The Pyrenees is a mountain ranges which forms natural boundary between Spain and France and present in southwestern Europe.
The highest peak of pyrenees mountains is Aneto peak at a height of 3,404 metres (11,168 ft).
The Pyrenees ranges extends for about 491 km from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea which seperates Iberian peninsula from rest of the Europe.
Basques and the Catalans living in the borders of The Pyrenees mountain ranges which seperates Spain and France.
The Pyrenees mountain ranges are formed due to collision of Iberian and Eurasian landmasses around 80 and 20 million years ago.
The Pyrenees mountain range stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.
Physiologically the Pyrenees may be divided into three Parts: the Atlantic on Western side, the Central, and the Eastern Pyrenees near the Mediterranean Sea.
The total length of the Pyrenees is around 491 km. It is narrower in eastern part but it reaches around 130 kilometers in width at its center.
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There are large number of the mountain torrents which are locally called as gaves, which usually form lofty waterfalls.
Gavarnie is the highest waterfall of 462 m in height.
The highest road pass in the Pyrenees is Pas de la Casa or Port d'Envalira which provides the route from France to Andorra at height of 2,408 m.
According to legend Roland has created a gap in the ridge line called as La Brèche de Roland which is notable visual feature of the Pyrenees mountain ranges.
The greatest sources of talc in Europe is the open pit of Trimoun near the commune of Luzenac (Ariège).
The hot water springs are abundant which are sulfurous and mostly situated high, among those of Les Escaldes in Andorra, Panticosa and Lles in Spain, Ax-les-Thermes, Bagnères-de-Luchon and Eaux-Chaudes in France are of prominence.
The western ranges recieves more rain and snow than the eastern Pyrenees. The average temperature of winter is −2 °C (28 °F).
The western and central Pyrenees, have some glaciers and snowy mountains but in eastern Pyrenees there is no glaciers and less snowfall.
The total area covered by Pyrenees mountain ranges is 19 000 km². These ranges contains 129 main summits and some 83 secondary summits above 3000 m.
Toulouse is the largest and most famous town in the area in capital city of the Midi-Pyrénées region which is also known for its gastronomy and dynamic culture and also home to famous company Airbus.
Lourdes is a pilgrimage site for Catholics.
Pyrenees National Park is largest and most famous National Park on French side around Cirque de Gavarnie.
The third oldest nature reserves is The Neouvielle Reserve (Réserve naturelle du Néouvielle) which is well known for its lakes.
The Pyrenees are diverse dense and rich in its flora and contains around 4500 plant species out of this 150 endemic species of plants found in France.
Amoung these Pyrenean saxifrage, the Columbine, the Iris of the Pyrenees and the blue thistle are of great importance.
Under the influence of Mediterranean Sea and the hot winds from Spain, flora on the eastern side of the massif, mainly composed of scrubland and shrubs,
Pine, fir, beech and oak trees are most common trees found in the Pyrenees region.
The Pyrenees are have also great faunal diversity too.
Brown bear is the best known animal found is almost on the verge to extinction due to habitat loss and hunting.
Marmot is another emblematic animal in the Pyrenees.
The Pyrenees are also inhabited many other mammals such as wolves, wild boars, red deer, wildcats, mouflons, squirrels, lynx and lizards, as well as raptors, especially royal eagles and eagle-owls.
The eastern side which is close to the Mediterranean Sea and having hot temperatures allow for the production of wine.
Banyuls-sur-Mer which is closer to Spain is most famous vineyards and the wine produced in area known as “Côte Vermeille” is present around the four cities such as Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Cerbère.
The Basque country has a well developed tourism sector, the occupations of farmers and herdsman is farming during spring and summer seasons and same become ski instructors during winter seasons in different ski resorts.
Herodotus a Greek historian said There was a town in Celtic Europe named Pyrene.
According to legend by Silius Italicus, Pyrene was the virgin daughter of Bebryx, and Hercules was given hospitality by her during his quest. When Hercules drunk and lustful raped her she gave birth to a serpent and runs away to the forest. She told her story to the trees, where wild beasts tear her to pieces.
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