Hoya of Antequera facts for kids

The Hoya of Antequera (say "OY-ah of An-teh-KEH-rah") is a big, flat area of land, like a giant bowl, located in the northern part of Málaga province in Andalusia, Spain. It's also called the Antequera Depression. It gets its name from the city of Antequera, which is right in the middle of this area.

The Fuente de Piedra Lagoon.

Where is the Hoya of Antequera?

The Hoya of Antequera is found within the Baetic Cordillera, which is a large mountain range in southern Spain. To its north are the Subbéticas mountains, and to its south are the Penibética mountains. It's part of a series of valleys known as the Surco Intrabético.

Connections to Other Areas

To the east, a narrow mountain pass connects the Hoya of Antequera to the Depression of Granada, another flat area. To the west, the Serranía de Ronda mountains separate it from the Depression of Ronda.

What is a "Hoya"?

The word hoya literally means "trough" or "basin." This name fits well because the area is like a big, enclosed dip in the land. Most of this flat area makes up the Comarca de Antequera, which is a region in Málaga province.

Rivers and Lagoons

The upper part of the Guadalhorce River flows through the Hoya of Antequera. This river eventually empties into the Mediterranean Sea near the city of Málaga.

Water and Wildlife

The plain has gently rolling fields and some scattered hills. There's plenty of water here. Because the land isn't perfectly flat, rainwater doesn't always form streams. Instead, it collects in the lowest parts, creating several lagoons. Some of these include:

• The Campillos Lagoons
• The Archidona Lagoons
• The Ratosa Laguna
• The Fuente de Piedra Lagoon

The Fuente de Piedra Lagoon is the largest of these. Every year, thousands of flamingoes are born there, making it a very special place for wildlife.

Important Location

Because of its central spot in Andalusia, the Hoya of Antequera is a major hub for land travel in the region. Many important roads and routes pass through it.

See also

• In Spanish: Depresión de Antequera para niños