Iberian Chain
| Iberian System | |
|---|---|
| Sistema Ibérico | |
View of the Moncayo Massif from Alcalá de Moncayo
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|
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Moncayo |
| Elevation | 2,313 m (7,589 ft) |
| Coordinates | 41°44′45″N 01°46′53″W / 41.74583°N 1.78139°WCoordinates: 41°44′45″N 01°46′53″W / 41.74583°N 1.78139°W |
| Geography | |
Location of the Sistema Ibérico in the Iberian Peninsula
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|
| Country | Spain |
| States/Provinces | |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Alpine |
| Age of rock | Tertiary |
| Type of rock | Nummulite limestone, marble and sandstone |
The Iberian System (Spanish: Sistema Ibérico, pronounced [sisˈtema iˈβeɾiko]), is one of the major systems of mountain ranges in Spain. It consists of a vast and complex area of mostly relatively high and rugged mountain chains and massifs located in the central region of the Iberian Peninsula, but reaching almost the Mediterranean coast in the Land of Valencia in the east.
From the hydrographic viewpoint this system is of the highest relevance in the peninsula, for it separates the watersheds of most of the major rivers in Spain and Portugal, including the Ebro basin from the basins of the Douro, Tagus, Guadiana (Záncara-Gigüela), Júcar and Turia.
There are important mining areas in some of the ranges such as Sierra Menera, Sierra de Arcos and Sierra de San Just, making the system one of the chief mining regions in Spain since ancient times. One of the comarcas of Aragon located in the Iberian System was given the name of Cuencas Mineras since mining is the main activity in the comarca.
The Sistema Ibérico mountain range borders the Meseta Central on its western end and separates the Meseta Central from the Ebro valley and from the Mediterranean coast.
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Wikipedia