Spanish Landforms: Mountains, Plateaus, and Coasts
The Central Plateau: Highlands and Plains
The plateau occupies a large tract of land and is characterized by highlands and plains.
Central System
This system divides the northern and southern sub-plateaus. It comprises ranges such as Somosierra, Guadarrama, Gredos, and Sierra de Ayllón. Its highest peak is Almanzor, rising over 2,500 meters.
Montes de Toledo
Dividing the southern sub-plateau, situated between the Tagus and Guadiana basins, this range is characterized by gentle peaks. Its most prominent mountains include the Guadalupe Mountains and the main Montes de Toledo range. Its highest point is La Villuerca, exceeding 1,500 meters.
Surrounding Mountain Ranges
The Central Plateau is surrounded by mountain ridges on all sides.
Galician-Leonese Massif
Occupying the northwestern peninsula, this massif features a very fractured relief, forming a block of uplifted and fractured terrain. The mountains are rounded and of low altitude. In the Leonese Mountains, higher altitudes are found, such as Teleno, over 2,000 meters.
Cantabrian Mountains
Running parallel to the Cantabrian Sea, these mountains isolate the plateau from maritime influence. Their highest altitudes are found in the Picos de Europa, with Torre Cerredo reaching 2,648 meters.
Iberian System
Comprising a set of ranges including Sierra de la Demanda, Picos de Urbión, Sierra de Albarracín, and Serranía de Cuenca. Its highest peak is Moncayo.
Sierra Morena
Forming an abrupt step, its ranges include Sierra Madrona, Sierra de Alcudia, and Sierra de Aracena. Its highest peak is Bañuela (1,332 meters).
External Depressions
Ebro Depression
A sedimentary plain traversed by the Ebro River, characterized by its continental and arid nature, and surrounded by mountain ranges that isolate it from maritime influence.
Guadalquivir Depression
A vast, triangular-shaped plain, open to the influence of the Atlantic and traversed by the Guadalquivir River. It features fertile valleys and rolling countryside.
External Mountain Systems
Basque Mountains
Linking the Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees, these are characterized by steep but not very high ranges and numerous valleys.
Pyrenees
Connecting the Iberian Peninsula with the rest of Europe, they consist of a higher central area (Axial or Central Pyrenees) and two parallel alignments to the north and south of the central part (Pre-Pyrenees), which are of lower altitude. Its highest peak is Aneto (3,404 meters).
Catalan Coastal Ranges
Two parallel mountain ranges along the Mediterranean coast, closing the Ebro basin towards the Mediterranean. Notable is the Sierra de Montseny, with its highest peak, Turó de l’Home (1,712 meters).
Betic Systems
Located along the southeastern peninsula, they consist of two mountain ranges: the Penibetic Range, parallel to the Mediterranean coast, featuring the peninsula’s highest point, Mulhacén (3,479 meters); and the interior Subbetic Range, of lower altitude, with peaks like La Sagra (2,383 meters). Both ranges are surrounded by a longitudinal corridor called the Intrabetic Depression.
Insular Relief: Spain’s Islands
Balearic Islands
This Mediterranean archipelago includes Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and Cabrera. Its highest point is Puig Major (1,445 meters) in the Sierra de Tramuntana.
Canary Islands
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, this archipelago comprises seven main islands: Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro. On Tenerife stands Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak (3,718 meters).
Spain’s Diverse Coastlines
The mainland coast exhibits a wide variety. The Atlantic and western coasts are rocky, with their most prominent features being the Rías of Galicia. The southwestern Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts have long sandy beaches interspersed with rocky sections. The Balearic Islands feature a mix of beaches, coves, and rocky sections. The Canary Islands are predominantly characterized by cliffs.