The coast of Almeria between Mojacar and Carboneras lies under the Sierra Cabrera mountains whose peaks rise to nearly one thousand metres above sea level and overlook the towns of Carboneras, Los Gallardos, Mojacar, Turre and Sorbas. The area is rich in natural resources, from minerals to plants and wildlife, and is regarded as an area of natural beauty. Its relatively recent geological formation has left a breathtaking combination of steep peaks, deep gorges and dry river beds, much of it bleak and inaccessible.
The high winds that sweep across the arid plaints of tabernas and Sorbas have a drying effect on the plant life, leaving only a few species that can thrive – including esparto, wild thyme and lavender. At the same time, the deep ramblas vegetation, where it´s possible to find olives, almonds, carobs and figs flourishing next to desert plants like palms, agaves and prickly pears.
Here too, is one of the only places in the world where one can find the Limonium estevel also known as Siempreviva Majaquera, a recently – discover type of orchid that is only seen in the Sierra Cabrera area, and classified as an endangered few species capable of surviving in the brackish waters found near the coast, and is now protected in may parts of the coast, for example on the beaches close to the Castillo de Macenas, below the village of Mojacar.
