Editing Pyrenees

{{Short description|Range of mountains in southwest Europe}}
{{other uses}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = The Pyrenees Mountains
| other_name = {{langx|es|Pirineos}}<br />{{langx|fr|Pyrénées}}<br />{{langx|ca|Pirineus}}<br />{{langx|an|Pirineus}}<br />{{langx|oc|Pirenèus}}<br />{{langx|eu|Pirinioak, Auñamendiak}}
| etymology = Named for [[Pyrene (daughter of Bebryx)|Pyrene]]
| photo = Central pyrenees.jpg
| photo_caption = Central Pyrenees
| country = {{hlist|[[Spain]]|[[France]]|[[Andorra]]}}
| geology = {{hlist|[[Granite]]|[[gneiss]]|[[limestone]]}}
| age = {{hlist|[[Paleozoic]]|[[Mesozoic]]}}
| area_km2 = 55000
| length_km = 491
| length_orientation = 
| width_km = 
| width_orientation = 
| highest = [[Aneto]]
| elevation_m = 3404
| range_coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q12431|region:ES|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|42|37|56|N|00|39|28|E|region:ES_type:mountain|display=inline}}
| map_image = Pyrenees topographic map-en.svg
| map_caption = Topographic map
}}

The '''Pyrenees'''{{efn|({{IPAc-en|UK|ˌ|p|ɪr|ə|ˈ|n|iː|z}} {{respell|PIRR|ə|NEEZ}}, {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|p|ɪr|ə|ˌ|n|iː|z}} {{respell|PIRR|ə|neez}}; {{langx|es|Pirineos}} {{IPA|es|piɾiˈneos|}}; {{langx|fr|Pyrénées}} {{IPA|fr|piʁene||LL-Q150 (fra)-Anonymât (Kvardek du)-Pyrénées.wav}}; {{langx|ca|Pirineus}} {{IPA|ca|piɾiˈnɛws|}}; {{langx|eu|Pirinioak}} {{IPA|eu|piɾini.o.ak|}}; {{langx|oc|Pirenèus}} {{IPA|oc|piɾeˈnɛws|}}; {{langx|an|Pirineus}})}} are a mountain range straddling the border of [[France]] and [[Spain]]. They extend nearly {{cvt|500|km|mi|-1}} from their union with the [[Cantabrian Mountains]] to [[Cap de Creus]] on the [[Mediterranean]] coast, reaching a maximum elevation of {{convert|3404|m|ft|0}} at the peak of [[Aneto]].<ref>Barnolas, A. y Pujalte, V. (2004). «La Cordillera Pirenaica». Vera Torres, J. A. (ed.), ed. Geología de España. Sociedad Geológica de España e Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. pp. 231–343. {{ISBN|84-7840-546-1}}.</ref>

For the most part, the main crest forms a divide between Spain and France, with the [[microstate]] of [[Andorra]] sandwiched in between. Historically, the [[Crown of Aragon]] and the [[Kingdom of Navarre]] extended on both sides of the mountain range.<ref>Preamble of the [http://www.cg66.fr/culture/patrimoine_catalanite/catalanite/charte_catalan.pdf "Charter of the Catalan Language"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325232934/http://www.cg66.fr/culture/patrimoine_catalanite/catalanite/charte_catalan.pdf |date=25 March 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |year=1995 |title=Collins Road Atlas of Europe |publisher=Harper Collins |location=London |pages=28–29 |isbn=0-00-448148-8 }}</ref>

== Etymology ==
In [[Greek mythology]], [[Pyrene (daughter of Bebryx)|Pyrene]] is a princess who [[eponym|gave her name]] to the Pyrenees. The [[Greek historian]] [[Herodotus]] says Pyrene is the name of a town in [[Celtic Europe]].<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Hdt.%202.33&lang=original 2.33.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404221340/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Hdt.%202.33&lang=original |date=4 April 2012 }}</ref> According to [[Silius Italicus]],<ref>[[Silius Italicus]], ''Punica'' 3.415–441.</ref> she was the virgin daughter of [[Bebryx]], a king in [[Narbonensis|Mediterranean Gaul]] by whom the hero [[Hercules]] was given [[hospitality]] during his [[quest]] to steal the cattle of [[Geryon]]{{efn|Although [[Geryon]] was usually located in the mythical west of the setting sun, he was also associated with [[Iberia]]; according to [[Strabo]], his triple-body was preserved at [[Cadiz]] in the form of a tree.}} during his famous [[Labours of Hercules|Labours]]. Hercules, characteristically drunk and lustful, violates the sacred code of hospitality and rapes his host's daughter. Pyrene gives birth to a serpent and runs away to the woods, afraid that her father will be angry. Alone, she pours out her story to the trees, attracting the attention of wild beasts who tear her to pieces.

