Pyreneje

Pyreneje, commonly known in English as the Pyrenees, is a mountain range in southwestern Europe that forms a natural border between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. It stretches about 430 kilometers from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean, passing through France, Spain, and the microstate of Andorra.

Geography and geology: The range runs roughly west to east and is divided into western, central, and eastern sections. The highest point is Aneto, at 3,404 meters, located in the central Pyrenees. Other notable peaks include Monte Perdido, Posets and its group, and Vignemale. The landscape features deep glacial valleys, limestone and schist outcrops, and numerous rivers that drain toward both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean basins. The Pyrenees were formed during the Alpine orogeny through the collision of the Iberian and Eurasian plates, producing a rugged high country with varied climates.

Climate and ecosystems: The climate ranges from oceanic in the west to more continental and Mediterranean influences in the east, with alpine conditions at higher elevations. The region hosts montane forests of beech and conifers at mid elevations and alpine meadows near the peaks. Biodiversity includes the Pyrenean chamois and various raptors and small mammals; brown bear populations have been reintroduced in recent decades.

Human context and protection: The Pyrenees form a natural border between France and Spain and include Andorra. They host several protected areas, such as France’s Parc national des Pyrénées and Spain’s Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park and Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. The range supports tourism, winter sports, hiking, and traditional agriculture, with historic passes such as Somport, Tourmalet, and Port de Boucharo.