Protected Landscapes and Regional Park Geography Near Réserve naturelle régionale d'Errota Handia

Réserve naturelle régionale du site des carrières de Tercis-les-Bains Protected Landscape

Geological stratotype and Cretaceous fossil reference site in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

This unique nature reserve in southwestern France protects a globally significant Cretaceous geological sequence within former limestone quarries. It serves as a vital scientific landmark for stratigraphy, housing extensive fossil records and structural evidence of salt-driven geology, all set within the scenic terrain of the Adour river basin.

Area

0.448 km²

Established

2015

IUCN

IV

Relief

Lowland

Reserva de la biosfera de Urdaibai: Protected Coastal and Estuarine Geographic Atlas

Mapping wetlands, forests, and cliffs in the Basque Country

Explore the complex terrain of Reserva de la biosfera de Urdaibai, spanning the tidal Oka estuary to the peaks of Mount Oiz. This protected landscape is defined by its vast saltmarshes, Cantabrian oak forests, and dramatic coastal cliffs that anchor the natural geography of the Basque Country.

Area

224.52 km²

Established

1984

Relief

Mixed relief

Climate

Temperate

Pyrénées National Park: Protected Landscape & Transboundary Protected Area Atlas

Discover Hautes-Pyrénées' dramatic glacial terrain and alpine environments.

Pyrénées National Park is a significant protected area in France's Hautes-Pyrénées department, renowned for its dramatic glacial cirques, high-altitude lakes, and extensive mountain landscapes. Established as a national park, it offers rich geographic context for atlas exploration, showcasing millions of years of geological formation shaped by tectonic uplift and glacial carving. This park is also notable for its transboundary conservation efforts with Spain, contributing to a broader protected region. Explore its unique terrain, from towering limestone formations to alpine meadows, and understand its place within the Pyrenean mountain range.

Area

458 km²

Established

1967

IUCN

II

Relief

Mountain

Vallée du Soussouéou Protected Nature Reserve: Geographic Atlas and Mountain Terrain

A roadless glacial valley in the French Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Vallée du Soussouéou offers a rare glimpse into a roadless Pyrenean landscape. This protected area features a classic glacial U-shaped valley, significant peatland ecosystems, and diverse alpine habitats that support Pyrenean fauna. As a quiet extension of the ecological network in the Western Pyrenees, the valley remains an important site for understanding mountain geography and glacial geomorphology in southwestern France.

Area

45.39 km²

Established

1995

Relief

Mountain

Scope

Terrestrial

Réserve naturelle régionale du massif du Pibeste-Aoulhet: Mountain Reserve Atlas

Regional protected landscape mapping in the French Pyrenees

Spanning over 5,000 hectares in the Occitanie region, the Réserve naturelle régionale du massif du Pibeste-Aoulhet serves as a critical biological corridor. This detailed record examines the massif's varied elevations, from lower broadleaf forests to high-altitude rocky cliffs, highlighting its status as one of the largest regional nature reserves in France.

Area

51.103 km²

Established

2012

IUCN

IV

Relief

Mountain

Valles del Jubera, Leza, Cidacos y Alhama: Protected Landscapes in La Rioja, Spain

A biosphere reserve featuring limestone gorges and dinosaur fossil sites

Valles del Jubera, Leza, Cidacos y Alhama forms a distinct mid-mountain region in northern Spain where four river valleys have carved deep passages into the earth. The area serves as a vital protected landscape containing rich paleontological history, thermal springs, and traditional Mediterranean forests. This atlas entry details the natural boundaries and geographic character of one of Spain's significant biosphere reserves.

Area

1,196.69 km²

Established

2003

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park: Glacial Terrain and Pyrenean Protected Landscape

Explore its dramatic valleys, cliffs, and alpine geography.

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is a critical protected area within the Pyrenean geography, defined by its spectacular glacial valleys, towering limestone massifs, and unique karst formations. As a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a rich environment for exploring mapped terrain and understanding the interplay of geology and high-alpine ecosystems. Delve into the mapped boundaries and distinct landscape features that characterize this significant protected landscape.

Area

156.08 km²

Established

1918

IUCN

II

Relief

Mountain

Réservoirs de Piraillan Nature Reserve: Mapping the Coastal Ecology of the Cap Ferret Peninsula

A protected mosaic of saltwater basins and pine-forested islets in Gironde.

Explore the structured geography of Réservoirs de Piraillan, a forty-hectare classified natural reserve situated on the Cap Ferret peninsula in southwestern France. This site offers a rare contrast between historical fish reservoirs and dense maritime pine forest, providing a protected habitat for diverse bird and insect populations adjacent to the Bassin d'Arcachon. Understand the interplay between these saltwater pools and the wider coastal terrain of the Gironde department through detailed mapping and landscape data.

Area

0.4 km²

Established

1943

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Mediterranean

Pyrénées-Mont Perdu National Park: Alpine Geography and Transboundary Protected Landscapes

Glacial cirques, limestone canyons, and alpine pastoral heritage.

Spanning the high Pyrenees, Pyrénées-Mont Perdu represents a rare union of dramatic geological formations and human cultural heritage. The terrain features vertical limestone walls, deep carved canyons, and expansive cirques that host both diverse alpine ecosystems and active seasonal migration routes. This protected area remains a benchmark for studying the interplay between powerful glacial geography and historic mountain pastoralism in Europe.

Area

306.39 km²

Established

1997

Relief

Mountain

Climate

Alpine

Réserve naturelle nationale géologique de Saucats et la Brède: Geological Nature Reserve Atlas

Protected strata and Miocene fossil landscapes in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

This protected area serves as a primary European reference site for Cenozoic geology. It features distinct Miocene marine sand outcrops, fossil-rich faluns, and stream-cut sections that reveal the complex history of the Aquitaine Basin across multiple geographic sectors.

