The Pyrenees are a mountain range in Europe that form a natural boundary between France and Spain. In Spanish they are known as Pirineos. They extend from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea, separating the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe. Older than the Alps, they formed approximately 100-150 million years ago.
Fast Facts:
- Aneto is the tallest peak at over 3000 meters
- Range is 267 miles long
- Home of the Tour de France
- Home to many ski resorts and dog mushing
- Has 3 national parks, 2 in Spain, 1 in France
- Bears have been reintroduced into the mountains
- Elevation: 3,400 feet
- National Parks: Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park and Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Spain, and Pyrénées National Park in France
Background
Named for the Greek, Pyrene, which means fire, the Pyrenees are part of the Spanish provinces Girona, Barcelona, Lleida, Huesca, Navarra, and Guipúzcoa. The French region is part of the Pyrénées-Orientales,Aude, Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques provinces.
Featured Video
Pyrenees History and Background
- New York Times: Hiking With History in the Pyrenees (May 20, 1990)
