Montgrí Massif facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Montgrí |
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Landscape in the Montgrí Massif, with the Valley of Santa Caterina and the rocky Puig Rodó.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 310.8 m (1,020 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Montgrí
Location in Catalonia
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| Parent range | Catalan Coastal Range |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Calcareous |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Unknown |
| Easiest route | From Torroella de Montgrí |
The Montgrí is a small mountain range in Catalonia, a region in Spain. It sits on the north side of the Ter River. This mountain range is part of the Catalan Coastal Range. Its highest point reaches about 311 meters (1,020 feet) above sea level.
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Exploring the Montgrí Mountains
The Montgrí mountain range stretches from east to west. It is located just north of the town of Torroella de Montgrí. The mountains help protect the town from the strong northern wind called the Tramontana. Local people often simply call this area "el Montgrí."
A Sleeping Giant: The Montgrí's Unique Shape
From a distance, this long mountain range looks like a sleeping bishop. A bishop is a high-ranking religious leader. The Montgrí Castle sits on top of the massif, right in the middle. Local stories say the castle looks like a ring on the sleeping bishop's hand.
Understanding the Montgrí's Rocky Landscape
The Montgrí is a type of mountain called a karstic mountain. This means it is made of limestone and has been shaped by water over time. It has many exposed rocks because of the strong winds that blow through the region.
You can also find some dunes at the northern base of the mountains. These sand dunes formed from sand blown by the wind all the way from the distant shores of Roses. About a hundred years ago, these dunes were stabilized. Now, they are covered by low forests.
The Medes Islands, located further east near the town of l'Estartit, are actually a geological extension of the Montgrí mountains. This means they were formed from the same rock layers.
Nature and Wildlife of Montgrí
The plants growing on the Montgrí mountains are mostly low Mediterranean scrub. These are tough, bushy plants that can survive in rocky, dry areas.
Unique Plants and Trees
You can find clumps of Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) here. This small palm is special because the Montgrí is one of the northernmost places where it grows naturally.
Closer to the base of the mountain, there are some Mediterranean forests. These forests are mainly made up of pine trees (Pinus halepensis). You can also find some cork oak (Quercus suber) and other types of oak trees (Quercus sp.).
Animals Living in the Montgrí
The eagle owls (Bubo bubo) make their nests in some of the caves found on the sides of these long hills. There is also a special kind of land snail that lives only in this mountain range. This snail is found nowhere else in the world.
History of Farming and Fires
In the past, there were many vineyards on the slopes of the Montgrí. Vineyards are places where grapes are grown to make wine. However, these vineyards were abandoned in the 1800s. This happened after severe phylloxera plagues, which are diseases that destroy grapevines. You can still see parts of these old vineyards today.
The Montgrí Massif often experiences wildfires, especially when the weather is very dry for a long time. The last major fire happened in 2004.