Area

0.755 km²

Established

1982

IUCN

III

Réserve naturelle régionale d'Aulon: Mountain Geography and Protected Area Mapping

A diverse protected landscape spanning the central Pyrenees of Occitanie.

This regional nature reserve provides a focused look at central Pyrenean mountain environments. Covering over 1,200 hectares, the area features a steep altitudinal gradient, blending working pastoral meadows with critical habitats such as rocky slopes, conifer forests, and glacial landforms. The site serves as a vital anchor within the broader network of protected mountain terrain found throughout the Occitanie region.

Area

12.37 km²

Established

2001

IUCN

IV

Relief

Mountain

Réserve naturelle régionale du Massif du Montious: Regional Nature Reserve in Occitanie

Granitic massif geography and Pyrenean protected landscapes

Located in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées, this reserve captures the geological and biological essence of the Central Pyrenees. From the summit grasslands at 2,171 metres to the sheltered glacial basins, the terrain provides a comprehensive look at regional mountain ecosystems and Hercynian geological heritage.

Area

7.38 km²

Established

2020

IUCN

IV

Réserve naturelle nationale de la frayère d'Alose: Garonne River Protected Area Mapping

Analyzing aquatic terrain and migratory fish spawning grounds in France

Located in the Lot-et-Garonne department, the Réserve naturelle nationale de la frayère d'Alose comprises a unique, ecologically defined segment of the Garonne River. The reserve manages specific riverbed substrates and current patterns to maintain critical habitats for endangered anadromous species. Its role extends beyond simple protection, acting as a vital reference area for ecological research into the health of river-based migratory fish corridors across the region.

Area

0.478 km²

Established

1981

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park: Pyrenean High Mountain National Park Landscape

Explore glacial lakes and winding waterways in Catalonia.

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is a premier national park in the Pyrenees, celebrated for its extensive network of almost 200 glacial lakes and the dramatic natural beauty of the Sant Maurici lake. Its landscape is defined by high mountain terrain, characterized by U-shaped valleys, sharp ridges, and unique hydrological features like the Aigüestortes plain's meandering streams. This protected area in the Province of Lleida offers a rich setting for understanding alpine environments and Pyrenean geography through detailed mapping and atlas exploration.

Area

141 km²

Established

1955

IUCN

II

Visitors

525K annual

Sabinares del Arlanza-La Yecla: A Detailed Protected Landscape and Map of Burgos

Ancient juniper woodlands and deep limestone ravines in Castilla y León.

This protected area centers on the remarkable juniper forests and the narrow, vertical walls of the La Yecla gorge. The landscape serves as an essential habitat for cliff-nesting raptors while bridging the terrain between the Sierra de la Demanda foothills and the Arlanza River basin. The map captures the geological diversity of these limestone structures and the expansive botanical value found within this significant Spanish natural entity.

Area

391.74 km²

Established

2020

IUCN

V

Relief

Upland

Terres d'oiseaux Wildlife Reserve: Protected Estuarine Landscape in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Migratory bird habitat and Gironde estuary geography

Terres d'oiseaux is a significant wildlife reserve positioned within the Blayais marshes of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The site encompasses a diverse mosaic of estuarine wetlands, including reedbeds and open water, providing critical stopover habitat for migratory birds along the Atlantic flyway. Its geography represents a blend of tidal interaction and controlled natural management, essential for regional avian monitoring and ecological studies.

Area

1.2 km²

Established

2010

IUCN

IV

Relief

Lowland

Vallée de la Tude Protected Area: Regional Geography and Alluvial Landscape Map

Exploring the river valley networks of Nouvelle-Aquitaine

The Vallée de la Tude is a significant protected area located in the Charente department of southwestern France. This site features a series of wet meadows, lowland brooks, and woodland fragments that form an essential ecological network. Our atlas entry provides a detailed look at the geographic distribution and landscape composition of this unique alluvial valley.

Area

15.57 km²

Established

2006

Relief

Upland

Climate

Temperate

Réserve naturelle régionale Confluence Garonne-Ariège: Protected Riverine Geography and Mapping

A significant riparian landscape in the Occitanie region

Discover the protected river corridors and diverse natural terrain of the Réserve naturelle régionale Confluence Garonne-Ariège. This regional nature reserve marks the confluence of the Garonne and Ariège rivers, showcasing a complex mosaic of alluvial forest, riparian wetlands, and dry hillside woodlands that characterize the geography south of Toulouse.

Area

5.791 km²

Established

2015

IUCN

IV

Relief

Mixed relief

El Cachucho Marine Protected Area: Submarine Seamount and Cantabrian Sea Geography

Offshore protected landscapes and deep sea terrain mapping

El Cachucho represents a critical offshore protected area, defined by its massive seamount structure and proximity to the Asturian coastline. This marine habitat encompasses a complex array of geomorphological features, including rocky escarpments and submarine canyons that channel sediment across the narrow northern Iberian shelf, offering a detailed perspective on deep sea environmental architecture.

Area

57 km²

Relief

Upland

Climate

Temperate

Access

Remote access

Picos de Europa National Park: Dramatic Limestone Peaks and Protected Landscape Atlas

Explore Spain's historic national park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Picos de Europa National Park offers an unparalleled exploration of dramatic limestone peaks, deep glacial valleys, and extensive Atlantic forests. As Spain's oldest national park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it presents a remarkable study in karst landscape evolution and biodiversity conservation. This protected area, spanning significant territory across northern Spain, provides a rich geographic context for understanding regional natural heritage and mapped natural features.

Area

671.27 km²

Established

1918

IUCN

II

Relief

Mountain