View source for Baetic System

{{Short description|System of mountain ranges in Spain}}
{{Infobox mountain 
| name=Baetic System
| photo=Alcazaba y Mulhacén (3247171069).jpg
| photo_caption= [[Mulhacén]] seen from the Vereda de la Estrella in [[Sierra Nevada National Park (Spain)|Sierra Nevada National Park]]
| country=Spain <small>and little bit in [[Gibraltar]] ([[United Kingdom|UK]])</small> 
| region=mostly [[Andalusia]],<br/>small parts in [[Murcia]],<br/>[[Castile-La Mancha]],<br/>[[Valencian Community]]<br/>and [[Gibraltar]] (only [[Rock of Gibraltar|Rock]])
| parent=Gibraltar Arc
| highest=[[Mulhacén]]
| elevation_m=3478.6
| elevation_ref=
| range_coordinates = {{coord|37|N|5|W|type:mountain_region:ES_scale:300000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| range_coordinates_ref = 
| listing = 
| geology=
| period= 
| orogeny=[[Alpine Orogeny]]
| area_mi2= | length_mi= | width_mi=
| length_orientation= | width_orientation=
| map_image= Baetic Systems.png
| map_caption=Schematic representation of the Baetic System of mountain ranges
|fetchwikidata=ALL
}}
[[File:Sierra Crestellina2.jpg|thumb|[[Sierra Crestellina]], near [[Casares, Málaga|Casares]]]]
[[File:Sistemas Beticos.png|thumb|Map of the Baetic System in Andalusia]]
[[File:Tajos del Sabar.jpg|thumb|[[Tajos del Sabar]], near [[Alfarnate]]]]
The '''Baetic System''' or '''Betic System''' ({{langx|es|Sistema Bético}}) is one of the main systems of [[mountain range]]s in [[Spain]]. Located in the southern and eastern [[Iberian Peninsula]], it is also known as the '''Cordilleras Béticas''' (Baetic Mountain Ranges) or '''Baetic Mountains'''. The name of the mountain system derives from the [[ancient Roman]] region of [[Baetica]], one of the Imperial [[Roman provinces]] of ancient [[Hispania]].

==Geography==
The Baetic System is made up of multiple mountain ranges that reach from western [[Andalusia]] to the [[Region of Murcia]], southern [[Castile-La Mancha]] and southern [[Valencia (autonomous community)|Land of Valencia]]. To the north, the Baetic Ranges are separated from the [[Meseta Central]] and the [[Sierra Morena]] by the basin of the [[Guadalquivir]]. The [[Sistema Ibérico|Iberian System]] rises north of the eastern part of the [[Prebaetic System]], the northernmost part of the Baetic System. The mountain ranges that are part of this system are generally aligned \along a southwest-northeast direction.<ref>[http://www.granadanatural.com/blog.php?mes=9&anio=2009 Granada Natural - Las Zonas Externas]</ref>
 
The best-known range of the Baetic System is the [[Sierra Nevada (Spain)|Sierra Nevada]], which contains the [[Mulhacén]], the highest mountain in continental Spain and in the [[Iberian Peninsula]]. 
The [[Rock of Gibraltar]] is also considered part of the Baetic System,<ref>[http://gonhs.org/documents/UpperRockGuide.pdf A Guide to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724110959/http://gonhs.org/documents/UpperRockGuide.pdf |date=2008-07-24 }}</ref> but not the [[Cabo de Gata]] area further east which includes rocks of [[volcanic]] origin.<ref>[http://www.europeangeoparks.org/isite/page/124,1,0.asp? European geoparks website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530220441/http://www.europeangeoparks.org/isite/page/124%2C1%2C0.asp |date=2009-05-30 }}</ref>

==Geology==
The Baetic System as a geological feature belongs to a larger [[orogeny]] usually called the [[Gibraltar Arc]], which represents the westernmost edge of the [[Alpine Orogeny]]. The [[geodynamic]] mechanisms responsible for its formation are so far relatively unknown.<ref>Wes Gibbons & Teresa Moreno, ''The geology of Spain''. Geological Society of London, 2003, {{ISBN|978-1-86239-110-9}}</ref>

Geologically the [[Rif]] mountains in [[Morocco]] and the [[Serra de Tramuntana]] in the island of [[Majorca]] are, respectively, Southwestern and Northeastern extensions of the Baetic System.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/2955208/Dissertation_Univ._of_Texas_at_Austin_Commercial_Navigation_in_the_Greek_and_Roman_World Dan Davis, ''Commercial Navigation in the Greek and Roman World'']</ref>
The Gibraltar Arc geological region follows the Moroccan coast from [[Oujda]] in the east to [[Tangier]] in the west, then crosses the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] and goes east again from [[Cádiz]] to [[Valencia (city in Spain)|Valencia]] and the [[Balearic Islands]].

