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The Sierra de las Nieves natural park is located in the hills behind Marbella and to the east of the road to Ronda from the Costa del Sol in Andalucia in Southern Spain. The park centres on La Torrecilla (1919 m) and covers an area of 202 km². This mountainous area has seen little human influence or activity (cultivation) even historically and has a rich variety of flora and fauna. As the name suggests, it can be snow-covered in the winter. The area was studied in the 19th century by Swiss botanist Pierre Edmond Boissier and in 1933 by Luis Ceballos. In 1970 the park was declared a National Hunting Reserve and in 1995 a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park (Parque Natural Sierra de las Nieves) is located at the heart of the natural Serrania de Ronda region, in the province of Malaga. This mountainous area is punctuated by deep ravines and spectacular cliffs, such as La Caina, with a drop of over 100 metres. Furthermore, the limestone nature of the earth has created a number of potholes, such as the G.E.S.M., the world’s third deepest at 1,100 metres The highest peak is Torrecilla (1,919 metres) in the Sierra Blanca de Tolox. Its greatest treasure are its conifer forests dating back to the tertiary period, featuring the Spanish fir, the most unusual species of fir in the world. Its relief is extremely rugged, with the deep ravines, high cliffs and gorges characteristic of Alpine folding. Flora In the mountain peaks, where precipitation and fog are common, large numbers of gall oaks and Spanish firs are to be found. At lower altitudes the holm oak and cork oak thrive. There are also small collections of madronnos, chestnut trees, yews, maples and ashes. Fauna The area is home to one of Andalusia’s largest communities of mountain goat, one of only two wild species of large hoofed mammal native to the Park, the other being the deer. Other species such as the stag and mountain ox have been brought in, the Park providing them with an excellent habitat. Also to be found here are certain animal species protected by law, such as the wild cat, golden eagle and otter, the latter having practically disappeared from the River Verde. The Pecho Venus Centre for the Recuperation of Protected Species in Tolox cares for animals which have been harmed.