Natural resources and rural tourism

The region of Murcia has 19 areas under different statutes of protection, representing 6% of its territory.
San Pedro’s marsh

* Sierra Espuña: Protected Natural Space, it has an area of 17,804 ha, located on the Baetic Cordillera within the basin of the Segura. It is also declared as Special Protected Area for the Birds.


* Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar, salt marsh by the Mar Menor.
* Cabo Cope-Puntas del Calnegre, between Águilas and Lorca, by the Mediterranean sea. The government of Murcia has amended Law 1/2001 of 24 April on Land in the Region of Murcia, declassifying a total of 1600 hectares of the land protected by the Regional Park of Cabo Cope and Puntas de Calnegre. Rares species of animals (Bonelli's eagle, Greek tortoise) and plants are threatened.


* Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas y Peña del Aguila, between La Manga and Cartagena, Calblanque is also one of the top-favourite beaches for the Murcians although it is an undeveloped area.
* Carrascoy y el Valle, is a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Site of Community Importance (SCI).
* Sierra de la Pila, also a Special Protection Area (SPA).
* Sierra del Carche, also part of 7 the Baetic Cordillera.
* Cañón de Almadenes

Cañón de Almadenes

* Humedal del Ajuaque y Rambla Salada, another wetland and also a Special Protection Area (SPA).
* Cerro de Cabezo Gordo, in which there is the archaeological site of Sima de las Palomas, a cave where the second oldest human remains in the Iberian Peninsula were found.
* La Muela y Cabo Tiñoso
* Islas del Mediterráneo or the Mediterranean Islands. A group of islands and islets on the Murcian Mediterranean. It has a high ecological importance.
* Espacios Abiertos e Islas del Mar Menor, in which the five volcanic islands of the Mar Menor are included.
* Sierra de las Moreras
* Cañaverosa
* Sierra de Salinas
* Barrancos de Gebas
* Saladares del Guadalentín
* Cuatro Calas

Inner lands of the region, near the historical towns of Caravaca de la Cruz and Moratalla, offer a number of rural accommodations and facilities: cottages, farmhouses, country houses and camp sites. Visitors can engage in activities related to excursions, day trips, sports, sightseeing.
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