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Life at more than 1,500 meters above sea level

by time news

Just over 38 kilometers, this is the road ​distance that separates granada from Pradollano. this is the space covered by⁣ the‌ almost 14,000 visitors who ‌come to the Sierra‌ Nevada ski resort every day. A 41-minute⁣ car journey in which ⁤you go from 738 meters above sea ‌level to more than 2,000 metres.

Javier ‌Lucas knows this route perfectly and not because he is one of the 14,000 snow lovers who come every winter to slide down the slopes of Granada’s peaks. He arrived in Pradollano 18 years ​ago so as not to abandon it and​ is one of almost 400 residents who have the honor⁣ of living ⁢in the highest center in Spain. And what does‌ it mean? “A ‍pretty quiet, cozy life,” Lucas replies on the ‌other end of the phone.

Javier is one ⁤of ⁢the 5,014 inhabitants, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics, who carry out their daily activities above 1,500‌ meters above sea level. Just 0.01% of the Spanish population.Some of them live,like this Madrilenian who lives in ⁣Granada,in small inhabited centers,that is,groups of at least ten buildings,which form streets,squares and other urban arteries.

2,058 m

Cave of

Waterfall

(Iznalloz, Granada)

1,764 m

CIA Izaña

(Tenerife)

2,377 m

Bronchal

(Teruel)

1,575 m

Valdelinares

(Teruel)

1,695 m

Port of⁤ Navacerrada

(Cercedilla, Madrid)

1,812 m

Atmospheric Research Center

Formigale

(Salent de Gallego, Huesca)

1,542 m

Highest inhabited center in Spain

Ermita plant

(La Vall de⁣ Boí, Lleida)

1,610 m

Pradollano

(Monachil, Granada)

2,058 m

Cave of ⁢

Waterfall

(Iznalloz, Granada)

1,764 m

Barajas

(Navarredonda, Avila)

1,551 m

CIA Izaña

(Tenerife)

2,377 m

Valdelinares

(Teruel)

1,695 m

Formigale

(Salent‍ de Gallego, Huesca)

1,542 m

Port of Navacerrada

(Cercedilla,​ Madrid)

1,812 m

Bronchal

(Teruel)

1,575⁢ m

Atmospheric Research ⁣Center

Life at more than 1,500 meters above sea level

Highest inhabited⁤ center in Spain

Pradollano

(Monachil, Granada)

2,058 m

Water cave

(Iznalloz, Granada)

1,764 m

Ermita plant

(La Vall de Boí, Lleida)

1,610 ⁤m

barajas

(Navarredonda, Avila)

1,551 m

CIA Izaña

(Tenerife)

2,377 m

Port of Navacerrada

(Cercedilla, ⁤Madrid)

1,812 m

Valdelinares

(Teruel)

1,695 ‍m

bronchal

(Teruel)

1,575 m

Highest inhabited center in‍ Spain

CIA ⁤Izaña

(Tenerife)

2,377 m

Pradollano

(Monachil, Granada)

2,058 m

Water cave

(Iznalloz, Granada)

1,764 m

Barajas

(Navarredonda, Avila)

1,551 m

Ermita plant

(La Vall de‌ Boí, Lleida)

1,610​ m

The rest of Spaniards, more‍ than 47 million, live below that threshold. “and there are more of ​them as they​ get closer to sea level,”⁤ explains Sebastián Álvaro, mountaineer and adventurer.

From the northernmost, Mañón ‌in Galicia, to the southernmost, El Pinar de El Hierro in Santa‌ Cruz de Tenerife. Or from the westernmost one, La Frontera also in Santa ​Cruz⁤ de tenerife, to the easternmost one, Mahón in the Balearic Islands. All are located below 1,000 meters above sea level.This is the case of 87.42% of the 8,132 Spanish municipalities.

In Spain, despite being one of the European countries with a fairly⁤ high average altitude (660 meters above sea level), it is challenging to open the ⁣window and look the imposing peaks of the ​Iberian mountain ranges in the face.

The average number of inhabitants for the set of municipalities that are located at 1,500 meters or‌ more⁢ above sea level is 159. Far from the almost 600 that exceed 1,000⁤ meters and very far from the over 6,600 average inhabitants of the municipalities that are higher low.

This life on the high peaks is not an Iberian exception, it is an unwritten ‍norm throughout the planet. Only 2.2%​ of the world’s population⁣ lives at high altitude, i.e.above 1,500 meters above sea level.“It is a special experience and full of contrasts,” explains Kilian arrudi, resident of Sallent de Gállego in the aragonese Pyrenees.

