Sierra Nevada (Spain)

Sierra Nevada
View of the Sierra Nevada
Highest point
Peak	Mulhacén
Elevation	3,478 m (11,411 ft)
Coordinates	37°03′N 03°18′W / 37.050°N 3.300°W / 37.050; -3.300Coordinates: 37°03′N 03°18′W / 37.050°N 3.300°W / 37.050; -3.300
Geography
Sierra Nevada Location in Spain
Location	Provinces of Granada, Almería and Málaga
Country	Spain
State/Province	Andalusia
Parent range	Penibaetic System
Geology
Age of rock	Tertiary
Mountain type	Alpine

The Sierra Nevada (meaning "snowy mountain range" in Spanish) is a mountain range in the region of Andalusia, in the province of Granada and, a little further, Málaga and Almería in Spain. It contains the highest point of continental Spain and Europe outside the Caucasus Mountains and the Alps, Mulhacén at 3,478 metres (11,411 ft) above sea level.

It is a popular tourist destination, as its high peaks make skiing possible in one of Europe's most southerly ski resorts, in an area along the Mediterranean Sea predominantly known for its warm temperatures and abundant sunshine. At its foothills is found the city of Granada and, a little further, Almería and Málaga.

Parts of the range have been included in the Sierra Nevada National Park. The range has also been declared a biosphere reserve. The Sierra Nevada Observatory and the IRAM radiotelescope are located on the northern slopes at an elevation of 2,800 metres (9,200 ft).

The Sierra Nevada was formed during the Alpine Orogeny, a mountain-building event that also formed the European Alps to the east and the Atlas Mountains of northern Africa across the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Sierra as observed today formed during the Paleogene and Neogene Periods (66 to 1.8 million years ago) from the collision of the African and Eurasian continental plates.