Serra de Tramuntana
Spanish: Sierra de Tramontana
Highest point
PeakPuig Major
Elevation1,445 m (4,741 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Coordinates39°43′51″N 2°41′41″E / 39.73083°N 2.69472°E / 39.73083; 2.69472
Geography
Serra de Tramuntana is located in Majorca
Serra de Tramuntana
Serra de Tramuntana is located in Spain
Serra de Tramuntana
Serra de Tramuntana (Spain)
Official nameCultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana
CriteriaCultural: (ii), (iv), (v)
Designated2011 (35th session)
Reference no.1371
RegionEurope and North America
Area30,745 ha (75,970 acres)
Buffer zone78,617 ha (194,270 acres)
Municipalities of the Serra de Tramuntana, Majorca

The Serra de Tramuntana (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈsɛrə ðə tɾəmunˈtanə], Spanish: Sierra de Tramontana) is a mountain range running southwest–northeast which forms the northern backbone of the Spanish island of Mallorca. It is also the name given to the comarca of the same area. On 27 June 2011, the Tramuntana Range was awarded World Heritage Status by UNESCO as an area of great physical and cultural significance.

Geography

The highest peak is the Puig Major, which at 1,436 meters,[1] is the highest mountain in the Balearic Islands. The second highest peak is Penyal de Migdia which is at 1,398 meters.[2] It is followed by the Puig de Massanella, which stands at 1,364 meters.[1] The mountain range also host the deepest cave of Majorca, the Cova de sa Campana at -358 meters, and the deepest underground lake at -334 meters.[3]

The climate in the Tramuntana Range is significantly wetter than the rest of the island, recording as much as 1507 mm (59.3 inches) of precipitation per year, in comparison with some other parts of the island where annual rainfall is less than 400mm (15 inch). It is also cooler due to the altitude, and a few days of snow are not unusual during winter.

The Serra de Na Burguesa is the southernmost portion of the Tramuntana Range.

Coll de Cal Reis

Coll de Cal Reis is a mountain saddle in the Serra de Tramuntana range on the Ballearic Island of Mallorca. To the west of the saddle a ridge extends up to the highest point of the island, the Puig Major, whilst east of the saddle, there is only a minor side peak, the Moleta de Cals Reis.

The highway Ma-2141 leads over the saddle down to the beach town of Sa Calobra, one of the supposed most picturesque roads of Spain.[4] The road is also a famous target for road cyclists.[5]

Country road Ma-2141 from Els Castellots, Mallorca, Spain

Municipalities in the region

Municipality Population Surface area
(km2)		 Population density
(persons per km2)
Andratx 11,571 81.45 139.3
Banyalbufar 542 18.05 34.7
Bunyola 7,037 84.63 69.8
Calvià 51,567 144.97 350.3
Deià 674 15.12 49.9
Escorca 181 139.33 2.0
Esporles 5,134 35.27 133.1
Estellencs 326 13.39 29.0
Fornalutx 682 19.49 37.6
Pollença 16,969 151.44 116.4
Puigpunyent 2,057 42.28 41.7
Sóller 13,491 42.75 318.7
Valldemossa 2,042 42.84 46.2

Population as of January 1st 2021[6]

Environmental protection

In June 2011, the entire mountain range, which has been preserved as an important nature reserve, outstanding in their geology and forest cover and harboring a diversity of plant and animal species, away from rapid urbanization, was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The UNESCO introductory statement refers to:

The Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana located on a sheer-sided mountain range parallel to the north-western coast of the island of Mallorca. Millennia of agriculture in an environment with scarce resources has transformed the terrain and displays an articulated network of devices for the management of water revolving around farming units of feudal origins. The landscape is marked by agricultural terraces and inter-connected water works - including water mills - as well as dry stone constructions and farms.[7]

Biodiversity

The Serra de Tramuntana hosts an impressive diversity of plant and animal life, including 25 endemic botanical species and 7 species exclusively native to Majorca.

Notable plant species of the Serra range from the hardy Balearic oak to the delicate flowers of the rock violet. Other components of this botanical mosaic include rosemary, broom, everlastings, strawberry tree, garrigue, rowan, yew, maple, boxwood, rockrose, lavender, and thyme.

Terrestrial fauna is equally diverse. Noteworthy vertebrates include the pine marten, weasel, genet, and hedgehog. Amphibians and reptiles, despite being less numerous, are represented by such unique species as the Balearic midwife toad and the Ferreret toad.

The skies of the Serra de Tramuntana are traversed by a variety of birds, from the majestic osprey and the booted eagle to the Eleonora's falcon, the black vulture, the barn owl, and the scops owl. The region also serves as a home to colonies of seabirds, such as the common gull and the cormorant.

Sustainable Tourism

The Serra de Tramuntana attracts numerous visitors annually due to its unique biodiversity and attractive landscapes. In response to this influx, a sustainable tourism approach has been developed to minimize environmental impact and preserve the unique nature of the region.

Estates and rural hotels in the area collaborate in organizing activities that promote this type of tourism, such as hiking, cycling, and birdwatching, in addition to cultural visits with special attention to respect for the natural and cultural environment.[8] Environmental education is a constant in a visit to the Serra, underlining the importance of conservation.

References

  1. 1 2 Nacional, Instituto Geográfico. "Instituto Geográfico Nacional". Geoportal oficial del Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España (in European Spanish). Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  2. ↑ "Puig de Massanella : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost". www.summitpost.org. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  3. ↑ García, Pilar; Minguillón, Rafael (2016). "Nuevos descubrimientos en la Cova de Sa Campana: el Lago Minguillón (Mallorca, España)". Gota a Gota (11): 42–53. ISSN 2340-1346.
  4. ↑ Davies, Bryn (18 September 2017). "CARRETERA DE SA CALOBRA: THE BEST ROAD IN SPAIN?". Adventure Bike Rider. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "Tramuntana Cycling - Mallorca Mountains - Best climbs in Mallorca Col dels Reis". www.tramuntanacycling.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019.
  6. ↑ "Descarga ficheros de la tabla Balears, Illes: Population by municipality and sex. (2860)". INE. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  7. ↑ UNESCO statement
  8. ↑ "Serra De Tramuntana: World Heritage Site | Ca'n Beneït". 20 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
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