málaga|province]] of [[Málaga]] |
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| caption = Karst in the Torcal de Antequera |
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| designation1 = WHS |
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| designation1_offname = [[Antequera Dolmens Site]] |
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| designation1_date = 2016 <small>(40th [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small> |
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| designation1_type = Cultural |
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| designation1_criteria = i, iii, iv |
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| designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1501 1501-002] |
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| designation1_free1name = Region |
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| designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe and North America]] |
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}} |
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| ⚫ | '''El Torcal de Antequera''' is a nature reserve in the Sierra del Torcal mountain range located south of the city of [[Antequera]], in the [[Province of Málaga|province]] of [[Málaga]] of the [[A45 road (Spain)|A45 road]] in [[Andalusia]], [[Spain]]. It is known for its unusual landforms and is regarded as one of the most impressive [[karst]] landscapes in [[Europe]]. The area was designated a Natural Site of National Interest in July 1929, and a Natural Park Reserve of about 17 square kilometres was created in October 1978. |
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==Geology== |
==Geology== |
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The Sierra del Torcal (or El Torcal) is a small mountain range separating the cities of [[Antequera]] and [[Málaga]]. It has four geological sections: Sierra Pelada, Torcal Alto, Torcal Bajo and Tajos and Laderas. The highest point in El Torcal is Camorro de las Siete Mesas (1336 m) in the Torcal Alto. |
The Sierra del Torcal (or El Torcal) is a small mountain range separating the cities of [[Antequera]] and [[Málaga]]. It has four geological sections: Sierra Pelada, Torcal Alto, Torcal Bajo, and Tajos and Laderas. The highest point in El Torcal is Camorro de las Siete Mesas (1336 m) in the Torcal Alto. |
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| ⚫ | The [[Jurassic]] age limestone is about 150 million years old and was laid down in a marine corridor that extended from the Gulf of [[Cádiz]] to [[Alicante]] between the present Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. These seabeds were uplifted to an elevation of over 1300 meters during the Tertiary era, resulting in a modest mountain range of flat-lying limestone, which is rare in [[Andalucia]]. Later, a series of fractures, cracks and faults at right angles (generally NW-SE and NE-SW) were exploited by [[erosion]] and produced the alleys between large blocks of limestone visible today. The blocks themselves have been subjected to both dissolution by water (karstification) and freeze-thaw splitting action which, working on the limestone's horizontal beds, resulted in the various shapes visible today, many of which resemble, and have been named after, everyday objects such as the Sphinx, the Jug, the Camel, the Screw, etc. Other flat surfaces have been karstified into rugged, rocky lands where travel on foot is difficult.<ref name="readersnatural">{{Cite book|title=Natural Wonders of the World|publisher=Reader's Digest Association, Inc|year=1980|isbn=0-89577-087-3|editor-last=Scheffel|editor-first=Richard L.|location=United States of America|pages=387|editor-last2=Wernet|editor-first2=Susan J.}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The Jurassic age limestone is about 150 million years old and was laid down in a marine corridor that extended from the Gulf of [[Cádiz]] to [[Alicante]] between the present Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. These seabeds were uplifted to an elevation of over 1300 meters during the Tertiary era, resulting in a modest mountain range of flat-lying limestone, which is rare in [[Andalucia]]. Later, a series of fractures, cracks and faults at right |
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{{clear}} |
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{{Wide image|El tornillo del Torcal.jpg|600px|The "Tornillo"}} |
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==Biology== |
==Biology== |
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[[File:Torcal cabra montés.jpg|thumb| |
[[File:Torcal cabra montés.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Spanish ibex]], Torcal de Antequera]] |
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El Torcal supports an impressive array of wildflowers including rock-dwellers<ref name="Fauna"/> such as ''[[Linaria anticaria]]'', ''[[Saxifraga biternata]]'', ''[[Linaria oblongifolia]]'', ''[[Viola demetria]]'', ''[[Saxifraga reuterana]]'', ''[[Polypodium australe]]'', and other plants like lilies, red [[peony|peonies]], [[wild rose tree]]s and thirty varieties of orchid. The many species of reptiles include the [[Montpellier snake]]<ref name="Fauna">{{in lang|es}} [http://www.torcaldeantequera.com/el-torcal/fauna-y-vegetacion/ Fauna y vegetación] at the El Torcal website</ref> and [[ocellated lizard]].<ref name="Fauna"/><ref>Arnold and Ovenden (2002), ''Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians, Britain & Europe''</ref> Other life includes the [[Griffon vulture]],<ref name="Fauna"/> the [[Spanish ibex|Spanish ibex (Andalusian mountain goat)]], and nocturnal mammals such as [[badger]]s, [[weasel]]s and rodents. |
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El Torcal supports an impressive array of wildflowers including lilies, nazarenes, red peonies, wild rose trees and thirty varieties of orchid. The many species of reptiles include the Montpelier Snake and Eyed Lizard, both [[Endemism|endemic]] to El Torcal. Other life includes the Griffon vulture, the [[Spanish ibex|Spanish Ibex (Andalusian mountain goat)]], and nocturnal mammals such as [[badger]], [[weasel]] and rodents. |
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==Visitor facilities== |
