With the second highest mean altitude in Europe, 660 meters, Spain can certainly be called a mountainous country, though it does not have many extremely high peaks. The mountain ranges run from west to east, turning southwards in their final sections and linking up one to another at the ends. The exceptions to this mountainous pattern are some of the coasts and the high central tableland, 230,000 square kilometers, including Madrid.

The most well-known mountain ranges are the Pyrenees, separating Spain from the rest of Europe and the craggy, beautiful Cantabrians of the Atlantic Coast, both excellent for hunting, fishing and winter sports.
The highest mountains of the peninsula are the Picos de Europa, the Sierra de Gredos and the Sierra Nevada, with the highest peak in Spain, Mt. Mulhacen (about 3,428 metefs].

The mainland has 3,144 kilometers of coastline. The coast is high and steep in Basque country around San Sebastian and Santander, and in Asturias and much of Cataluna. It is low and sandy in the northwest, especially in Galicia with its beautiful fjords or "Bias". The coast becomes low in southern Cataluna, in the Levant and in Andalucia. The beaches are of fine, white sand on the Atlantic Coast. On the Mediterranean they are of coarse sand or pebbles.

Spain has 109 rivers making up a network of 45,000 square kilometers. There are about 30 lakes of significant size. Principal rivers are the Tagus, which is the longest at 1,008 kilometers, the Ebro in the northeast, which contains the most water at 86,000 square kilometers, the Mino in the northwest, the Duero running through Soria and Zamora, the Guadiana running through Ciudad Real and Badajoz and the Guadalquivir, the main river of Andalucia. There are many fine fishing rivers in the Cantabrians, narrow and swift-running.

The largest natural lakes in Spain are Gallocanta and Wanda. Recently, artificial reservoirs created by dams have added much larger bodies of water to the Spanish physiognomy.

Climate

Spain's climate is as varied as its geography. It can be said that the country has all the climates of Europe and some of those of Africa.

In the northeast the country is quite rainy, but also fairly warm, with comfortable temperatures most of the year. On the central plateau and in the Ebro River Valley the climate is continental, with rigorous winters and furnace-like summers.

Cataluna and the Levant have the excellent Mediterranean climate with warm summers cooled by evening breezes and short, rainy winters. On the southern coast from Alicante to Malaga summers are torrid but some of the best winter resorts in Spain are along this stretch.

Flora

For those fond of strange vegetation and exotic flowers, Spain is a true paradise. The classic botanist Linneus called it "The India of Europe" because of its varied flora. All the types of Europe and North Africa are found here. Even Arctic vegetation exists, with low plants, little mosses and lichens on the peaks of lofty mountains, on high slopes and in deep ravines where the sun rarely reaches.

Spain has much Boreal flora proper to ocean climates. This features permanently green pastures, deciduous shrubs and trees (oaks, poplars, elms, Spanish Chestnuts, beeches, etc.] and beach flora. It is to be found all over the north, and at other isolated points.

Outside the northern region one finds a typical Mediterranean vegetation, with evergreen pines, evergreen oaks, cork trees, pine laural, cedar and so on.

Over large areas of the center, south and east one sees steppe flora, typical to dry, salty lands and made up of plants able to retain moisture such as esparto-grass and thyme.

Fauna

As might be expected, the animal life of Spain is equally various. In the Pyrenees are squirrels, dormice, muskrats, hares, pine martins and ermines. Among more spectacular species are large mountain cats, bears, wild boars, mountain goats and chamois.
Following are various regions of Spain with their particular fauna: Cantabrian Mountains: shrew-mouse, genet, chamois, fallow deer, eagle and vulture, wild boar. Galicia: many bird types, field-mouse, hare, mountain goat. Central Spain: hedgehog, shrew-mouse, badger, martin, wolf, fox, fallow deer, red deer, mountain goat, squirrel, rabbit, mole, partridge, quail, bustard and stork.
Andalucia: dormouse, weasel and flamingo. The Donana Reserve located in Andalucia contains the most varied and important collection of wildlife in Europe.