An island divided into two regions

The island is divided into two regions. The first, the north, is the most rugged . Here we find beaches of reddish sand and landscapes of great beauty. The second region situated in the south, has a much gentler relief, with a coastline of cliffs, gullies covered in pine trees and coves of golden sand. The highest elevation of the island is monte Toro, at 357 metres.

The transition zone    The cushioning zone    Nature Reserve

The territory of a Biosphere Reserve is divided into three zones according to its level of protection:

1. The nucleus zone:
   this is the Reserve zone with the maximum legal protection that has to ensure the in situ bio-diversity on a long term basis. The nucleus zone of the Minorcan Biosphere Reserve is the Parque Natural de la Albufera d'Es Grau, Illa d'en Colom and Cap de Favàritx and its zone of influence.
   
   
2. The cushioning zone or the buffer zone:
   this is made up of those spaces where activities can be carried out only if they are compatible with the protection of the nucleus zone of the Reserve, such as scientific research, education and environmental training as well as tourist and recreational activities.
   This cushioning zone in Minorca corresponds to the demarcation of the " Áreas Naturales de Especial Interés (ANEIs) (nature areas of special interest), which stem from the "Ley de espacios naturales de Baleares" (the law of nature areas in the Balearic Islands). This zone comprises approximately 41% of the insular territory.
   
   
3. The transition zone:
   this is the territory that focuses on the function of supporting the socio-economic development of the Reserve and covers all the rest of the insular territory.

Nature Reserve of s'Albufera d'Es Grau, Illa d'en Colom and Cap de Favàritx
This nature reserve is situated in the municipal area of Maó. It covers an area of 1,947 hectares, of which 72 make up the lagoon and to this one must add the flood area known as Es Prat. There are various ponds and the notable ones are Morella and Sa Torreta. Here you will also find the isla de En Colom, an islet which has a surface area of 60 hectares.

All the area that covers the Es Grau lagoon is of great environmental wealth. A wide variety of bio-types are concentrated here as well as some of the most important prehistoric monuments preserved on the island.

With regard to the park's flora, the most widespread is the Minorcan bush or sea bush. Whilst at Favàritx and the Island of Colom, the coastal bush is predominant, in the rest of the park the wild-olive grows. In areas closest to the coast, the largest number of species exclusive to Minorca are concentrated, such as buckthorn and saffron.

In the wetlands of the lagoon, there is an abundance of underwater plants and the most notable are the giant reed and rushes.

In the streams that pour water into the lagoon, one can find reed mace and elms. This vegetation also proliferates in the ponds.

The forest mass of the park is dominated by pinewoods of the Aleppo pine and small woods of tamarisk and oak. The couch-grass, sea daffodils and dog-rue, which is endemic, grow on the beaches and the dunes, whilst in farming areas, fodder for livestock is grown.

The fauna of the park is made up of blue rock-thrushes, rock doves and peregrines. These birds are to be found in abundance in areas close to the sea. In the wetlands there are a large number of aquatic birds who spend winter in this area such as the wigean, the pochard and the cormorant. There are also species to be found all year round, such as, for example, the mallard, the coot and the little grebe.

It is common to see frogs and toads in the ponds. Fish around in the lagoon include eels, gambusias and the springer great mullet. Finally, in the area of the park dominated by forest mass one finds the garden dormouse and the common turtle dove.

The lagoon is also home to some archaeological remains of interest that date back to different eras of Minorcan culture. Among these are vestiges of the Talayotic culture in the Sa Torreta farm-house. Next to this settlement there is a medieval defence tower and another one close by that dates back to the 18th century.

The park also includes part of the Camí de Cavalls (bridle path) which is an old path that goes all around the island. One can take advantage of it to go the most interesting points of this magnificent nature reserve.