Sierra de María-Los Vélez National Park

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Cave painting at the Cueva de los Letreros. It depicts the "indalo" symbol.
Cave painting at the Cueva de los Letreros. It depicts the "indalo" symbol.

Sierra de María-Los Vélez National Park (Parque Natural de Sierra de María-Los Vélez) is a natural park of Spain. It is situated in Almería province. It was designated a natural park in 1987 and covers 226.7 km². The park encompasses pine forests and supports a varied flora, including some species unique to the Sierra.[1] Its highest peak is the María, a limestone outcrop of 2,045 meters.[2] Fauna includes 100 bird species, including 17 species of birds of prey, and a butterfly subspecies of parnassius apollo, which can only be found in this area.

The area was inhabited in prehistoric times, and archaeological remains from Paleolithic and Neolithic times have been excavated. Sites include the Cueva Ambrosio and the Neolithic hilltop fort at Cerro de las Canteras, near the Corneras river. The Cueva de los Letreros (“Cave of the Signboards”), near Vélez Rubio, is famous for its cave paintings. La Cueva del Gabar is located near Vélez Blanco.[3]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Sierra Maria-Los Velez Natural Park, Flora and Fauna of Andalucía, Southern Spain
  2. ^ Sierra Maria-Los Velez Natural Park, Flora and Fauna of Andalucía, Southern Spain
  3. ^ Sierra Maria-Los Velez Natural Park, Flora and Fauna of Andalucía, Southern Spain

[edit] External links

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