In the interior of the province, you will find the Vega Baja region, also known as Bajo Segura, which is located in the southeast of the Valencian Region. Its region capital is placed in Orihuela. The area is situated in a valley formed by the alluvial reservoirs of the Segura River. In the middle of this scenery the Orihuela and Callosa Sierras arise.
ENVIROMENTAL VALUE: This region is blessed with landscapes with great environmental value and is representative of native flora and fauna. The botanic variety of the environment is remarkable: different types of bush like esparto grass, palmetto, reeds and rush grow in the area.
As regards the indigenous fauna, the large number of birds is an important characteristic of the area. This unique spot has the largest winter concentration of birds of the Iberian Peninsula. It is crucially important for typical biologic cycle of many species, just like the native Montagu's Harrier, little Grebes and Flamingos.
Next to the estuary of the Segura River, a large sandy beach stretches down to the river, where you can find a large area full of sand dunes. Thanks to the reforestations carried out on the area, now we have a large landscape with great environmental value. La Pedrera, Benejuzar Mountains, Albatera Sierra and Orihuela and San Isidro Palmeral Groves are some of the natural reserves placed within the region. The Parque Natural Del Hondo is a natural reserve, which borders on the municipality area of Catral. Its principal feature is the marshland area and its importance as an ornithological spot. In the past, a vast area of the Vega Baja was plenty of marshland.
