Gorbea Natural Park

Gorbea Natural Park
Parque Natural del Gorbea
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Gujuli's waterfall
Map of Spain
Location	Alava and Vizcaya provinces Basque Country, Spain
Coordinates	43°02′06″N 2°49′01″W / 43.035°N 2.817°W / 43.035; -2.817Coordinates: 43°02′06″N 2°49′01″W / 43.035°N 2.817°W / 43.035; -2.817
Area	20,008 hectares (49,440 acres)
Established	1994

Gorbea Natural Park is a protected area that is located between the provinces of Alava and Vizcaya in the Basque Country (Spain), the largest Basque natural park with an area of 20,008 hectares (49,440 acres). It covers Villaro municipalities, Castillo and Elejabeitia, Orozco, and Ceberio Ceánuri in Vizcaya and Cigoitia, Zuya and Urcabustaiz in Álava. Gorbea Natural Park, along with the nearby natural park of Urkiola, form an important environmental unit. Natural Park was declared by the Basque Government Decree on 21 June 1994 with the purpose of protecting their natural heritage while promoting rural development, understanding and enjoyment. It takes its name from its highest peak, the Gorbea (Gorbeia or Gorbeiagane in Euskera) of 1,482 metres (4,862 ft). Other peaks of interest are Aldamin Peña of 1,373 metres (4,505 ft) and the Peñas de Itxina.

Access to Gorbea Park is based on the national highway N-240 linking Bilbao to Vitoria, which surrounds the park to the east. To the west it is surrounded by the AP-68, which also links Bilbao and Vitoria and local roads, such as BI-2522 and A-624. The BI-3513 county of Orozco Artea] allows access to the north and the N -622 in the south. The bus service linking Bilbao and Vitoria, or Barazar Altube, is another means of access to the park.

There are two interpretive centers: one in the Alava, near the town of Sarria and another in the town of Villaro or Areatza in Vizcaya. There information can be found about the Natural Park as well as an exhibition that describes the characteristics of the park.

Gorbea Natural Park is formed around Mount Gorbea, and the peaks surrounding it. The summit of 1,482 m (4,862 ft) above sea level is a fundamental reference of the inhabitants of Alava and Vizcaya. For the Basques the Gorbea has been one of the mountains bocineros of which are calling for General Meetings. The summit of the mountain is surmounted by a cross of 18 m (59 ft) in height (the first that was installed was 33.33 m (109.4 ft) and the second 22 m (72 ft)) installed in the early twentieth century and has become a symbol for all Basques coming to form part of popular culture.

The altitude of Gorbea Natural Park gives it a typical mountain climate, and acts as a major barrier to stop the wet winds from the Gulf of Biscay, with substantive differences between the northern, more humid, and the south, dry and sunny. Rainfall is abundant, present in all months of the year, although the fall and winter months are the rainy seasons. In general, are higher than 1,300 mm (51 in) / year in the northern slope, which may exceed 2,000 mm (79 in) in the summit. On the south side down to about rainfall about 1,000 mm (39 in) / year. The average annual temperature between 12 °C (54 °F) in the valleys Basques to 8 °C (46 °F) in higher areas. Precipitation in these latter areas is in the form of snow during the winter months, which remains until early spring. The difference in precipitation and temperatures between the area of Vizcaya and Alava are evident in various aspects such as flora or geology. Due to the effect more of the abundant rains are in the northern part of the massif and the southern part is characterized by a climate of Continental influence.