Sierra de Montánchez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sierra de Montánchez |
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View of the Sierra de Montánchez behind the town
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Monte Viejo |
| Elevation | 995 m (3,264 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 33 km (21 mi) NE/SW |
| Width | 6.5 km (4.0 mi) NW/SE |
| Geography | |
 Location in Spain
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| Country | Spain |
| Range coordinates | 39°15′N 5°58′W / 39.250°N 5.967°W |
| Parent range | Montes de Toledo |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Alpine |
| Age of rock | Tertiary |
| Type of rock | Granite, slate |
The Sierra de Montánchez is a cool mountain range in Spain. It's part of a bigger group of mountains called the Montes de Toledo. This range gets its name from the nearby town of Montánchez, which sits on its slopes. The area around these mountains is also known as the Tierra de Montánchez.
These mountains act like a natural wall. They separate the rivers that flow north into the Tagus Basin from those that flow south into the Guadiana Basin. Important rivers like the Salor and Tamuja start here. They flow towards the Tagus. The Aljucén River also begins here, flowing towards the Guadiana.
About the Sierra de Montánchez
The Sierra de Montánchez stretches for about 33 kilometers (20 miles). It runs from the northeast to the southwest. This range is located in the south of Cáceres Province, which is in the middle of Extremadura, Spain.
The highest point in the range is Monte Viejo. It's 995 meters (3,264 feet) tall. You might also hear it called Montancil or Monte Tances.
What's on the Mountains?
There's a road that goes all the way to the top of Monte Viejo. At the summit, you'll find a tall antenna. This antenna helps with cell phone signals and other communications.
Another peak, Cancho Blanco, is 955 meters (3,133 feet) high. It has a special radar system that helps predict the weather.
The Castillo de Montánchez is an old castle. It was built a long time ago when the Moors lived in Spain. This castle sits on a hill 741 meters (2,431 feet) above the town of Montánchez.
Besides Montánchez, other important towns in this area include Alcuéscar, Arroyomolinos, and Zarza de Montánchez.
Plants and Rocks
Most of the natural plants you'll see here are shrubs. These are small, bushy plants. There are also some areas with trees. Sometimes, these trees are not native to Spain, like eucalyptus trees, which were planted there.
The mountains are mostly made of old rocks. You'll find slate and clay from a very early time in Earth's history. There's also a lot of granite rock in the mountains. The soil on the northern slopes gets more rain, while the southern slopes are drier.
See also
In Spanish: Sierra de Montánchez para niños
