Peaks
Soeira
986 m
Park geography
Detailed analysis of mapped boundaries, elevation gradients, and physical landscapes
Structured Geographic Profile and Terrain Mapping for Montesinho Natural Park in Portugal
Review the core geographic parameters of Montesinho Natural Park, a 742.25 km² protected landscape located within the Bragança District. This profile details the mountain relief, habitat distribution including temperate broadleaf forests and riverine systems, and the elevation span reaching 1486 meters at its highest point.
Northeastern Portugal's rugged mountain wilderness protecting one of Europe's most important wolf populations
Montesinho Natural Park
Montesinho Natural Park is a protected landscape in northeastern Portugal spanning 742 square kilometers across the municipalities of Vinhais and Bragança in the Bragança District. Established on August 30, 1979, the park encompasses a dramatic mountainous terrain that forms part of the Serra da Coroa mountain range, also known as the Sierra de la Culoebra, which runs along Portugal's border with Spain. The park rises from a minimum elevation of 438 meters to a maximum of 1,486 meters at the peak of Montesinho, creating a diverse altitudinal range that supports varied ecosystems and landscapes. Home to approximately 9,000 residents distributed across 92 traditional villages, the park represents one of Portugal's most sparsely populated and unspoiled natural areas, where human settlement patterns blend with rugged countryside. The protected area holds IUCN category V status, recognizing its value as a protected landscape where nature conservation coexists with sustainable human use and traditional rural communities.
- Location
- Portugal
- Park type
- Protected landscape
- Established
- 1979
- Area
- 742.3 km²
- Highest point
- 1,486 m
Location overview
Protected land status within the Bragança District of Portugal
Geographic Location and Regional Setting of Montesinho Natural Park
Montesinho Natural Park is situated in Portugal within the northern region of Bragança District. Regional records define the territory as an entirely inland, non-transboundary protected area.
- Countries
- Portugal
- Regions
- Bragança District
- Primary location
- Bragança District
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Boundary and coordinates
Interactive boundary geometry and recorded spatial metrics
Montesinho Natural Park Boundary Map and Geographic Extent
Mapped park boundaries supply spatial context for the protected landscape and its regional limits. Derived area metrics and coordinate spans accompany the visual outline to define territorial scale.
- Boundary area
- 742.4 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 227.4 km
- Northernmost point
- 41.9925° N
- Southernmost point
- 41.7323° N
- Easternmost point
- 6.5155° W
- Westernmost point
- 7.2037° W
- Geographic centre
- 41.8912° N, 6.8434° W
- North–south span
- 28.9 km
- East–west span
- 57.1 km
Elevation and terrain
Mountain relief statistics and recorded physical features
Montesinho Natural Park Terrain and Elevation Range
Recorded elevation metrics outline the vertical range of the protected mountain landscape. Linked feature cards document the names, types, and spatial relationships of natural elements found within the terrain.
- Minimum elevation
- 438 m
- Maximum elevation
- 1,486 m
- Highest point
- 1,486 m
Selected named natural features
Streams
Ribeiro dos Casares
Rivers
Ribeira de Baçal
Streams
Ribeira do Covo
Streams
Rio Mau
Streams
Ribeiro do Vale da Trave
Environmental setting
Temperate broadleaf forest, riverine habitats, and Mediterranean climate zones
Montesinho Natural Park Environmental Setting and Physical Geography Classifications
Recorded landscape features, relief types, and forest classifications function as interpretive categories for the protected terrain. Stored environmental attributes link directly to related regional atlas destinations and protected areas.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Mediterranean
- Water
- Minor water
- Forest cover
- Partial forest
Landscape features
Mountains · Valleys · Forest · Woodland · Grassland · Rivers
Habitat types
Temperate broadleaf forest · Riverine habitat
Park atlas
Trace the geographic spread of protected areas, mountain ranges, and traditional landscapes surrounding Montesinho Natural Park.
Discover Nearby National Parks and Protected Landscapes around Montesinho Natural Park
Browse national parks and protected areas located in the geographic vicinity of Montesinho Natural Park, featuring similar mountainous terrain and significant Iberian wildlife habitats. Compare their distinct landscapes, conservation efforts, and regional context to deepen your understanding of the Iberian Peninsula's protected area network.
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The Área de Allariz biosphere reserve serves as a vital transition zone in northwestern Spain, characterized by its flat-floored tectonic basin, the River Limia, and varied highland terrain. This protected area offers an instructive look at the integration of traditional rural land management with large-scale ecological recovery and conservation across its core, buffer, and transition zones.