After his victory over Geryon, Hercules passes through the kingdom of Bebryx again, finding the girl's lacerated remains. As is often the case in stories of this hero, the sober Hercules responds with heartbroken grief and remorse at the actions of his darker self, and lays Pyrene to rest tenderly, demanding that the surrounding geography join in mourning and preserve her name:<ref>Ben Tipping, ''Exemplary Epic: Silius Italicus' Punica'' (Oxford University Press, 2010), pp. 20–21 [https://books.google.com/books?id=d7asVuCBugAC&dq=pyrene+geryon&pg=PA20 online.]</ref> "struck by Herculean voice, the mountaintops shudder at the ridges; he kept crying out with a sorrowful noise 'Pyrene!' and all the rock-cliffs and wild-beast haunts echo back 'Pyrene!' ... The mountains hold on to the wept-over name through the ages." [[Pliny the Elder]] connects the story of Hercules and Pyrene to [[Lusitania]], but rejects it as ''fabulosa'', highly fictional.<ref>[[Pliny the Elder]], ''Natural History'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.02.0137:book=3:chapter=3&highlight=pyrene 3.3.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014054043/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.02.0137:book=3:chapter=3&highlight=pyrene |date=14 October 2012 }}</ref>

Other classical sources derived the name from the Greek word for fire, {{langx|grc|πῦρ}} (IPA: {{IPA|/pŷːr/}}).<ref>Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854)
William Smith, LLD, Ed.[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0064:entry=pyrenaei-montes-geo]
</ref> According to Greek historian [[Diodorus Siculus]] "in ancient times, we are told, certain herdsmen left a fire and the whole area of the mountains was entirely consumed; and due to this fire, since it raged continuously day after day, the surface of the earth was also burned and the mountains, because of what had taken place, were called the Pyrenees."<ref>[[Diodorus Siculus]], ''The Library of History'' Vol III, 35 [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/5B*.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817212712/https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/5B%2A.html |date=2023-08-17 }}</ref>

== Geography ==

=== Political divisions ===
The '''Spanish Pyrenees''' are part of the following [[Provinces of Spain|provinces]], from east to west: [[Girona Province|Girona]], [[Barcelona Province (Spain)|Barcelona]], [[Lleida Province|Lleida]] (all in [[Catalonia]]), [[Huesca Province|Huesca]] (in [[Aragon]]), [[Navarra]] (in [[Navarre]]) and [[Gipuzkoa]] (in the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]]).

The '''French Pyrenees''' are part of the following ''[[département]]s'', from east to west: [[Pyrénées-Orientales]] (also known as [[Northern Catalonia]]), [[Aude]], [[Ariège (department)|Ariège]], [[Haute-Garonne]], [[Hautes-Pyrénées]], and [[Pyrénées-Atlantiques]] (the latter two of which include the [[Pyrenees National Park]]).

The independent principality of [[Andorra]] is sandwiched in the eastern portion of the mountain range between the [[Spanish Pyrenees]] and [[French Pyrenees]].

[[File:Pyrenees composite NASA.jpg|frame|center|Composite satellite image of the Pyrenees ([[NASA]])]]
[[File:Aneto 01.jpg|thumb|[[Pico de Aneto]], the highest mountain of the Pyrenees, [[Aragon]] ([[Spain]])]]
[[File:Pic de Bugatet.jpg|thumb|[[Pic de Bugatet]] in the [[Néouvielle massif]]]]
[[File:Pedraforca.jpg|thumb|[[Pedraforca]], Catalonia (Spain)]]
[[File:El Turbó..jpg|thumb|left|[[El Turbón]], 2,492 m ([[Aragon]])]]
[[File:Baretous piemont Pyreneen.jpg|thumb|Baretous Valley and Piedmont plain, in the French western Pyrénées]]
[[File:Gavarnie-Cirque.JPG|thumb|[[Cirque de Gavarnie]] with its 422 metre high waterfall, [[Occitania (administrative region)|Occitanie]] (France)]]
[[File:San Mauricio lake.jpg|thumb|Sant Maurici lake in the [[Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park]], Catalonia (Spain)]]

=== Physiographical divisions ===
[[File:Monteperdido y Cilindro.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Monte Perdido]], [[Aragon]] (Spain)]]
[[Physical geography|Physiographically]], the Pyrenees may be divided into three sections: the Atlantic (or Western), the Central, and the Eastern Pyrenees. Together, they form a distinct physiographic province of the larger Alpine System division.

In the Western Pyrenees, from the [[Basque mountains]] near the [[Bay of Biscay]] of the Atlantic Ocean, the average elevation gradually increases from west to east.