==Visitor facilities== |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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{{Commons category|El Torcal}} |
{{Commons category|El Torcal}} |
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* {{es}} [http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/proyecto_PAN/tantequera/principal.htm Visitor information] from the [http://www.juntadeandalucia.es Junta de Andalucía] |
* {{in lang|es}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20060713040429/http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/proyecto_PAN/tantequera/principal.htm Visitor information] from the [http://www.juntadeandalucia.es Junta de Andalucía] |
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* [ |
* [https://maps.google.com/?ll=36.95922,-4.553146&spn=0.229345,0.468292&t=h&om=1|El Satellite view of the Torcal] from [[Google Maps]] |
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*{{es}}[http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/servtc5/ventana/mostrarFicha.do?idEspacio=7404 Paraje Natural Torcal of Antequera] |
*{{in lang|es}} [http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/servtc5/ventana/mostrarFicha.do?idEspacio=7404 Paraje Natural Torcal of Antequera] |
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*Gonzalez, David. Map and Guide of El Torcal. 3rd Edition. ISBN |
*Gonzalez, David. Map and Guide of El Torcal. 3rd Edition. {{ISBN|978-84-613-9584-2}} |
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{{Antequera Dolmens Site}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Geography of the Province of Málaga]] |
[[Category:Geography of the Province of Málaga]] |
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[[Category:Protected areas of Andalusia]] |
[[Category:Protected areas of Andalusia]] |
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[[Category:Rock formations of Spain]] |
[[Category:Rock formations of Spain]] |
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[[Category:Landforms of Andalusia]] |
[[Category:Landforms of Andalusia]] |
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[[Category:Nature reserves in Spain]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:01, 25 June 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2013) |
| El Torcal de Antequera | |
|---|---|
 Karst in the Torcal de Antequera | |
| Coordinates | 36°57′49″N 4°32′44″W / 36.96361°N 4.54556°W |
| Official name | Antequera Dolmens Site |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, iii, iv |
| Designated | 2016 (40th session) |
| Reference no. | 1501-002 |
| Region | Europe and North America |
El Torcal de Antequera is a nature reserve in the Sierra del Torcal mountain range located south of the city of Antequera, in the province of Málaga of the A45 road in Andalusia, Spain. It is known for its unusual landforms and is regarded as one of the most impressive karst landscapes in Europe. The area was designated a Natural Site of National Interest in July 1929, and a Natural Park Reserve of about 17 square kilometres was created in October 1978.
Geology
[edit]The Sierra del Torcal (or El Torcal) is a small mountain range separating the cities of Antequera and Málaga. It has four geological sections: Sierra Pelada, Torcal Alto, Torcal Bajo, and Tajos and Laderas. The highest point in El Torcal is Camorro de las Siete Mesas (1336 m) in the Torcal Alto.
The Jurassic age limestone is about 150 million years old and was laid down in a marine corridor that extended from the Gulf of Cádiz to Alicante between the present Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. These seabeds were uplifted to an elevation of over 1300 meters during the Tertiary era, resulting in a modest mountain range of flat-lying limestone, which is rare in Andalucia. Later, a series of fractures, cracks and faults at right angles (generally NW-SE and NE-SW) were exploited by erosion and produced the alleys between large blocks of limestone visible today. The blocks themselves have been subjected to both dissolution by water (karstification) and freeze-thaw splitting action which, working on the limestone's horizontal beds, resulted in the various shapes visible today, many of which resemble, and have been named after, everyday objects such as the Sphinx, the Jug, the Camel, the Screw, etc. Other flat surfaces have been karstified into rugged, rocky lands where travel on foot is difficult.[1]
Like many massive limestones, the Torcal includes caves and other underground forms, some of them of historical importance like the Cueva del Toro (Cave of the Bull) with its Neolithic artifacts. Their origins are also related to the dissolution of underground limestone by rainwater.
Biology
[edit]
El Torcal supports an impressive array of wildflowers including rock-dwellers[2] such as Linaria anticaria, Saxifraga biternata, Linaria oblongifolia, Viola demetria, Saxifraga reuterana, Polypodium australe, and other plants like lilies, red peonies, wild rose trees and thirty varieties of orchid. The many species of reptiles include the Montpellier snake[2] and ocellated lizard.[2][3] Other life includes the Griffon vulture,[2] the Spanish ibex (Andalusian mountain goat), and nocturnal mammals such as badgers, weasels and rodents.
Visitor facilities
[edit]El Torcal is accessible by paved road from the village of Villanueva de la Concepción. A small gift shop and interpretive center at the parking area is the starting point for a short walk to an impressive viewpoint and three color-coded hiking trails of 1.5 km, 2.5 km and 4.5 km length which include many scenic viewpoints.
Because of temperature extremes, most visitation occurs in the spring and fall.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. p. 387. ISBN 0-89577-087-3.
- ^ a b c d (in Spanish) Fauna y vegetación at the El Torcal website
- ^ Arnold and Ovenden (2002), Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians, Britain & Europe
External links
[edit]
- (in Spanish) Visitor information from the Junta de Andalucía
- Satellite view of the Torcal from Google Maps
- (in Spanish) Paraje Natural Torcal of Antequera
- Gonzalez, David. Map and Guide of El Torcal. 3rd Edition. ISBN 978-84-613-9584-2
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