Os Ancares is a

comarca A ''comarca'' (, or , or ) is a traditional region or local administrative division found in Portugal, Spain and some of their former colonies, like Brazil, Nicaragua, and Panama. The term is derived from the term ''marca'', meaning a "march, ...

in the Galician

Province of Lugo Lugo is a province of northwestern Spain, in the northeastern part of the autonomous community of Galicia. It is bordered by the provinces of Ourense, Pontevedra, and A Coruña, the principality of Asturias, the State of León, and in the n ...

. The overall population of this local region is 13,888 (2005). It is formed by the municipality of Candín with two slopes, Sil and Navia, and separated by the Ancares pass. Today, Os Ancares also refers to a broader region that straddles the provinces of Lugo and León. The Spanish term ''Los Ancares Lucenses'' (i.e. pertaining to Lugo) is sometimes used to refer to the Galician Ancares, thus distinguishing them from ''Los Ancares Leoneses'' (i.e. pertaining to León). A range of mountains called in Galician the " Serra dos Ancares" forms the border.

Geography

Os Ancares has mountain valley high altitudes and steep slopes located in the northwest of

El Bierzo El Bierzo (; ; gl, O Bierzo) is a ''comarca'' in the province of León, Spain. Its capital is the town of Ponferrada. Other major towns are Bembibre and Villafranca del Bierzo, the historical capital. The territory of El Bierzo includes ...

. The main river that gives name to the region is the Ancares river, a tributary of the river Cúa which, in turn, is of the Sil. This river began as Cuiña and has tributaries from the rivers Miravalles and de la Vega and streams from Penedón, Baliñas and the Cross. Traditionally, only the higher towns of high of Ancares are called Ancareses. Apart from San Martin de Moreda and until San Pedro de Olleros, where the river flows into the Cúa, is where they are considered ''bercianos''. The altitude varies between the valley from 800 to 900 meters, and the highest peaks, which are about 2,000 meters (Pico Miravalles at 1,969 meters). The climate is mountainous, with high rainfall and moderate temperatures.

Ecology

''Os Ancares Lucenses y Montes de Cervantes, Navia y Becerrea'' has been declared a

biosphere reserve A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or ...

Economy

The Ancareses have a reputation for good traders, dedicating themselves in the past. Many of them trade with the valleys and neighboring regions. This was probably forced by the poor performance of agriculture due to poor land and poor quality of the products . Cabbage cultivation from which an Ancares broth is made is traditional in this region.

Municipalities

Becerreá, As Nogais, Baralla,

Cervantes Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (; 29 September 1547 (assumed) – 22 April 1616 NS) was an Early Modern Spanish writer widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world's pre-eminent novelists. He is best kno ...

, Navia de Suarna and

Pedrafita do Cebreiro Pedrafita do Cebreiro is a municipality in the province of Lugo (province), Lugo in Galicia (Spain), Galicia, Spain. It borders the Lugo municipalities of As Nogais, Cervantes, Lugo, Cervantes, Folgoso do Courel, Samos, Lugo, Samos and Triacaste ...

References

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