Wooded areas
From the Atlantic forests on the Galician coast to the mountains of the Cantabrian mountain range and the green valleys, these regions of northern Spain are home to lush flora, which has given them their nickname of Green Spain. With almost 5 million hectares of forest, Castilla y León is one of the most forested regions in Spain. Amongst others, the century-old oak forest of Canicosa de la Sierra, with its magnificent specimens, and the Pinar de Guisando, one of the oldest pine forests in the region, are worth mentioning. Galicia also has some superb forests, such as the Fragas do Eume Natural Park, north-east of A Coruña. Following the course of the river Eume, it consists of several species of trees, each with its own space. The oak is the dominant species, with forests covering 2,500 hectares out of a total of 9,000. Among other deciduous trees, chestnut, birch, ash and hazelnut trees are found, as well as evergreen trees such as laurel, arbutus and holly. On the coastline there is a wide variety of mosses, lichens and ferns, one of the emblematic plants of Galicia. In the north of the province of Lugo, near the town of Viveiro, the natural area of Souto da Retorta, also known as the forest of Chavín, surprises with its forest of giant eucalyptus trees, some of which are more than 60 m high! Brought back to Europe by a Galician cleric, they were planted from 1880 onwards to help drain the land watered by the Landro River. Other dense forests cover these regions, such as the Muniellos oak grove and the Somiedo Biosphere Reserve, both located in Asturias, which are real green lungs. In the mountains, on the more humid northern slopes, beech and fir dominate the landscape, while the sunnier and therefore drier southern slopes are covered with oak and pine trees. From the Atlantic coasts to the Cantabrian coast, the land is coloured by broom, and also by sparse forests, testifying to the intensity of the grazing in these regions.
A diversified fauna
The forests, mountains and valleys of these northern regions of Spain are inhabited by a wide variety of animal species, some of which are endemic. However, it is in the mountains that the greatest number of species can be seen, such as the wildcat, the Iberian wolf, the Cantabrian isard and the otter. The most representative species of the Spanish mountain ranges is undoubtedly the Iberian ibex, whose populations are not threatened in the country. Following the Picos de Europa mountains, all along the provinces of Asturias and Cantabria, we will be able to follow the trail of the endangered brown bear. The natural parks of Las Fuentes del Narcea, in the southwest of Asturias, Somiedo, to the east of the former, and Las Ubiñas-La Mesa, even further east, are some of the last refuges for bears on the Iberian Peninsula. In Asturias, especially in the Sierra del Sueve, near Lastres, we can meet the asturcón, a breed of hardy ponies endemic to the region, in a semi-wild state, while in Cantabria we can meet the Tudanca, a traditional breed of cattle specific to this region. As far as birdlife is concerned, these unspoilt regions are home to a myriad of species, varying according to whether you are at altitude or on the coast. The mountains are home to golden eagles, griffon vultures and capercaillies, also known as capercaillie. Peregrine falcons and Egyptian vultures can also be seen in the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Park, which is a well-known bird protection area, as well as eagle owls and fish eagles in the El Cañón del Río Lobos Park, in Castilla y León. The coast, on the other hand, is home to many species of seabirds, such as gulls, cormorants and seagulls. It is also an important migration area, especially in the rivers where large flocks of ducks and waders arrive between November and February. On the east coast of Cantabria, the Las Marismas de Santoña, Victoria and Joyel Natural Park is an important migration point in winter. More than a hundred species of migratory birds can be seen here, including spoonbills, coots and little egrets.
Fishy waters
From the Atlantic Ocean to the Cantabrian Sea, passing through lakes, rivers and streams, the natural waters along or dotted around these lands are rich in fish. In the mountains, trout and salmon are abundant in the rivers. In Cantabria, the Collados del Asón Natural Park is a paradise for these two species. In the different areas of the region, we can also find pike, perch and Arctic char. The salty waters of the Atlantic and Cantabrian Seas reveal sea beds full of fish, cetaceans and crustaceans, especially in the interior of the rivers, which contain a high level of biodiversity. In the Cantabrian Sea, whales and dolphins can be seen off the coast. Sardines, sole, monkfish, sea bass and sea bream can be caught, among other species. Not to mention the famous crustaceans such as shrimps, crabs, langoustines, sea urchins and lobsters. The coastline, especially along the Atlantic, abounds in various shellfish such as clams, oysters, cockles and razor clams. On the steep rocks of Galicia, especially on the Costa de la Muerte, many percebeiros continue to fish for barnacles at their own risk in the face of the powerful ocean waves. On the Rías Bajas side, the mussels are the queens of the coast, they are raised in fusion off the coast, on a multitude of ropes fixed on a floating structure, built in eucalyptus wood. Thus, almost all the production of Spain, world leader in this field, comes from the Galician coast. Vigo, in the heart of this ría, is one of the largest fishing ports in Europe.