The Central Pyrenees extend eastward from the [[Somport]] pass to the [[Aran Valley]], and they include the highest summits of this range:<ref name=EB1911/>
* [[Pico de Aneto]] {{convert|3404|m|ft|0}} in the Maladeta ridge,<ref name=EB1911/>
* [[Pico Posets]] {{convert|3375|m|ft|0}},<ref name=EB1911/>
* [[Monte Perdido]] {{convert|3355|m|ft|0}}.<ref name=EB1911/>

In the Eastern Pyrenees, with the exception of one break at the eastern extremity of the ''Pyrénées Ariégeoises'' in the [[Ariège (department)|Ariège]] area, the mean elevation is remarkably uniform until a sudden decline occurs in the easternmost portion of the chain known as the [[Albères]].<ref name=EB1911/>

==== Foothills ====
{{main|Pre-Pyrenees}}
Most [[foothill]]s of the Pyrenees are on the Spanish side, where there is a large and complex system of ranges stretching from Spanish [[Navarre]], across northern Aragon and into Catalonia, almost reaching the [[Mediterranean]] coast with summits reaching {{cvt|2600|m}}.<ref>[http://www10.gencat.net/probert/catala/prop_lleure/pdf/pirineusprepirineus.pdf Pirineus-Prepirineus] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723144756/http://www10.gencat.net/probert/catala/prop_lleure/pdf/pirineusprepirineus.pdf |date=23 July 2008 }}</ref> At the eastern end on the southern side lies a distinct area known as the [[Sub-Pyrenees]].<ref>Jordi Sacasas i Lluís, ''Geografia de Catalunya'', Publicacions L'Abadia de Montserrat. {{ISBN|978-84-8415-915-5 }}</ref>

On the French side the slopes of the main range descend abruptly and there are no foothills except in the [[Corbières Massif]] in the northeastern corner of the mountain system.<ref>Christophe Neff : ''Les Corbières maritimes – forment-elles un étage de végétation méditerranéenne thermophile masqué par la pression humaine ?'' In: Eric Fouache (Edit.): ''The Mediterranean World Environment and History. IAG Working Group on Geo-archeology, Symposium Proceedings. Environmental Dynamics and History in Mediterranean Areas, Paris, Université de Paris – Sorbonne 24 – 26 avril 2002''. Paris, 2003, 191 – 202, (Elsevier France, {{ISBN|2-84299-452-3}}).</ref>

== Geology ==
{{See also|Geology of the Pyrenees}}

The Pyrenees are older than the [[Alps]]: their [[sediment]]s were first deposited in coastal basins during the [[Paleozoic]] and [[Mesozoic]] eras. During [[Ediacaran]] to [[Ordovician]] times, Pyrenees were located at the Northwest margin of [[Gondwana]], where they formed a lateral continuity of neighbouring areas, such as the [[Montagne Noire]] and the [[Mouthoumet]] massifs and Southwestern territory of [[Sardinia]].<ref name=maxime2022>{{cite journal |author1=Padel Maxime |author2=Sébastien Clausen |author3=Marc Poujol |author4=José-Javier Alvaro |year=2022 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364935999 |title=Shifts in the Ediacaran to Lower Ordovician sedimentary zircon provenances of Northwest Gondwana: the Pyrenean files |journal=Geologica Acta |volume=20 |issue=14 |page=2 |doi=10.1344/GeologicaActa2022.20.14 |bibcode=2022GeolA..20...14P |language=en |hdl=20.500.12210/78094 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Between 100 and 150&nbsp;million years ago, during the Early [[Cretaceous]] Period, the [[Bay of Biscay]] [[Seafloor spreading|fanned out]], pushing present-day Spain against France and applying intense [[Compression (geology)|compressional pressure]] to large layers of [[sedimentary rock]]. The intense pressure and uplifting of the Earth's crust first affected the eastern part and moved progressively to the entire chain, culminating in the [[Eocene]] Epoch.

The eastern part of the Pyrenees consists largely of [[granite]] and [[gneiss]]ose rocks, while in the western part the granite peaks are flanked by layers of [[limestone]]. The massive and unworn character of the chain comes from its abundance of granite, which is particularly resistant to [[erosion]], as well as weak [[glacial]] development.

The upper parts of the Pyrenees contain low-relief surfaces forming a [[peneplain]]. This peneplain originated no earlier than in [[Miocene|Late Miocene]] times. Presumably it formed at height as extensive sedimentation raised the local [[base level]] considerably.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Babault |first1=Julien |last2=Van Den Driessche |first2=Jean |last3=Bonnet |first3=Stephanie |last4=Castelltort |first4=Sébastien |last5=Crave |first5=Alain |date=2005 |title=Origin of the highly elevated Pyrenean peneplain |url=https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:20401/ATTACHMENT01 |journal=Tectonics |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=n/a |doi=10.1029/2004TC001697 |bibcode=2005Tecto..24.2010B |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Landscape ==
Conspicuous features of Pyrenean scenery are:
* the absence of great lakes, such as those that fill the lateral valleys of the Alps<ref name=EB1911/>
* the rarity and relative high elevation of usable [[Mountain pass|passes]]<ref name=EB1911/>
* the large number of the mountain torrents locally called ''[[Gave (stem)|gaves]]'', which often form lofty [[waterfall]]s, surpassed in Europe only by those of [[Scandinavia]]<ref name=EB1911/>
* the frequency with which the upper end of a valley assumes the form of a semicircle of precipitous cliffs, called a [[cirque]].<ref name=EB1911/>

The highest [[waterfall]] is [[Gavarnie Falls|Gavarnie]] (462&nbsp;m or 1,515&nbsp;ft), at the head of the [[Gave de Pau]]; the [[Cirque de Gavarnie]], in the same valley,<ref name=EB1911/> together with the nearby Cirque de Troumouse and [[Cirque d'Estaubé]], are notable examples of the [[cirque]] formation.

