El Estrecho Natural Park facts for kids
El Estrecho Natural Park (which means The Strait Natural Park in Spanish) is a special protected area in Spain. It's found on the northern side of the Strait of Gibraltar, a narrow stretch of water that connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
This park was officially made a natural park in 2003. It covers a large area of 189.1 square kilometres (about 73 square miles). El Estrecho Natural Park is the southernmost park in mainland Europe. Its unique location makes it a very important stop for many birds that migrate between Europe and Africa.
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What is El Estrecho Natural Park?
El Estrecho Natural Park is located at the very southern tip of Spain. It protects a beautiful coastal area stretching from the Bay of Getares (near Algeciras) all the way to Cape Grace (near Tarifa). This park was created in 2003 and covers 18,910 hectares (about 46,700 acres).
It's the most southerly protected area in Europe. The park brings together important natural, scenic, historical, and cultural features. Since 2006, it has also been part of the Transcontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean.
Where Two Oceans Meet
The park's eastern coast is on the Mediterranean Sea, while its western coast faces the Atlantic Ocean. The Strait of Gibraltar links these two huge bodies of water. It also separates Europe from Africa. This narrow strait is a vital stopping point for many birds and sea animals that travel long distances.
The distance between the two continents here is only about 14 kilometres (9 miles). For thousands of years, this narrow passage has also been a route for humans.
The meeting of two oceans creates a unique marine environment. This area is home to an amazing variety of plants and animals. The weather in the park is usually mild, with warm temperatures and very little rain.
Geology of the Park
The park is located in the foothills of the Betic Cordillera, a mountain range. The rocks here are mostly from a geological unit called Algeciras. This unit extends into northern Morocco.
The main rock types are Margo Flychs Arenic-mica, formed between 34 and 5 million years ago. Newer land, formed in the last 2.6 million years, is found in the west of the park. This newer land is mainly made of alluvial deposits, which are sediments left by flowing water.
The main mountains in the park are The Hub and The Kid. Along the coast, you can also find special underwater rock formations called karst.
Waterways in the Park
In the eastern part of the park, the mountains are very steep. Because of this, there aren't any large rivers. However, there are several small rivers and streams. The Guadalmesi River and the Marchenilla River are two of these, and they form valleys.
In the western part of the park, the land is flatter. Here, you'll find the Jara River and the de la Vega River. These rivers create wetlands where they meet the sea.
Plants and Animals
El Estrecho Natural Park is home to many different types of natural areas, called ecosystems. Each ecosystem has its own special plants. The most common type of plant life is Mediterranean scrub. This includes plants like palms, heather, mastic, and other plants that can live in dry conditions.
There are also cork oak forests in some areas. In places with more water, like along rivers, you can find Andalusian gall oaks, rhododendrons, and many kinds of ferns.
Amazing Wildlife
The park is famous for the huge numbers of birds that migrate between Africa and Europe. Tens of thousands of birds pass through here!
While there aren't many large mammals, you can find smaller ones like mongooses and genets. This is because the land is rough and has a lot of low-growing plants.
Underwater, there are meadows of special seagrasses in some parts of the park. The marine life in the Strait is truly amazing. Many different types of whales and dolphins live or pass through these waters. This includes orcas, sperm whales, and even blue whales!
History of the Strait
Humans have lived in and traveled through this area for a very long time. The oldest signs of human life are the remains of Neanderthals found in the Rock of Gibraltar. These might be from some of the last Neanderthal groups in the world. There are also signs of the first modern humans from the Stone Age.
The park has about 34 known caves and shelters with ancient rock art. There are also burial sites and stone monuments (dolmens) from different periods, from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. For example, the Cueva del Moro cave has ancient art, and the Tombs of the Algarbes have large stone burials.
Later, many different civilizations lived in this area. Within the park, you can find ancient sites from the Carthaginians and Romans, like Cala Arenas and Baelo Claudia. There are also medieval sites, such as the Hill Campus of the Gallows and the Castle of Tarifa.
Under the waters of the park, there are many shipwrecks. Most of these are from more recent times.
Images for kids
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In Spanish: Parque natural del Estrecho para niños