==Ecology==
The Baetic System is home to a number of [[Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub]] plant communities, including shrublands, [[oak]] woodlands, [[broadleaf forest]]s, and [[conifer]]ous forests, which vary with elevation, soils, and topography.

The Baetic System, together with the [[Rif Mountains]] of Morocco, which face the Baetic Ranges across the [[Alboran Sea]], is one of the [[Mediterranean basin]]'s ten [[biodiversity hotspot]]s, known to ecologists as the Baetic-Rifan complex. The Baetic mountains are home to a rich assemblage of Mediterranean plants, including a number of [[relict (biology)|relict]] species from the ancient [[laurel forest]]s, which covered much of the Mediterranean basin millions of years ago when it was more humid.

==Subdivision==
The Baetic System is divided into the following sub-chains (from south to north):

===Penibaetic System===

The [[Penibaetic System]] includes the highest point in the peninsula, the 3,478 m high [[Mulhacén]] in the [[Sierra Nevada (Spain)|Sierra Nevada]]; other ranges and features are:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Serranía de Ronda]]
*[[Rock of Gibraltar]]
*[[Sierra de las Nieves]], includes the [[Sierra de las Nieves National Park]]
*[[Sierra Blanca (Andalusia)|Sierra Blanca]]
*[[Cordillera Antequerana]]
*[[Sierra de Tejeda]]
*[[Sierra de Almijara]]
*[[Sierra de Alhama]]
*[[Sierra Nevada (Spain)|Sierra Nevada]]
*[[Sierra de Lújar]]
*[[Sierra de la Contraviesa]]
*[[Sierra de Cogollos]], is included in the [[Sierra de Huétor and la Alfaguara Natural Park]], and includes part of the [[Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park]]
*[[Sierra de Gádor]]
*[[Sierra de Baza]], includes the Sierra de Baza Natural Park
*[[Sierra de los Filabres]]
*[[Sierra de Alhamilla]]
*[[Sierra Espuña]]
*[[Sierra Cabrera]]
*[[Sierra de las Estancias]]
*The [[Surco Intrabético]] comprises a series of valleys and depressions separating the Penibaetic from the Subbaetic System
{{div col end}}

===Subbaetic System===

The [[Subbaetic System]] occupies a central position within the Baetic System. Highest point {{convert|2027|m|abbr=on}} high [[Peña de la Cruz]] in [[Sierra Arana]].
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Sierra del Aljibe]], includes the [[Los Alcornocales Natural Park|Alcornocales Natural Park]]
* [[Sierra de Grazalema]], includes the [[Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park]]
* [[Sierra de Gibalbín]]
*[[Sierras Subbéticas de Córdoba]]
* [[Sierra Elvira]]
* [[Sierra de Loja]]
* [[Sierra de Arana]]
*[[Sierra de Cogollos]]
* [[Sierra de la Alfaguara]]
* [[Sierra de Huétor]]
* [[Sierra Sur de Jaén]] overlapping with the Prebaetic System
{{div col end}}

===Prebaetic System===

The [[Prebaetic System]] is the northernmost feature of the whole Baetic System. Highest point 2,382 m high [[La Sagra (peak)|La Sagra]].
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Sierra Magina|Sierra Mágina]]
*[[Sierra de la Sagra]]
*[[Sierra de Cazorla]]
*[[Sierra de Segura]]
*[[Sierra de Alcaraz]]
*[[Sierra de Castril]]
*[[Sierra de la Sagra]]
*[[Sierra del Taibilla]]
*[[Sierra de María]], overlapping with the Penibaetic System; includes the [[Sierra de María-Los Vélez Natural Park]]
*[[Serra Mariola]]
*[[Montgó Massif]]
*[[Sierra de Bernia]]
*[[Penyal d'Ifac]]
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
*[[Geography of Spain]]
*[[Geology of the Iberian Peninsula]]
*[[Baetic Depression]]
*[[Tabernas Desert]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Cordilleras Béticas}}
*[http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/servtc5/ventana/mostrarFicha.do?idEspacio=7418 Sierra Nevada Natural Park]
*[http://www.ugr.es/~redbome/doc_spanish/galerias/galeria1/ventana_img02.htm Sierra del Aljibe]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081029090718/http://www.educared.net/concurso2001/663/entorno.htm Parque Natural de la Sierra de los Filabres y comarca del Alto Almanzora]
*[http://aguas.igme.es/igme/publica/libro20/pdf/lib20/c_guadal_1.pdf Cuenca del Guadalquivir]

{{Geography topics}}
{{Physical geography topics}}
{{Mountains of Spain}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Baetic System| ]]
[[Category:Physiographic provinces]]
[[Category:Environment of the Mediterranean]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Andalusia]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of the Region of Murcia]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Castilla–La Mancha]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of the Valencian Community]]
[[Category:Cordilleras]]