Low passes are lacking, and the principal roads and the railroads between France and Spain run only in the lowlands at the western and eastern ends of the Pyrenees, near sea level. The main passes of note are:
* [[Col de la Perche]] ({{cvt|1581|m}}), towards the east, between the valley of the [[Têt River|Têt]] and the valley of the [[river Segre|Segre]],
* [[Col de Puymorens]] ({{cvt|1920|m}}), on [[European route E09]] between France and Spain.
* The nearby [[Pas de la Casa|Pas de la Casa or Port d'Envalira]], the highest road pass in the Pyrenees at {{cvt|2408|m}}, and one of the highest points of the European road network, which provides the route from France to Andorra,
* The [[Port de la Bonaigua]] ({{cvt|2070|m}}), in the middle of the range at the head of the Aran Valley.
* Plan de Beret ({{cvt|1870|m}})
* [[Col du Pourtalet]] ({{cvt|1794|m}}).
* The Col de [[Somport]] or Port de Canfranc ({{cvt|1632|m}}), where there were old [[Roman road]]s.
* [[Col de la Pierre St Martin]] ({{cvt|1766|m}})
* [[Puerto de Larrau]] ({{cvt|1578|m}})
* The [[Roncevaux Pass]] ({{cvt|1057|m}}), entirely in [[Navarre]] (Spain) is an important point on the [[Camino de Santiago]] pilgrimage route.
Because of the lack of low passes a number of tunnels have been created, beneath the passes at Somport, Envalira, and Puymorens and new routes in the center of the range at [[Bielsa]] and [[Vielha Tunnel|Vielha]].

A notable visual feature of this [[mountain range]] is [[La Brèche de Roland]], a gap in the ridge line, which{{spaced ndash}}according to legend{{spaced ndash}}was created by [[Roland]].

[[File:Ibón.JPG|thumb|Ibón (glacial lake) Basa Mora, in Gistain valley, [[Aragon]].]]
[[File:Estany de Llauset.jpg|thumb|Llauset lake, [[Aragon]]]]

== Natural resources ==
The metallic [[ore]]s of the Pyrenees are not in general of much importance now{{when|date=April 2025}}, though there were [[iron]] mines at several locations in [[Geography of Andorra#Natural resources|Andorra]], as well as at [[Vicdessos]] in Ariège, and the foot of [[Canigó]] in [[Pyrénées-Orientales]] long ago.{{when|date=April 2025}} [[Coal]] deposits capable of being profitably worked are situated chiefly on the Spanish slopes, but the French side has beds of [[lignite]].<ref name=EB1911/> The open pit of Trimoun near the commune of [[Luzenac]] (Ariège) is one of the greatest sources of [[talc]] in Europe.

[[File:Marbres des Pyrenees.jpg|thumb|left|Various samples of Pyrenean marbles]]
There are many marble quarries in the Pyrenees, most of which were opened by the Romans in ancient times. Quarried intermittently, they provided prestigious marbles such as [[Grand Antique marble|Grand Antique]] (used in Rome and Constantinople by the Romans), statuary white marbles as well as coloured marbles used to decorate the royal palaces of the Louvre and Versailles in France and the Royal Palace of Madrid in Spain.<ref>Pascal Julien, ''Marbres, de carrières en palais'' (Marbles, from quarries to palaces), ''Le Bec en l'air'' editor, 2006.</ref><ref>María Luisa Tárraga Baldó, [https://journals.openedition.org/crcv/11988?lang=en Marble in the Palace of Madrid's decoration: Origins and impacts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302102842/https://journals.openedition.org/crcv/11988?lang=en |date=2024-03-02 }}, ''Bulletin du Centre de recherche du château de Versailles'' (Bulletin of the Research Centre of the Château de Versailles), 2013.</ref>

[[Mineral spring]]s are abundant and remarkable, and especially noteworthy are the [[hot spring]]s. The hot springs, among which those of [[Les Escaldes]] in Andorra, [[Panticosa]] and [[Lles de Cerdanya|Lles]] in Spain, [[Ax-les-Thermes]], [[Bagnères-de-Luchon]] and [[Eaux-Chaudes]] in France may be mentioned, are [[sulfur]]ous and mostly situated high, near the contact of the granite with the stratified rocks. The lower springs, such as those of [[Bagnères-de-Bigorre]] ([[Hautes-Pyrénées]]), [[Rennes-les-Bains]] ([[Aude]]), and [[Campagne-sur-Aude]] (Aude), are mostly selenitic and not hot.<ref name=EB1911/>

== Climate ==
The amount of [[precipitation]] the range receives, including rain and snow, is much greater in the western than in the eastern Pyrenees<ref name=EB1911/> because of the moist air that blows in from the Atlantic Ocean over the [[Bay of Biscay]]. After dropping its moisture over the western and central Pyrenees, the air is left dry over the eastern Pyrenees. The winter average temperature is {{cvt|-2|°C}}.

