Monegros Desert, Desert region in Aragon, Spain
The Monegros Desert is a semi-arid region in Aragon that spreads across Zaragoza and Huesca provinces, marked by barren hillsides, dry riverbeds, and exposed rocky formations. The land displays sparse vegetation, eroded clay slopes, and gullies that give the area its harsh and austere appearance.
The area gained protected status in 1992 due to its exceptionally high number of species found nowhere else in Europe. This designation acknowledged the need to safeguard this distinctive habitat for future generations.
The people living around these lands have kept agricultural and herding traditions alive through small family farms scattered across the region. You can see shepherds tending flocks and local crops adapted to the dry climate.
The best time to visit is during spring or autumn when temperatures are milder and walking becomes more comfortable. There are marked hiking routes and viewpoints easily reached by car, plus small villages nearby offering basic services and rest stops.
The landscape is home to an unexpectedly high diversity of wildlife, including rare birds of prey like kestrels nesting in natural caves. These raptors have vanished from most desert areas in Europe, making this location particularly noteworthy for nature observers.
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