Montgó
| Montgó Massif | |
|---|---|
 Montgó Massif
Location in Spain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 753 m (2,470 ft) |
| Isolation | 18 kilometres (11 mi) |
| Coordinates | 38°48′30″N 0°7′0″E / 38.80833°N 0.11667°ECoordinates: 38°48′30″N 0°7′0″E / 38.80833°N 0.11667°E |
| Geography | |
| Location | Marina Alta, Valencian Community |
| Parent range | Prebaetic System, Eastern zone |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Limestone |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | First drive, then hike from Xàbia or from Dénia |
Montgó (Valencian pronunciation: [moŋˈɡo]) is a mountain in Alicante Province, Spain, which rises to 753 metres (2,470 ft). It is the last spur on the Cordillera Prebética Mountain Range and is located in the Marina Alta region in the north of Alicante between the towns of Dénia and Xàbia. The mountain rises dramatically from the valley floors surrounding it and dominates the skyline for miles around. Its craggy cliffs are home to some of the most unusual flora and fauna in Spain. The mountain is renowned for its rock formations, cliffs, caves and natural harbours. From the Xàbia side Montgó is often said to resemble the head and trunk of an elephant. The mountain can be easily reached by highway CV-736 which links Denia with Xàbia, both of which are accessible via the AP-7 motorway or the N-332 national highway.
The Montgó Nature Reserve encompasses 2150 hectares (5312 acres) around the mountain. It includes a coastal section that covers over 3 kilometres (1.9 mi). The Reserve contains important archaeological finds such as cave paintings, Phoenician amphoras and the remains of Iberian settlements. Because of its extraordinary wealth of flora, fauna and ecosystems the park was declared an officially protected nature reserve in 1987. The reserve runs almost parallel to the coastline, joining the coastal area via a flat area known as ‘les Planes’ which ends at Cap de San Antoni.
The mountain was formed during the Cretaceous period, some 70 million years ago, when plate tectonic processes forced the African and European continental plates upwards, creating spectacular mountainous landscapes such as that of the Montgó. Over the next few million years, strong erosion and rock slides sculpted it to the shape it has today.
The geological composition of this Nature Reserve is characterized by Cretaceous materials. On the lower parts, marl and marlaceous lime abound, while the escarpments are formed by compact limestone.
The geology and climate of the Montgó has fostered more than 650 species of flora. The primitive Mediterranean oak, which once dominated the mountain before over-exploitation by man, is still present, as is Mount Atlas Pistachio, rosemary, white hellebore, rock lavender, marine juniper and cistus.
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Wikipedia