Sections of the mountain range vary in more than one respect. There are some [[glacier]]s in the western and snowy central Pyrenees, but there are no glaciers in the eastern Pyrenees because there is insufficient snowfall to cause their development. Glaciers are confined to the northern slopes of the central Pyrenees, and do not descend, like those of the Alps, far down into the valleys but rather have their greatest lengths along the direction of the mountain chain. They form, in fact, in a narrow zone near the crest of the highest mountains. Here, as in the other great mountain ranges of central Europe, there is substantial evidence of a much wider expanse of glaciation during the [[glacial period]]s. The best evidence of this is in the valley of Argeles Gazost, between Lourdes and Gavarnie, in the ''{{lang|fr|département}}'' of Hautes-Pyrénées.<ref name=EB1911/>

The annual snow-line varies in different parts of the Pyrenees from about {{convert|2700|to|2800|m}} above sea level.<ref name=EB1911/> In average the seasonal snow is observed at least 50% of the time above {{convert|1600|m}} between December and April.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gascoin |first1=S. |last2=Hagolle |first2=O. |last3=Huc |first3=M. |last4=Jarlan |first4=L. |last5=Dejoux |first5=J.F. |last6=Szczypta |first6=C. |last7=Marti |first7=R. |last8=Sánchez |first8=R. |title=A snow cover climatology for the Pyrenees from MODIS snow products |journal=Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |date=2015 |volume=19 |issue=5 |pages=2337–2351 |doi=10.5194/hess-19-2337-2015 |bibcode=2015HESS...19.2337G |url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/19/2337/2015/hess-19-2337-2015.html |access-date=29 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529112043/http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/19/2337/2015/hess-19-2337-2015.html |archive-date=29 May 2015 |url-status=live |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Flora and fauna ==

=== Flora ===
{{Main category|Flora of the Pyrenees}}
{{main|Pyrenees conifer and mixed forests}}
{{See also|Forests of the Iberian Peninsula#The Eurosiberian region|l1=Forests of the Iberian Peninsula - Eurosiberian region}}
[[File:Cascada aigualluts.jpg|thumb|Aigualluts cascade in Benasque Valley, [[Aragon]] (Spain)]]
A still more marked effect of the preponderance of rainfall in the western half of the chain is seen in the vegetation. The lower mountains in the extreme west are wooded, but the extent of forest declines as one moves eastwards. The eastern Pyrenees are peculiarly wild and barren, all the more since it is in this part of the chain that granitic masses prevail. Also moving from west to east, there is a change in the composition of the flora, with the change becoming most evident as one passes the centre of the mountain chain from which point the [[Corbières Massif]] stretch north-eastwards towards the central plateau of France. Though the difference in latitude is only about 1°, in the west the flora resembles that of central Europe while in the east it is distinctly Mediterranean in character. The Pyrenees are nearly as rich in [[endemic]] species as the Alps, and among the most remarkable instances of that [[endemism]] is the occurrence of the monotypic genus ''[[Xatardia]]'' (family [[Apiaceae]]), which grows only on a high alpine pass between the Val d'Eynes and [[Catalonia]]. Other examples include ''[[Arenaria montana]]'', ''[[Bulbocodium vernum]]'', and ''[[Ranunculus glacialis]]''. The genus most abundantly represented in the range is that of the [[saxifrage]]s, several species of which are endemic here.<ref name=EB1911/>

=== Fauna ===
In their [[fauna]] the Pyrenees present some striking instances of [[endemism]]. The [[Pyrenean desman]] is found only in some of the streams of the northern slopes of these mountains; the only other [[desman]], the [[Russian desman]], is confined to the [[Volga]] river basin in southern Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The [[Pyrenean brook salamander]] (''Calotriton asper''), an endemic amphibian, also lives in streams and lakes located at high altitudes. Among other peculiarities of Pyrenean fauna are blind insects in the [[cave]]rns of Ariège, the principal genera of which are ''[[Anophthalmus]]'' and ''Adelops''.<ref name=EB1911>{{EB1911 |wstitle=Pyrenees|inline=1 }}</ref>

The [[Pyrenean ibex]], an endemic subspecies of the [[Iberian ibex]], became extinct in January 2000; another subspecies, the [[western Spanish ibex]], was introduced into the area, with the population numbering over 400 individuals as of 2020. The native [[brown bear]] population was hunted to near-extinction in the 1990s, but its numbers rebounded in 1996 when three bears were brought from [[Slovenia]]. The bear population has bred successfully, and there are now believed to be about 15 brown bears in the central region around [[Fos, Haute-Garonne|Fos]], with only four native ones still living in the [[Aspe Valley]].

