The Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is a natural park

Natural park (Spain)

In Spain, a natural park is a natural space protected for its biology, geology, or landscape, with ecological, aesthetic, educational, or scientific value whose preservation merits preferential attention on the part of public administration. The regulation of the activities that may occur there...

 in the northeastern part of the province of Cádiz in southern Spain. The park encompasses, within its 51695 hectares (127,741 acre), a complex of mountain ranges, known collectively as the Sierra de Grazalema, which, in turn, are part of the Cordillera Subbética

Cordillera Subbética

The Subbaetic Mountains or Subbaetic System is one of the two main systems of mountain ranges that is part of the Baetic System in the southern Iberian Peninsula...

. Other ranges within the park, comprising the Sierra de Grazalema, include the Sierra de Zafalgar, the Sierra del Pinar, and the Sierra de Endrinal. Pinar (or Torreón), 1654 meters in elevation, is the tallest peak.

The Sierra de Grazalema, a karstic region, contains a number of large limestone caverns, including the Cueva del Gato, the Cueva de la Pileta and the Garganta Verde.
The Sierra de Grazalema is also home to many colonies of vulture

Vulture

Vulture is the name given to two groups of convergently evolved scavenging birds, the New World Vultures including the well-known Californian and Andean Condors, and the Old World Vultures including the birds which are seen scavenging on carcasses of dead animals on African plains...

s, including a few pairs of Egyptian vultures

Egyptian Vulture

The Egyptian Vulture is a small Old World vulture, found widely distributed from southwestern Europe and northern Africa to southern Asia. It is the only living member of the genus Neophron. It has sometimes also been known as the White Scavenger Vulture or Pharaoh's Chicken...

, a species which is seriously threatened. The natural park was declared a biosphere reserve

Biosphere reserve

The Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO was established in 1971 to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management, research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.-Development:...

 in 1977.

Towns and cities within the park

All or part of nine municipalities of the province of Cádiz lie within the Natural Park of Grazalema: Algodonales

Algodonales

Algodonales is a city located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2002 census, the city has a population of 5,607 inhabitants. The nearest cities are Zahara de la Sierra and Olvera...

, Benaocaz

Benaocaz

Benaocaz is a city located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2006 census, the city has a population of 729 inhabitants.-Demographics:- External links :* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...

, El Bosque, El Gastor

El Gastor

- External links :* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía*...

, Grazalema

Grazalema

Grazalema is a village located in the northeastern part of the province of Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Situated in the foothills of the Sierra del Pinar mountain range , Grazalema had, as of 2009, a population of 2,205.-History:The Roman villa of Lacidulia, situated in...

, Prado del Rey

Prado del Rey

Prado del Rey is a city located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 5,968 inhabitants.- History :...

, Ubrique

Ubrique

- External links :* -...

, Villaluenga del Rosario

Villaluenga del Rosario

Villaluenga del Rosario is a village located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 481 inhabitants.It's located down Navazo Alto mountain, inside Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.-Demographics:...

, and Zahara de la Sierra

Zahara de la Sierra

Zahara de la Sierra is a small town in the province of Cádiz in the hills of Andalusia, southern Spain. It is perched on a mountain, overlooking a valley and a man-made lake formed by the dam that must be driven over to access the town...

. Likewise, there are five towns in Málaga province that have land within park boundaries: Benaoján

Benaoján

Benaoján is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 17 kilometres from Ronda and 136 from the capital of the province.-Sister cities:...

, Cortes de la Frontera

Cortes de la Frontera

Cortes de la Frontera is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 40 kilometres from Ronda, 20 from Benaoján and 159 from the provincial capital. It has a population of...

, Jimera de Líbar

Jimera de Líbar

Jimera de Líbar is a village and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 26 kilometres from Ronda and sits at an altitude of 540 metres. It has a population of approximately 450 residents...

, Montejaque

Montejaque

Montejaque is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 140 kilometres from the city of Málaga, 21 from Ronda and only 2 from Benaoján. It has a population of approximately 1,000...

, and Ronda

Ronda

Ronda is a city in Spanish province of Málaga. It is located about West from the city of Málaga, within the autonomous community of Andalusia. Its population is approximately 35,000 inhabitants.-History:...

.

External links

• http://www.360cities.net/image/torreon
• Grazalema Natural Park - fauna and flora
• Visita virtual en 3D de la Cueva de Gato y Presa de Hundidero, 20/03/2011
• Natural Park of Grazalema (in Spanish)