Capital: Merida

Area: 41,602 km²

Provinces 2: Cáceres, Badajoz

Extremadura is one of Spain’s most sparsely populated regions which makes it a wonderful area to study the nature. The landscape is shaped by the mountain ranges of the Cordillera Central, Montes de Toledo and the Sierra Morena (which is on its southern border with Andalucia). Fertile plains surround the large bodies of water supplied by the Tajo river in Caceres and the Guadiana in the low lands of Badajoz.

White storks have a massive population in this area, with possibly around 11,000 individuals. Their huge nests can be seen perched around church steeples, roofs and atop telegraph poles. Other birds for which Extremadura is well known are the Great and Little Bustards which live on the extensive plains.

Extremadura has a newly upgraded park, the National Park of Monfragüe. The valleys of its two rivers are important ecological reserves and are excellent areas to observe many raptors. It is one of the best areas to see Black vultures, Black storks and Imperial eagles.

Dehesas are farms that blend a mixture of agriculture, raising livestock, set aside and tree plantations. Large oak trees are widely spaced, these may have grazing animals, crops beneath or just be rested meadow land. This combination offers an ideal habitat for many wild birds, wild flowers and creatures such as the large Oscillated lizard. The acorns supply a food source for Cerdo Iberico (black Iberian pig).

This region comprises of two provinces, Caceres and Badajoz, its capital nevertheless being Merida. The capital is certainly worth a visit to view its fantastic Roman ruins. Romans put Extremadura on the stage of history, and Merida was one of the most important cities in the whole Roman Empire. Later on the region was, for a long period of time, the border between Moorish and Christian Spain. After the reconquista it was brought into a new era of splendor with the discovery of America, when it was the cradle of several famous conquerors