Sierra de María-Los Vélez Natural Park
# Sierra de María-Los Vélez Natural Park

Sierra de María-Los Vélez Natural Park (Parque Natural de Sierra de María-Los Vélez) is a natural park of Spain. It is situated in Almería province in the municipalities of Chirivel, Maria, Vélez-Blanco, Vélez-Rubio.

It was designated a natural park in 1987 and covers 226.7 $km^2$ (87.5 sq mi). The park encompasses pine forests and supports a varied flora, including some species unique to the Sierra. Its highest peak is the María, a limestone outcrop of 2,045 metres (6,709 ft).

## Fauna

There are 100 bird species, including 17 species of birds of prey, and the park was declared a Special Protection Area in 2002. There is a butterfly subspecies of parnassius apollo, which can only be found in this area.

## Archaeology

The area was inhabited in prehistoric times, and archaeological remains from Paleolithic and Neolithic times have been excavated. Sites include:

* the Neolithic hilltop fort at Cerro de las Canteras, near the Corneras river.
* The Cueva de los Letreros (“Cave of the Signboards”), near Vélez Rubio, is famous for its cave paintings, and is part of a World Heritage Site, Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula.
* La Cueva del Gabar near Vélez-Blanco also has cave paintings.
