Mount Abantos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abantos |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | The south eastern slope of Abantos viewed from the Valmayor Reservoir. |
| Prominence | 227 m (745 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Abantos
Location in Community of Madrid
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| Parent range | Sierra de Guadarrama |
Mount Abantos, also known as Spanish: Monte Abantos, is a cool mountain in Spain. It's part of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range. This range runs from east to west in the center of Spain. Most of Mount Abantos is in a town called San Lorenzo de El Escorial. This town is in the Community of Madrid. A small part of the mountain is also in the province of Ávila.
Contents
What is Mount Abantos Like?
Mount Abantos is one of the most noticeable mountains in the Sierra de Guadarrama. It stands tall at 1,753 meters (about 5,751 feet) high. The northern side of the mountain is in a place called the Cuelgamuros valley.
A small part of the mountain's western side is in the province of Ávila. This province is part of the Castile and León region. The mountain has gentle slopes. Most of its sides are covered with pine trees. Some of these trees have been planted there again after fires. On the western side of Abantos, there is a mountain pass called Malagon. This pass is known for being a very tough part of the Vuelta a España. The Vuelta a España is a famous bicycle race, similar to the Tour de France.
Why is it Called Abantos?
Mount Abantos gets its name from the word abanto. This word refers to different types of vultures. You might see birds like the black vulture or the griffon vulture flying around the mountain.
A long time ago, when King Philip II was in charge, the mountain had another name. It was called Buen Monte del Oso. This means "Good Bear Mountain." It got this name because there were many large animals, like bears, living there. At the very top of Mount Abantos, there is a weather station. There is also a yellow panel that helps with electromagnetic signals.
How is Abantos Protected?
Mount Abantos is a special natural area. The Community of Madrid protects it. It is part of a natural reserve called Paraje Pintoresco del Pinar de Abantos y Zona de La Herrería. This means the pine forests and other areas around Abantos are kept safe.
What is the History of Abantos?
In the 1500s, King Philip II of Spain chose a spot on the southern side of Abantos. He decided to build the famous Monastery of El Escorial there. This huge building is a palace, monastery, and royal burial site. Later, in the 1700s, the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial was started. Today, it's a busy town with over 17,000 people.
On the northern side of the mountain, there's another important place. It's called Valle de los Caídos, which means "Valley of the Fallen." This monument was built in the 1900s in the Cuelgamuros Valley. It was created by a leader named Francisco Franco. He wanted it to be a memorial for people who died during the Spanish Civil War.
In 1999, a big forest fire started on the eastern side of Abantos. The fire burned over 450 hectares (about 1,100 acres) of pine forest. But since then, new pine trees have been planted to help the area recover.
Mount Abantos has also been a key part of the Vuelta a España bicycle race many times. The race routes have often passed through Abantos. Sometimes, the mountain has even been the finish line for a stage of the race.
See also
In Spanish: Monte Abantos para niños
- Sierra de Guadarrama
- San Lorenzo de El Escorial
- Valle de los Caídos
