(UNESCO).-This remote area of sparsely populated mountains and forests is located on the northern slopes of the Cordillera Cantabrica, in the Asturias. The area is renowned for its steep terrain with altitudes ranging from 213 to 2142 metres above sea level. Deep green valleys climb to vertiginous peaks, passing through extensive beech forests. The majority of the vegetation consists of mixed deciduous woodlands, composed of species such as sycamore, alder, ash, chestnut, oak and hazel. The region contains many animal species, a large number of which are protected, notably the brown bear, the western capercaillie, the grey wolf and golden eagle.
