624 



SPAIN. 



2. Mountains. The Pyrenees separate this kingdom from France, and run east ana west 

 from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, siiirting the whole southern shore of the bay ol Biscay 

 In common language, the name of Pyrenees is applied only to that part of the range between 

 France and Spain ; tlie western portions are known by the appellations of the JMountains of Biscay^ 

 the Sierra of Jlshirias^ the Mountains of Mondonedo, Sanlillana, and Vindho. They were 

 known to the ancients by the name of the Cantabrian Mountains. This range is, in some 

 parts, 120 miles in breadth. The eastern peak of the Maladetta, the loftiest summit, rises to 

 the height of 11,441 feet. On the south, the Pyrenees have a sterile appearance ; but their 

 northern sides are less precipitous, and afford many woods and pastures. Their highest sum- 

 mits are capped with perpetual snow. The level country on the French side is much lower 

 than on the side of Spain. The most important defiles through these mountains, leading from 

 France to Spain, are from St. .lean de Luz to Irun ; the pass of Roncesvalles, and the pass 

 near the Mediterranean, from Perpignan to Barcelona. 



Proceeding south from these mountains, we come to a second range branching off irregularly 

 from the Pyrenees, first southeasterly, and then southwesterly. This is called the Iberian 

 Chain., and, as it approaches toward Portugal, takes the name oi Monte Gata. It divides Old 

 from New Castile, and bears, in different parts, the names of Guadarrama, Urbia, Oca, Mon- 

 cago, &c. Nearly parallel to the southern part of this, is another range, called the Sierra de 

 Guadalupe, in the north termed the Mountains of Toledo. Still further south is the Sierra 

 Morena, or Brown JMountain, which, in the time of the Saracen dominion, was the boundary 

 between Moorish and Christian Spain. The most southerly range is the Sierra JS'''evada, or 

 snowy ridge, which skirts the Mediterranean. These are the highest mountains in Spain. 

 The Cumbre de Mulahaccn, their loftiest point, rises to the height of 11,698 feet. The high 

 summits are covered the whole year with snow and ice, and may be seen from the distant coast 

 of Africa. On the other mountains of Spain, the snow seldom lies longer than a few months. 

 Many of them are entirely barren, and exhibit nothing but a naked assemblage of crags thrown 

 together in the most picturesque manner. Some are covered with a scanty crop of grass and 

 brushwood, and others are clothed with magnificent forests. Firs, oaks, and cork-trees grow 

 in the higher regions. Chestnuts, tamarisks, pines, and birches clothe their bases. 



The Mountain of Montserrat, is a detached eminence of the eastern Pyrenees, about 30 

 miles northwest of Barcelona. It consists of a cluster of sharp peaks, rising to the height of 

 3,300 feet, and always capped with clouds. The whole mountain is 24 miles in circumference 

 There are 14 hermitages upon different parts of these heights, and about half way up, is a mag- 

 nificent convent of Benedictines. The scenery, in every part of this remarkable eminence, is 

 strikingly bold and romantic. 



3. Valleys. The great valleys of this country, are traversed by the 5 principal rivers, de- 

 scribed under the next head ; their general outlines may be understood, from the preceding de- 

 scription of the mountain ranges, which mark their limits. 



4. Rivers. The Tajo, or Tagus, rises in the Sierra de Albarracin, in Arragon, and flows 

 west, between the Iberian chain of mountains and the Sierra de Guadalupe, through Portugal, 

 into the Atlantic. It is a large river, with steep banks and a rapid current ; but is not naviga- 

 ble, on account of its rocks and shallows. The Guadiana rises in La Mancha, and flov/s 

 southwesterly, between the mountains of Guadalupe and the Sierre Morena, to the Atlantic, 

 intersecting the southern part of Portugal, and, at its mouth, forming the boundary between the 

 two kingdoms. It is navigable for 45 miles from its mouth. The Guadalquivir flows between 

 the Sierra Morena and the Sierra Nevada, southwesterly, to the sea. It is a beautiful stream, and 

 is navigable in the lower part of its course. In the north of Spain, is the Duero, flowing west, 

 through Portugal, into the Atlantic. The Ebro rises among the mountains in the north, and 

 runs southeasterly into the Mediterranean; its mouth is shallow and sandy. The Guadalaviar 

 and Xucnr, are smaller streams, running in the same direction. Most of the rivers of Spain 

 have shallow and stony beds, and dry up in summer to such a degree, as to be nearly useless 

 for navigation. 



.5. Islands. The Balearic Islands are a group in the Mediterranean, consisting of Majorca, 

 Minorca, Ivica, and Fromentera, with some smaller ones. Majorca, the largest. Is about 100 

 miles from the coast. It is 40 miles in extent, each way, and is mountainous. Minorca pos- 

 sesses the valuable harbor of Port Mahon. These islands have generally a good soil, and pro- 

 duce oranges, olives, wine, &c., and they have 240,000 inhabitants. 



6. Coasts. The shores are generally bold, and are furnished with many safe and commodi 

 ous harbors, but there are no very large bays, or gulfs. 



