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MAPS & CITIES > TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP + INFO of SPAIN

Spain’s topography is diverse; there are big contrasts between the different regions in the Peninsula. There are lots of different mountain ranges, smaller mountains, valleys and depressions, plains, high plateaus, and coastal plains.

Spain is the second highest country in Europe (Switzerland is the 1st). Spain has a lot of mountains and the central plains are also elevated quite high. There are about distinct topographical characteristics within the Peninsula: a huge central plain, several mountain chains, two important depressions and coastal plains.

The Grand Plain
The central plains in Spain are the biggest topographical area. They extend throughout the center, inclined a little towards the West. This is the main reason why several of the largest Spanish rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean. There is a central mountain range that divides the central plains into North and South Plains.


Mountain Ranges
Most of these mountain ranges in the Spanish Peninsula are bordering the Grand Central Plain, or are right outside of it. There are three groups of mountains that could be distinguished: " The Central Mountain Range, already mentioned, that runs through Avila, Madrid, Segovia and Soria. " Mountain chains around the Spanish central plains: Mountain masses in Galicia (Macizo Galaico), the mountain range in the North -Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country (Cordillera Cantabrica), the mountain range that runs through Burgos, La Rioja, Soria, Saragossa (Sistema Iberico)… and finally the Southern mountain chains of Sierra Morena, mostly located in the provinces of Huelva, Sevilla and Cordoba. " Mountain chains outside the central plains: Montes Vascos (North of Basque Country and Navarre), the Pyrenees (Navarre, Huesca and part of Catalonia), Sistema Costero Catalan (In Catalonia), and in the South, Sistemas Beticos (Eastern part of Andalusia).


Depressions
There are two important depressions in the peninsula: The Ebro River in the Northeast of the Peninsula, and the Guadalquivir River, at the South of the Central Plains. Both depressions create large triangular plains; the rivers run through them until they finally flow into the Ocean.


Islands
Spain has two archipelagos: The Balearic Islands in the East of the Peninsula, in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Canary Islands, in the Southwest, in the Atlantic Ocean, next to the West coast of Morocco.

There are few mountains in the Balearic Islands, it’s mostly plains. However, there is a mountain range called Sierra de Tramuntana in the North part of the Island of Mallorca.

There are many more mountains in the Canary Islands. Tenerife has a really high peak called Teide. It’s 12,198 feet high (3,718 meters) and it’s the highest mountain in Spain, although, it’s a different kind of mountain: a volcano mountain.

Check out the map to see and understand the topographical characteristics of Spain:

Click here to download a printable map with more detailed information.

If you would like to opt for car rental and plan a trip within Spain, click on the link below to access a Spanish trip builder:

http://www.guiacampsa.com/bienvenidoalinfinito/gcampsa/home/home.asp?codIdioma=2

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