The Autonomous Region of Castile and Leon, located on the Meseta plateau north of Madrid, is the largest region in Spain and has the sixth largest population.
The region is located along the Duero River and borders Portugal (in the west), Aragon (in the east), Cantabria and Asturias (in the north) and Castile (in the south).
Castile and Leon are surrounded by the chains of the Cantabrian, Central and Iberian mountains.
The region’s highest peak is Mount Moncayo.
The natural landscape of the autonomy does not differ in diversity, it is mainly a clay plain with bare rocks.
Capital and major major cities
The main city of Castile and Leon is Valladolid, which is also one of the provinces of the region.
In total, the autonomy includes nine provinces:
- Avila.
- Zamora.
- Burgos.
- Segovia.
- Leon.
- Soria.
- Salamanca.
- Palencia.
- Valladolid.
The largest are Valladolid, Burgos and Leon.
All provincial capitals bear the same name and are located along the tributaries of the Duero River.
The main attractions of the region
Castile and Leon attracts travelers primarily with its unique architectural monuments and historical sites:
- Segovia is famous for its underground tunnels, the ancient aqueduct and the Alcazar Palace.
- In Salamanca, you can admire an old monastery, a fortress city and a natural park.
- Burgos is home to an incredible cathedral and Benedictine abbey.
- León has a gothic church with amazing stained glass windows and frescoes.
- Palencia is famous for its archaeological museums and medieval castles.
Beaches and coasts
The most famous beach of the autonomy is Las Moreras – an unusually picturesque beach in Valladolid, which is located at the ancient Punta Mayor bridge.
It beckons tourists with soft white sand and calm warm water.
There is everything for a comfortable stay, from showers to a volleyball court.
Also on the beach, parties and music festivals are held, excursions on the water on motor boats are held.
And next to Las Moreras is the blossoming Poniente Park , where you can walk in the shade of trees and have a picnic.
Airports and transport
The main airport of the region is Valladolid Airport , which operates flights to Ibiza, Barcelona, Tenerife, Palma de Mallorca, Belfast and other major cities.
The airports of Leon and Salamanca are for domestic passenger traffic only.
The railway of Castile and Leon is very extensive, the main routes of the territory are connected with Madrid.
Also on the autonomy runs the train line Paris – Lisbon.
Highways border with Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula, there are three main routes in the region, and they all connect the provinces with each other.
Weather and climatic conditions
The climate of Castile and Leon is continental Mediterranean.
The territory of this autonomous region has cold long winters and warm short summers.
In winter, the thermometer drops to + 2-4 ° C (there are frosts at night), and in summer it rarely rises to + 20-22 ° C, but in some areas there is a short heat under + 30 ° C (especially in July).
The amount of precipitation due to the mountains is minimal, rains and snows occur mainly in high territories.
The driest climate is in the province of Zamora, and the highest humidity is found in the mountainous regions of Leon.