== Protected areas ==
[[File:20080824-Ibón de Barrancs.jpg|thumb|Ibón de Barrancs ([[glacial lake]]) in Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, [[Aragon]] (Spain)]]
Principal nature reserves and national parks:
* [[Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park]] (Spain)
* [[Pyrénées National Park]] (France)
* [[Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park]] (Spain)
* [[Posets-Maladeta Natural Park]] (Spain)

In 1997, part of the Pyrenees (including Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park and Pyrenees National Park) was inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] for its spectacular geologic landforms and testimony to the unique "[[transhumance]]" agricultural system.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web |url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/773 |title=Pyrénées - Mont Perdu |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher=United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711122819/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/773 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Demographics and culture ==
[[File:Bovins estive Pic du Midi Ossau.jpg|thumb|Some [[Blonde d'Aquitaine]] on summer pasture near the [[Pic du Midi d'Ossau]]]]
The Pyrenean region possesses a varied ethnology, [[folklore]] and history: see [[Andorra]]; [[Aragon]]; [[Ariège (department)|Ariège]]; [[Basque Country (historical territory)|Basque Country]]; [[Béarn]]; [[Catalonia]]; [[Navarre]]; [[Roussillon]]. For their history, see also [[Almogavars]], [[Marca Hispanica]].

The principal languages spoken in the area are Spanish, French, [[Aragonese language|Aragonese]], [[Catalan language|Catalan]] (in [[Andorra]] and in [[Northern Catalonia|Northern]] and [[Southern Catalonia]]), and [[Basque language|Basque]]. Also spoken, to a lesser degree, is the [[Occitan language]], consisting of the [[Gascon language|Gascon]] and [[Languedocien]] dialects in France and the [[Aranese]] dialect in the [[Aran Valley]].

An important feature of rural life in the Pyrenees is '[[transhumance]]', the moving of livestock from the farms in the valleys up to the higher grounds of the mountains for the summer.<ref name=ariegecom>{{cite web |url=http://www.ariege.com/en/discover-ariege/agro-pastoralism/the-transhumance |title=The Transhumance |publisher=Ariege.com |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-date=3 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103003130/https://www.ariege.com/en/discover-ariege/agro-pastoralism/the-transhumance |url-status=live }}</ref> In this way the farming communities could keep larger herds than the lowland farms could support on their own. The principal animals moved were [[cows]] and [[sheep]], but historically most members of farming families also moved to the higher pastures along with their animals, so they also took with them [[pigs]], [[horses]]<ref name=chevalEnPyrenees>{{cite web |url=http://www.cheval-en-pyrenees.com/EN/rando-11.html |title=The traditional transhumance of pyrenean horses |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207175134/http://www.cheval-en-pyrenees.com/EN/rando-11.html |archive-date=7 February 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[chickens]].<ref name=ariegecom/> Transhumance thus took the form of a mass biannual migration, moving uphill in May or June<ref name=guide2midipyrenees>{{cite web |url=http://www.guide2midipyrenees.com/information/10939/Transhumance--in--the--Midi-Pyrenees--region--of--south--west--France |title=Transhumance in the Midi-Pyrenees region of south west France |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008013739/http://www.guide2midipyrenees.com/information/10939/Transhumance--in--the--Midi-Pyrenees--region--of--south--west--France |archive-date=8 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and returning to the farms in September or October. During the summer period, the families would live in basic stone cabins<ref name=ariegecom/> in the high mountains.

Nowadays, industrialisation and changing agriculture practices have diminished the custom. However, the importance of transhumance continues to be recognised through its celebration in popular festivals.<ref name=chevalEnPyrenees/><ref name=guide2midipyrenees/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2014/06/05/1894535-transhumances-un-peu-de-civisme-svp.html |title=Transhumances dans les Hautes-Pyrénées : un peu de civisme, SVP ! |language=fr |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007042103/http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2014/06/05/1894535-transhumances-un-peu-de-civisme-svp.html |archive-date=7 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Scientific facilities==
===Pic du Midi Observatory===
[[File:Picdumidi.jpg|thumb|The observatory on the [[Pic du Midi de Bigorre]].]]
The [[Pic du Midi de Bigorre|Pic du Midi Observatory]] is an astronomical observatory located at 2877 metres on top of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre in the French Pyrenees. Construction of the observatory began in 1878 and the 8-metre dome was completed in 1908.

The observatory housed a powerful mechanical equatorial reflector which was used in 1909 to formally discredit the Martian canal theory. A {{Convert|1.06|m|in|adj=on}} telescope was installed in 1963, funded by [[NASA]] and was used to take detailed photographs of the surface of the Moon in preparation for the Apollo missions. Other studies conducted in 1965 provided a detailed analysis of the composition of the atmospheres on Mars and Venus, this served as a basis for [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] scientists to predict that these planets had no life.

Since 1980, the observatory has had a 2-metre telescope, which is the largest telescope in France. Overtaken by the giant telescopes built in recent decades, today the observatory is widely open to amateur astronomy.

===Odeillo solar furnace===
[[File:Four_solaire_001.jpg|thumb|[[Odeillo solar furnace]].]]
The [[Odeillo solar furnace]] is the world's largest solar furnace. It is situated in Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via, in the department of [[Pyrénées-Orientales]], in south of France. Built between 1962 and 1968, it is {{Convert|54|m|ft}} and {{Convert|48|m|ft}} wide, and includes 63 heliostats. The site was chosen because of the length and the quality of sunshine with direct light (more than 2,500 h/year) and the purity of its atmosphere (high elevation and low average humidity).