- Area
- 214.82 km²
- Established
- 2005
- Relief
- Mixed relief
- Scope
- Terrestrial
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Peneda-Gerês National Park: A Distinct Protected Landscape in Northern Portugal
Granite peaks, glacial valleys, and cultural heritage mapped.
Peneda-Gerês National Park represents a cornerstone of protected landscapes in Portugal, celebrated for its rugged granite mountains and deep glacial valleys sculpted over millennia. This national park showcases a rare ecological transition zone with unique endemic species and features dramatic waterfalls and pristine river systems. The park's rich cultural tapestry, interwoven with its natural environment, offers a compelling subject for atlas-based geographic discovery and landscape exploration.
- Area
- 695.93 km²
- Established
- 1971
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 92.8K annual
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Reserva de la biosfera de los Ancares Leoneses: Protected Mountain Terrain and Atlas
Mapping the Sierra de Ancares river valleys in Provincia de León
Examine the geographic layout and protected boundaries of the Reserva de la biosfera de los Ancares Leoneses. This biosphere reserve serves as a critical mountain corridor, featuring complex river basins and diverse forest cover that highlight the region's environmental and cultural history across the Spanish highlands.
- Area
- 567.86 km²
- Established
- 2006
- Relief
- Mountain
- Scope
- Terrestrial
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Alvão Natural Park Protected Area: Atlas Exploration of Northern Portugal's Mountain Geography
Discover dramatic landscapes and mapped terrain.
Alvão Natural Park is a protected area in northern Portugal distinguished by its stark geological contrasts: upper granite plateaus and steep schist lowlands. This unique geography supports diverse ecosystems and features the impressive Fisgas de Ermelo waterfall. Explore the park's mapped boundaries and its role as a significant protected landscape within the region, offering rich context for any geographic exploration.
- Area
- 72.03 km²
- Established
- 1983
- IUCN
- V
- Visitors
- 29.6K annual
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Mountainous terrain and river valley geography in Lugo, Spain
This protected area covers the dramatic Sierra de Ancares, featuring steep mountain slopes and deep river valleys that define the geography of Galicia. The reserve spans a significant vertical relief, providing essential habitats for brown bears and capercaillie while preserving traditional rural mountain land use systems and ancient forest ecosystems.
- Area
- 536.64 km²
- Established
- 2006
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
Biosphere reserveGalicia
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Extensive riverine forests and wetland networks in northwestern Spain
Explore the expansive territory of Reserva de la biosfera de las Tierras del Miño, spanning a large portion of the Galician interior. This protected area features a mosaic of wetlands, riparian corridors, and mountainous terrain, offering a deep look into the ecological and cultural geography of the upper Miño river basin.
- Area
- 3,636.69 km²
- Established
- 2002
- Relief
- Lowland
- Scope
- Terrestrial
Biosphere reserveGalicia
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Reserva de la biosfera de las Mariñas Coruñesas y Tierras del Mandeo: Regional Geography and Maps
A diverse protected area across Galicia, Spain
This biosphere reserve serves as a vital ecological refuge along the Cantabrian-Atlantic coast. The protected area features a unique mosaic of marine and terrestrial habitats, ranging from rocky coastal cliffs and sandy estuaries to dense Atlantic forest fragments and the mountainous interior of the Sierra de la Cova da Serpe.
- Area
- 1,139.7 km²
- Established
- 2013
- Relief
- Mixed relief
- Climate
- Temperate
Protected landscapeEsposende
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Northern Littoral Natural Park Protected Landscape: Geographic Discovery and Atlas Context
Mapped protected areas and regional landscape discovery near Esposende.
Uncover the geographic identity of Northern Littoral Natural Park, a key protected landscape situated near Esposende. This MoriAtlas entry focuses on its mapped boundaries and regional significance, providing a factual basis for understanding its role within Portugal's network of protected areas. Explore the park's natural terrain and its context within the broader geography of the Norte region for comprehensive atlas-based discovery.
- Area
- 87.62 km²
- Established
- 1987
- IUCN
- V
- Relief
- Lowland
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue exploring Montesinho Natural Park's geographic and protected landscape context
Delve deeper into the atlas-driven discovery of Montesinho Natural Park. Understanding its precise geographic boundaries and protected landscape identity provides crucial context for exploring Portugal's natural areas. This MoriAtlas entry facilitates a structured approach to comprehending the park's place within its regional geography and the wider atlas of protected lands.
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