The Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park is located around Almeria. If you have planned a tour of Andalusia, then this park is definitely recommended. By the way, Andalusia is called Andalucia by the Spanish. The temperatures here are so high and there is so little precipitation that a semi-desert climate has emerged, unique to Europe. The environment here is so special that it was used as a backdrop for, for example, the films Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Cleopatra (1963). The layout of the park is being examined.
Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park
This natural park has had a protected status since 1987. The park is located in southern Spain, in the province of Andalusia near Almeria. The area covers almost fifty thousand hectares. More than sixty kilometers of coastal area is part of the park. The plants and animals that inhabit this environment are unique or threatened with extinction. Another special feature is that more than ten thousand turtles live there. The park contains remains of extinct volcanoes. Nearly two hundred thousand people visit this park every year. The name Cabo de Gata comes from ‘Cabo de Agata’. This indicates the type of stone agate. You will mainly find these on beaches surrounding the nature reserve.
Ecological features
This park is home to the most arid environment in Europe. The low rainfall (less than two hundred millimeters per year) combined with an average annual temperature of almost 20°C makes this area very dry. The associated desert-like plants make this area look like a desert. The area has been used regularly in the past as a desert backdrop for films.
The people in this environment.
Salt has been extracted here since ancient times. Nowadays, people’s activities must be done in accordance with the environment. Harmony between people and nature is the goal here. Major attractions include the Sirens Reef and the Cabo de Gata Lighthouse. The park is divided into different zones: from A to D.
Zone A
The areas in zone A are so vulnerable that they require extra protection. These ecosystems cover almost twenty percent of the total park. Human activity is kept to a minimum. Exceptions are research, conservation and environmental education. Only the salt extraction of Cabo de Gata is not included. This is also important for the ecology of the area.
Zone B
This area represents landscapes compatible with human activity. This zone falls into four types
of categories. More than seventy percent of the park’s surface falls under this category. This means that the following activities are permitted: sustainable tourism and the extraction of renewable resources.
- Zone B1 covers almost twenty thousand hectares of this area. Activities may take place here where the landscape is enriched, the water sources are not affected and erosion and impoverishment of the flora and fauna are prevented.
- Zone B2 covers approximately seven thousand hectares. Small-scale traditional agriculture may be practiced here. Mainly grains are grown here. You will also find picturesque orchards here. Salt extraction also takes place here.
- In zone B3 you can recreate by the sea. This includes approximately one hundred and fifty hectares of beaches. Although a number of cities are not really close, this is used quite often.
- Zone B4 includes city beaches. These make up approximately thirty hectares of sector B, but are used frequently. These beaches are the most visited in the entire park.
Zone C
This area covers an area of more than seven percent of the total park. Normal agriculture and intensive agriculture (under plastic) may take place in sectors C1 and C2. However, there must be sensible use of the soil and safe disposal of waste. Finally, there is zone C3. This is a residential area or there are tourist facilities. In addition, these are the public areas of the park. There is also a mining area in this sector.
Zone D
There are no restrictions regarding environmental requirements in this zone. These are, for example, urban areas.