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The
Valley of Liébana is located at the extreme western
area of Cantabria, bordering the principality of
Asturias and the Castilian provinces of León and Palencia.
The valley of Liébana is surrounded by the mountain belt
of the high Cantabrian Mountains. This valley is
at the bottom of the impressive National Park of the European
Mountains, and, without a doubt, one of the most natural
and beautiful sites of the Peninsula.
The Liébana valley
is shaped into a circle of 550 square Km. where the capital of the
region, Potes, is located. Here is where the valley
of Valdevaró and Cereceda converge. The rivers Deva and Quiviesa,
supply water to the valley of Valdeprado and are crossed by the
Bullón and Cillorigo rivers. |
The region of Liébana has seven
towns: Potes, Camaleño, Cillorigo de Liébana, Tresviso,
Cabezón de Liébana, Vega de Liébana and Pesaguero.
The high altitude of the region, the roughness
and unequal heights, and the different solar exposure to the slopes
of these mountains, gives this region an excellent variety of
vegetation. There are beech and oak forests on the highest levels
of the mountains. The skirt of the mountain is covered with holm
oaks and cork oaks, which are trees typical of the mediterranean
flora. The meadows and also the highgrowing lands, are of a great
botanic interest.
Besides the beauty and wide diversity of
vegetation, the wildlife area is rich and interesting. There are
species in extinction, such as the bear, the capercaillie, great-eagle
and the wolf. Roe back, venison, deer and wild boar are abundant
in the area. In the rivers, we can find trout, conger eel, and
salmon.
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unique location of the Liébana region, results in an extraordinary
climate for visitors. The orientation of the valley sides and the
high altitude of the mountains creates a micro mediterrerranean
climate. Here, one finds himself at the bottom of the valley with
small, sunny rocky islands in the middle of this atlantic mountain.
This narrow mountain pass "La Hermida",
is the only entrance from the North to the valley of Liébana.
After passing, you are welcomed by a radiant sun and illuminating
lebaniegan sky.
The summers
are, bright and dry, refreshed by the Northern winds. Winters tends
to be mild, even though there is some freezing from November to
January. In the higher regions, the alpine climate is humid.
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in the Valley of Liébana with its unique
microclimate, a large variety of quality products are grown, many
fruits and pod vegetables. One is able to take delight in tasty
meat, cured meat from the region, as well as the salmons and trout
from the Deva river.
The
"Cocido Lebaniego" is a favourite and typical
dish. The combination of meat, pork sausage, salted meat, lard,
cabbage, potatoes, seasonings, are cooked all together with small
chick- peas, over a slow fire. This is a dish to be tried.
First the
broth from the ingredients above is served with noodles, as a soup
for the first course. Next, you have the chick-peas and the above
mentioned meat, sousage, etc.
This region
is also a cheese paradise with a wide variety and high quality.
There are two cheeses from the cantabrian mountain; the spicy cheese
"Bejes-Tresviso" and the little cheese
from Liébana.
The orujo
(a strong spirit) is another product from a long time ago, elaborated
in the region. The production is handmade and controlled.
We cannot forget the "tostadillo" (sweet
liquor wine), the "tea del puerto" (which
has a pleasant aroma and delicate taste obtained from a wild plant
in the lebaniegan highlands) or the delicious home-made desserts.
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