Nature and Adventure
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Nature and Adventure |
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Millions of years ago the continents of the earth were formed in one giant land mass called Pangea and it was here that the first species of plant and animal life on the planet developed. Over a period of many millennia Pangea began to separate and the various continents began to take their current shape. Animal species also divided as the continents drifted further and further apart and, as these gigantic landmasses moved to either warmer or colder latitudes, the animals either adapted to their new environments or died. When Europe separated from Africa by this process, known as plate tectonics, many species of animals which had been used to the African climate were left stranded on the Iberian Peninsula, trapped between the Mediterranean and the mountains which stretched for hundreds of kilometres behind them. It wasn't until the arrival of man that the balance of nature was further disturbed. Around 35,000 B.C. Cro-Magnon man evolved and lived here in caves and thrived on the excellent hunting and comfortable climate. Over the centuries all the major civilizations in Europe developed habitats in this part of the world and all of them agreed that what made it appealing was its richness of hunting and fertile soils. This pattern continued for centuries and many of the larger species that once inhabited these parts included bears, wild pigs and wolves which were ultimately hunted to extinction or just died out. With the mass development of tourism in the 50s and 60s the areas where larger species could live in peace were dwindling fast. Fortunately around this time organisations both international and local began making people and governments more aware as to the plight facing thousands of species. Today large areas have been put aside to allow animals to live in a natural eco-system while being scientifically observed. Andalucía is particularly well known for its wide and varied selection of birds, especially the birds of prey which thrive in many of the northerly regions. There are also vast numbers of other animals specific to Andalucía. While most of this area is packed with natural resources, some of the best places in the province to observe plants, birds and animals are Sierra Nevada, Coto Doñana, Sierra de Grazalema and Fuente de Piedra.
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