The Nature Reserves of Spain

Spain post will issue a set of postage stamps “The Nature Reserves of Spain”, which aims at wide spreading the different protected nature reserves in Spain with a high ecological and scenic value.

The Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park is located in the north-eastern part of the province of Jaén (Andalusia). It is the largest protected area in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. It was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1983 and also a Special Protection Area for migratory birds in 1988. Its large area embraces 23 municipalities spread over the mountain areas of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas with an abrupt and winding relief resulting in landscapes of great beauty. The park has a wide diversity and biological richness with Holm oaks, Tetraclinis and pine trees. Junipers, yew trees, strawberry trees and maples grow together with rosemary and other species. The variety of fauna is also vast and the park shelters a large number of deer, Spanish Ibex, wild boars as well as important populations of Fallow Deer. Among the numerous species of birds are the Griffon Vulture and the Golden Eagle as well as the Bearded Vulture and Egyptian Vulture.

The Garajonay National Park occupies 3.986 hectares and is located in the centre of the island of La Gomera. As the rest of the Canary Islands, La Gomera has volcanic origins and thus the characteristic rocks that are found along the island. These are former volcanoes whose shape has been sharpened by erosion. The park provides the best example of laurisilva, a humid subtropical forest with many species of evergreen leaves that need a high level of humidity. More than 50 species of endemic flora can be found in the island the most common being the laurisilva, beech and heather. With regards to the Fauna, there are over 150 autochthonous species such as the Laurel Pigeon, the owl, hoopoe, sparrowhawk and kestrel. It has been declared National Park in 1981, World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 and Special Protection Area for Birds and Site of Community Importance.

The Nature Reserve of Doñana is located in Andalusia, in the provinces of Huelva, Seville and Cádiz. It is made up of the National Park of Doñana and the Natural Park of Doñana set within the boundaries of the former. It is named after Ana de Silva, daughter of the duque of Medinasidonia. Due to its geographic location between Europe and Africa, the Atlantic and Mediterranean, it shelters many migratory birds. The park is an area of marsh, shallow streams, and sand dunes along the coast. Amongst the protected species are the Golden Eagle and Iberian Lynx. It shelters more than 200 bird species, mammals, fish, amphibians and reptiles. It was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.

Title: The Nature Reserves of Spain
Date of Issue: 20 May 2010
Country: Spain
Denominations: 0,45 € x 3