This furnace serves as a science research site studying materials at very high temperatures. Temperatures above {{convert|3500|C|F}} can be obtained in a few seconds; in addition, it provides rapid temperature changes and therefore allows studying the effect of thermal shocks.

{{clear}}

==Urban areas==
[[File:Toulouse - vue sur les Pyrénées.jpg|thumb|250px|The Pyrenees mountain range seen from Toulouse.]]
No big cities are in the range itself. The largest urban area close to the Pyrenees is [[Toulouse]] ([[Haute-Garonne]]), [[France]] with a population of 1,330,954 in its metropolitan area. On the Spanish side [[Pamplona]] ([[Navarre]]) is the closest city, with a population of 319,208 in its metropolitan area. Inside the Pyrenees the main towns are [[Andorra la Vella]] (22,256) and [[Escaldes-Engordany]] (14,367) in Andorra, [[Jaca]] (12,813), [[La Seu d'Urgell]] (12,252) and [[Ripoll]] (10,773) in Spain, and [[Lourdes]] (13,976), [[Saint-Gaudens, Haute-Garonne|Saint-Gaudens]] (11,869) and [[Foix]] (10,046) in France.

{{clear}}

== Highest summits ==
{{main|List of Pyrenean three-thousanders}}
The following is the complete list of the summits of the Pyrenees above 3,000 metres:
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
# [[Aneto]] (3,404&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Posets peak|Posets]] (3,375&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Monte Perdido]] (3,355&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Punta de Astorg]] (3,355&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pico Maldito]] (3,350&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Espalda del Aneto]] (3,350&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pico del Medio]] (3,346&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Espadas Peak]] (3,332&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Cilindro de Marboré]] (3,325&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Maladeta]] (3,312&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Vignemale]] (3,298&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pico Coronas]] (3,293&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pico Tempestades]] (3,290&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Clot de la Hount]] (3,289&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Soum de Ramond]] (3,259&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[1st Western Peak Maladeta]] (3,254&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic de Marboré]] (3,252&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Cerbillona]] (3,247&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Perdiguero]] (3,221&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[2nd Western Peak Maladeta]] (3,220&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic de Montferrat]] (3,219&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pico Russell]] (3,205&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pointe Chausenque]] (3,204&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Piton Carré]] (3,197&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pic Long]] (3,192&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[3rd Western Peak Maladeta]] (3,185&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic Schrader]] (3,177&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Campbieil]] (3,173&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pic de la cascade oriental]] (3,161&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Les Jumeaux Ravier]] (3,160&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Grand Tapou]] (3,160&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic Badet]] (3,150&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Balaïtous]] (3,144&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic du Taillon]] (3,144&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pica d'Estats]] (3,143&nbsp;m) (Catalonia-France)
# [[Punta del Sabre]] (3,136&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Diente de Alba]] (3,136&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic de la Munia]] (3,134&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pointe de Literole]] (3,132&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic Verdaguer]] (3,131&nbsp;m) (Catalonia-France)
# [[Pic du Milieu]] (3,130&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic des Gourgs Blancs]] (3,129&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Les Veterans]] (3,125&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pico Pavots]] (3,121&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic de Royo]] (3,121&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Punta Ledormeur]] (3,120&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pico Alba]] (3,118&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic des Crabioules]] (3,116&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Seil Dera Baquo]] (3,110&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic de Maupas]] (3,109&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic Lézat]] (3,107&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Western Crabioules]] (3,106&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pico Brulle]] (3,106&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic de la cascade occidental]] (3,095&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic de Néouvielle]] (3,091&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Serre Mourene]] (3,090&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic de Troumouse]] (3,085&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pico Posets]] (3,085&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Infierno central]] (3,083&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pics d'Enfer]] (3,082&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pico de Bardamina]] (3,079&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic de la Paul]] (3,078&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic de Montcalm]] (3,077&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Infierno oriental]] (3,076&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic Maou]] (3,074&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Infierno occidental]] (3,073&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Épaule du Marboré]] (3,073&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic du port de Sullo]] (3,072&nbsp;m) (Catalonia-France)
# [[Frondella NE]] (3,071&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Grand pic d' Astazou]] (3,071&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pico de Vallibierna]] (3,067&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pico Marcos Feliu]] (3,067&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic des Spijeoles]] (3,066&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pico Jean Arlaud]] (3,065&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Tuca de Culebras]] (3,062&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Grand Quayrat]] (3,060&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pic Maubic]] (3,058&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pico Gran Eriste]] (3,053&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Garmo negro]] (3,051&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic du Portillon]] (3,050&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pico Argualas]] (3,046&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Baudrimont NW]] (3,045&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic de Eristé sur]] (3,045&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic Camboue]] (3,043&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Trois Conseillers]] (3,039&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pico Aragüells]] (3,037&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pico Algas]] (3,036&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Turon de Néouvielle]] (3,035&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pic de Batoua]] (3,034&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Gabietou occidental]] (3,034&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Comaloforno]] (3,033&nbsp;m) (Catalonia)
# [[Petit Vignemale]] (3,032&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Gabietou oriental]] (3,031&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic de Bugarret]] (3,031&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[South Besiberri Massif]] (3,030&nbsp;m) (Catalonia)
# [[Pic de l'Abeille]] (3,029&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Baudrimont SE]] (3,026&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic Béraldi]] (3,025&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pico de la Pez]] (3,024&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic de Lustou]] (3,023&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pic Heid]] (3,022&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pic de Crabounouse]] (3,021&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pico de Clarabide]] (3,020&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pico del puerto de la pez]] (3,018&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Dent d'Estibère male]] (3,017&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[North Besiberri Massif]] (3,014&nbsp;m) (Catalonia)
# [[Punta Alta Massif]] (3,014&nbsp;m) (Catalonia)
# [[Petit Astazou]] (3,012&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic Ramougn]] (3,011&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pico de Gias]] (3,011&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Tuc de Molières]] (3,010&nbsp;m) (Catalonia-Aragon)
# [[Tour du Marboré]] (3,009&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pic Belloc]] (3,008&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pic Forqueta]] (3,007&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic d'Estaragne]] (3,006&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Pico de Boum]] (3,006&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Casque du Marboré]] (3,006&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Arnales]] (3,006&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Grande Fache]] (3,005&nbsp;m) (Aragon-France)
# [[Pico Robiñera]] (3,005&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Pic de Saint Saud]] (3,003&nbsp;m) (France)
# [[Middle Besiberri S]] (3,003&nbsp;m) (Catalonia)
# [[Middle Besiberri N]] (3,002&nbsp;m) (Catalonia)
# [[Pointe Célestin Passet]] (3,002&nbsp;m) (Catalonia)
# [[Punta de las Olas]] (3,002&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
# [[Frondella SW]] (3,001&nbsp;m) (Aragon)
{{div col end}}

