Sierra Nevada (Spain)
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "other uses". Template:Infobox mountain Sierra Nevada (Script error: No such module "IPA".; meaning "snow-covered mountain range") is a mountain range in the Andalusian province of Granada in Spain. It contains the highest point of continental Spain:[note 1] Mulhacén, at Script error: No such module "convert". above sea level.
It is a popular tourist destination, as its high peaks make skiing possible in one of Europe's most southerly ski resorts, in an area along the Mediterranean Sea predominantly known for its high temperatures and abundant sunshine. At its foothills is found the city of Granada, and a little further south, Almería and Motril.
Parts of the range have been included in the Sierra Nevada National Park. The range has also been declared a biosphere reserve. The Sierra Nevada Observatory, the Calar Alto Observatory, and the IRAM 30m telescope are located on the northern slopes at an elevation of Script error: No such module "convert"..
Formation
Sierra Nevada was formed during the Alpine Orogeny, a mountain-building event that also formed the European Alps to the east and the Atlas Mountains of northern Africa across the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Sierra as observed today formed during the Paleogene and Neogene Periods (66 to 1.8 million years ago) from the collision of the African and Eurasian continental plates.
Geography
Script error: No such module "wide image".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Central to the mountain range is a ridge running broadly west-south-west - east-north-east. For a substantial distance, the watershed stays consistently above Script error: No such module "convert"..[1]
On the southern side of the range, several long, narrow river valleys lead off towards the south-west, separated by a number of subsidiary ridges. On the steeper and craggier northern side, the valleys have less regular orientations. This side is dominated by the Rio Genil which starts near Mulhacén and into which many of the other rivers flow.
Geologically, the range is composed chiefly of soft micaceous schists, sloping steeply to the north, but more gradually to the south and south-east.[1]
Highest peaks
| Highest peaks of Sierra Nevada | ||
| Peak (> 3,000m) | Height (m) | |
| Mulhacén | 3,479 | |
| Veleta | 3,398 | |
| Alcazaba | 3,371 | |
| Cerro los Machos | 3,324 | |
| Puntal de Siete Lagunas | 3,248 | |
| Puntal de la Caldera | 3,226 | |
| Pico de Elorrieta | 3,206 | |
| Crestones Río Seco | 3,198 | |
| Loma Pelada | 3,187 | |
| Cerro Pelado | 3,179 | |
| Tajos de la Virgen | 3,160 | |
| Tosal del Cartujo | 3,152 | |
| Pico de La Atalaya | 3,148 | |
| Puntal de Vacares | 3,143 | |
| Cerro Rasero | 3,139 | |
| Tajos del Nevero | 3,120 | |
| Raspones Río Seco | 3,120 | |
| Tajos Altos | 3,111 | |
| Picón de Jeres | 3,090 | |
| Tajo de los Machos | 3,088 | |
| Cerrillo Redondo | 3,058 | |
| Juego de Bolos | 3,018 | |
| Pico del Caballo | 3,011 | |
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Sierra Nevada has a Mediterranean climate (Csa/Csb), with different variations depending on the altitude. Above Script error: No such module "convert". the climate is subarctic (Dsc), due to the location's high elevation and low summer precipitation. With June and September being around the threshold of Script error: No such module "convert". in mean temperature to avoid the subarctic classification, the climate at a slightly lower elevation is humid continental (Dsa/Dsb). At an elevation slightly lower than that classification area; where February means average above Script error: No such module "convert".; it falls into the normal cool-summer mediterranean classification transitioning with the hot-summer variety in surrounding lowland areas. This renders Sierra Nevada's climate a highland cooled-down variety of a typical mediterranean climate. Summer and winter daytime temperatures are some 12 °C lower than found in Granada, differences that are even greater in spring as Sierra Nevada takes longer to approach the short summers. In May daytime highs in Sierra Nevada are around Script error: No such module "convert". with Granada having an average of Script error: No such module "convert".. The yearly temperature of Script error: No such module "convert". at the ski station of Pradollano is in stark contrast to Granada's Script error: No such module "convert". and coastal Málaga's Script error: No such module "convert"..[2][3] Script error: No such module "weather box".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Sport
In Media
The British Electronic-Duo The KLF filmed a portion of their unreleased 1989 Road Film "The White Room" around and on Sierra Nevada.[4][5]
Gallery
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Sierra Nevada—view from Granada city
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Landscape south of Pitres
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Stone bridge over Rio Poqueira, Sierra Nevada
See also
Notes
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- ↑ The highest peak in Spanish territory is Teide on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, which is outside of continental Spain.
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References
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Bibliography
- Francisco Pérez Raya, Joaquín Molero Mesa, Francisco Valle Tendero, 1992: "Parque Natural de Sierra Nevada. Paisaje, fauna, flora, itinerarios". Ed. Rueda. Madrid. Template:ISBN (Spanish)
- "Flora de la Tundra de Sierra Nevada". Pablo Prieto Fernández, Ed. Universidad de Granada. Template:ISBN (Spanish)
- "Sierra Nevada: Guía de Montaña". Aurelio del Castillo y Antonio del Castillo. Ed. Penibética, 2003. Template:ISBN (Spanish)
Further reading
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External links
Template:Sister-inline Template:NIE Poster
- Google Maps - Satellite Photo
- Template:In lang Sierra Nevada Ski Resort - official site
- Sierra Nevada ski resort - trail map
- Maps of Sierra Nevada
- nevasport.com - XVII sport week - Old Pictures
- Template:In lang Natural Park Sierra Nevada
- Template:In lang Sulayr
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