Cork Lands

The cork oak forest is home to an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity, providing habitat for numerous species of high conservation value protected under European legislation. Among the most iconic are the Spanish imperial eagle, the black stork, the Eurasian eagle-owl, as well as mammals such as the Iberian wolf and the Iberian lynx.

Cork oak forests also deliver a wide range of vital ecosystem services. They act as significant carbon sinks, helping to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere, are naturally resilient to wildfires thanks to the unique properties of cork bark, and play an important role in preventing soil erosion and combating desertification.

Cork landscapes are shaped by Quercus suber, an endemic species of the Mediterranean Basin. Around half of the world’s cork oak forests are found on the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in its south-western regions. A significant proportion is located in North Africa, while the remainder is distributed across southern France, the western coast of Italy, and the islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily.

The diversity of cork landscapes is one of their greatest assets. This is hardly surprising, given the wide range of climatic conditions across their natural distribution and the long-standing relationship between people and this unique ecosystem, which has evolved over centuries.

In Spain, 24 protected natural areas include cork oak forests, among them some of the country’s most emblematic landscapes, such as Doñana National Park. Here we invite you to discover some of the natural areas most closely linked to cork-producing municipalities and the many experiences they have to offer.