Every morning when he opens the window and‌ looks up, this young man from Sallento⁣ sees an imposing 2,321 metre peak – the Peña Foratata – which reminds him where‌ he is. He ⁤and Javier are part of the 0.01% of Spaniards who ⁣live in the high mountains. “It has its advantages

As you climb towards the high peaks the services become scarcer. “We ​only have one bus that goes to Granada twice a day,” warns the Pradollano. Or “access to certain services or activities, such as leisure, education or specialized healthcare, may be limited ‌and sometimes it is necessary ‌to travel to nearby cities,” adds ⁣Arrudi.

Over the years we have been abandoning the high areas of the Iberian peninsula. “Just look at the central⁤ plateau, where what we call ’empty Spain’ is concentrated”, recalls Sebastián Álvaro.

“Life is simpler at sea level,” he clarifies.And it’s not just at ⁢the service level, but also at the healthcare level.

“My experience tells me that from 2,000⁣ meters onwards life gets‍ intricate,” explains Álvaro. The ⁣limit, several scientific​ studies clarify, is around 2,500, even if adapted populations exist on Everest.“We have studied it and​ their genetics allow them to survive,” explains Álvaro.

On this ⁢part of the planet life is already complicated at 2,000 ⁣meters. “When we get off or on from Granada, ‌they advise us to stop so we don’t get angry,” replies Javier Lucas, laughing. “Well, ⁣it’s a dizzy feeling that ⁣resolves with⁢ a biodramine‍ or an aspirin,” Lucas adds. An anomaly that occurs as the body acclimatizes to altitude, as it functions better at sea level.⁢ In these areas the atmospheric pressure is 1,013.25 millibars and the oxygen‍ (O2) concentration ​is 20.9%. As you increase in altitude, atmospheric pressure decreases exponentially.

“It’s not that human life is ‌not allowed, but ⁤that for example doing physical exercise is more complicated,” says the famous mountaineer. “When I get off my bike⁤ and pedal ⁢at sea level I feel more energetic,” says Kilian Arrudi.

Although Spain is known for its⁣ nearly 8,000 ​kilometers of coastline, more than half of the national territory is made up of mountains. From the roof of the country, Mount Teide with its imposing 3,175 meters above the waters of the Atlantic ​to the 358‍ meters of⁤ El Toro (Balearic Islands) above ⁣the⁣ Mediterranean. These ‌are​ the 94 mountains, according⁢ to data from ​the INE, which Spain owns.

Although the National ​Geographic Institute‌ lists up to thousands of them, grouping them into mountain ranges with various hierarchies.

Although life in the mountains is‌ reserved for a privileged few, enjoying it is⁤ becoming easier. The mountains‌ are rich in endemic species. As well as maintaining a great diversity of species and habitats.

However, the activities carried out tens and​ hundreds ⁣of kilometers from its peaks are putting ​its ⁤survival at⁢ risk.These ecosystems are notably sensitive to the effects of climate change, as the scientific community warns. Year after year, temperatures increase hundredths and precipitation, once in the form of snow,‌ is now scarcer. In ⁤2021,the‍ Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge warned that by the middle of this century Spanish

resorts below 2,000 meters could disappear‌ or be converted to other tourism modes due to lack or scarcity of snow.

What are the unique challenges faced ‍by communities living in the ⁤Spanish Pyrenees?

He Spanish pyrenees. The unique lifestyle in these elevated regions is shaped by the challenging⁣ environment, stunning landscapes, and distinct cultural elements ​that emerge from living in​ such a setting.

In Spain, the highest inhabited center is⁤ found in Pradollano, Monachil, Granada, at an altitude of 2,058 meters, while other notable heights include the CIA Izaña in Tenerife at⁣ 2,377 meters and the Water Cave in Iznalloz, Granada, at‍ 1,764 meters. The ‍living conditions at‍ these altitudes are ⁢markedly different from those below, affecting everything from climate and agriculture too transportation ⁤and access to essential services.

Despite the‍ thin population at these ⁣elevations, those who inhabit these areas ofen form closely-knit communities with ‍a deep appreciation for their unique environment. ⁤The high altitude brings about challenges, including harsher weather conditions and limited resources, yet it also offers breathtaking views and a ‌serene‌ lifestyle ⁣that many find ⁢appealing.

In contrast, the majority of Spain’s population lives ⁤at lower altitudes, with significant⁢ urban centers ‌located well below⁢ the 1,500-metre ⁣mark. This divergence illustrates a interesting ​aspect of Spanish geography: ​while the ​country boasts notable mountains and high-altitude regions, most of its population resides in lively cities and towns that thrive at sea ​level​ or in elevated coastal areas.

the juxtaposition of life at ​high altitude and in urban centers presents a unique tapestry of experiences and challenges in‌ Spain,⁤ reflecting a complex interplay between‍ geography, culture, and ‌community in the Iberian Peninsula.

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