A perfect example of Karstic relief

El Torcal, Antequerahtt

p:/

/iesp

ebili

ngue.w

ikis

pace

s.co

m

Karst rocks shaped by million years erosion and looking like sculptures.

It dates back to the Jurassic era, 200 million years ago. At that time the area was a sea that covered an area that

stretched from the Gulf of Cadiz to Alicante.

htt

p:/

/iesp

ebili

ngue.w

ikis

pace

s.co

m

GEOLOGY

The slow but continuous action of the rain, the snow and the wind on this material has shaped this peculiar landscape.

The Nature Reserve is small but of great beauty and interest, being one of the most impressive limestone landscapes in the Old Continent.

htt

p:/

/iesp

ebili

ngue.w

ikis

pace

s.co

m

Limestone – piedra caliza

htt

p:/

/iesp

ebili

ngue.w

ikis

pace

s.co

m

The Nature Reserve is home of many species of animals: large birds, golden eagles, tawny vultures, reptiles, foxes… including the

incredible Spanish Ibex that can be easily spotted on the top of the rocks.

Golden eagle – águila real Tawny vulture – buitre leonado

Reptiles - reptiles Spanish Ibex – cabra montesa

VEGETATION

Despite the heavy deforestation in the early 20th Century to produce coal, El Torcal still has a rich vegetation with a broad variety of wild plants: lilies, orchids and wild rose trees.

htt

p:/

/iesp

ebili

ngue.w

ikis

pace

s.co

m

Wild rose trees – Árboles de rosas salvajes

Thistles - cardos Orchids - orquídeas

WALKINGThe reserve has three walking routes which are clearly denoted by coloured markers (green, yellow and red – green the easiest and red the most difficult).

The yellow route is takes you to "Las Ventanillas" The Windows at around 1.200 m. There you are enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the valley of Málaga.  The red route culminates with views from 1.339m which allows you to see the whole of El Torcal Park and the Africa Coastline.

htt

p:/

/iesp

ebili

ngue.w

ikis

pace

s.co

m

htt

p:/

/iesp

ebili

ngue.w

ikis

pace

s.co

m

Important Vocabulary

Karst rocksShapedDate backStretchLandscapeLimestoneGolden eagleTawny vultureSpanish ibexThistleWild rose treeLilyOrchid

Rocas kársticasMoldeado/aDatarExtenderPaisajePiedra calizaÁguila realBuitre leonadoCabra montesaCardoÁrbol de rosas salvajesLirioOrquídea

SourcesINFORMATION• http://blog.avventurosa.com/torcal-antequera-nature-rocks-sculptures/wonderful-hikes/• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRSlEkMmeaU• http://www.walking-holidays-spain.com/parks/Andalucia/El-Torcal.htmPHOTOS• http://www.porlibre.com/ANDALUCIA/torcal.htm• http://sobremalaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/tornillo-del-torcal-de-antequera.jpg• http://www.antequera.me/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ts.jpg• http://casasruralesmalaga.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/foto.jpg• http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ncC9Q7IPLEg/S-vu9xQ7-oI/AAAAAAAAECo/DZXpJO3syu0/s1600/08052010

395.jpg• http://m1.paperblog.com/i/13/134467/ruta-el-paraje-natural-del-torcal-antequera-3-L-9.jpeg• http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7ORpdXs094/TdD82tjP67I/AAAAAAAAADU/o92syO2kUaU/s1600/800px-Es

pagna_Torcal_10.JPG• http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5178602998_aa9fccbc54.jpg• http://www.usefilm.com/image/799152.html• http://www.fotothing.com/photos/0c4/0c4df32457c42f1a8df8f45fa6a1df71.jpg• http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pnrl4ykqjb0/TB0BQ_2uwFI/AAAAAAAAAJk/nlrvI04bdos/s1600/

DSC_0079.JPG• http://www.fotonatura.org/galerias/fotos/usr12668/arbol-torcal4.jpg• http://www.andaluciadiary.com/manana/2011/09/exploring-an-andalusian-jurassic-park-el-torcal-

antequera-andalucia-nature.html• http://www.scotese.com/images/195.jpg

htt

p:/

/iesp

ebili

ngue.w

ikis

pace

s.co

m