=== Notable summits below 3,000 metres ===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140px">
File:Gentau Pic du Midi Ossau.jpg|Pic du Midi d'Ossau reflected in the [[lac Gentau]]
File:Lac Ansabere01-Aspe-4643~2015 07 28.JPG|Aiguilles d'Ansabère and Mesa de los Tres Reyes reflected in the [[lake of Ansabère]]
File:Gavarnie recti small Wikimedia Commons.jpg|[[Cirque de Gavarnie|Gavarnie]]
File:Toulouse - Vue sur les Pyrénées.jpg|[[Mont Valier]]
</gallery>

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Pic de Palas]] (2,974&nbsp;m)
* [[Coma Pedrosa|Pic de Comapedrosa]] (2,942&nbsp;m) - highest point of [[Andorra]]
* [[Pic Carlit]] (2,921&nbsp;m)
* [[Puigmal]] (2,913&nbsp;m)
* [[Cotiella]] (2,912&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic de Sanfonts]] (2,894&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic d'Envalira]] (2,827&nbsp;m)
* [[Collarada]] (2,886&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic du Midi d'Ossau]] (2,885&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic du Midi de Bigorre]] (2,876&nbsp;m)
* [[Mont Valier]] (2,838&nbsp;m)
* [[Petit Pic du Midi d'Ossau]] (2,812&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic du Canigó]] (2,786&nbsp;m)
* [[Peña Telera]] (2,764&nbsp;m)
* [[Ordino|Casamanya]] (2,740&nbsp;m)
* [[Cambre d'Aze]] (2.726&nbsp;m)
* [[Cap de la cometa del forn]] (2,691&nbsp;m)<ref>[http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Pyrenees/Cap-De-La-Cometa-Del-Forn; 1 of 3 summits] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130801022814/http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Pyrenees/Cap-De-La-Cometa-Del-Forn; archive])</ref>
* [[Visaurin]] (2,668&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic del Port Vell]] (2,655&nbsp;m)
* [[Aspe peak]] (2,645&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic dels Aspres]] (2,562&nbsp;m)
* [[Pedraforca]] (2,506&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic d'Anie]] (2,504&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic de Pedraforca]] (2,498&nbsp;m)
* [[Pique d'Endron]] (2,472&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic de Madrès]] (2,469&nbsp;m)
* [[Mesa de los Tres Reyes]] (2,428&nbsp;m)
* [[Grande Aiguille d'Ansabère]] (2,376&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic du Soularac]] (2,368&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic du Saint Barthélémy]] (2,348&nbsp;m)
* [[Peña Montañesa]] (2,291&nbsp;m)
* [[Peña Foratata]] (2,282&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic des Trois Seigneurs]] (2,199&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic d'Orhy]] (2,017&nbsp;m)
* [[Chamanchoya]] (1,935&nbsp;m)
* [[Otsogorrigaina]] (1,922&nbsp;m)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/ocio/rutas/200410/09/loborojo.html |title=El monte del lobo rojo. Otsogorrigaina (1.922 m). El Correo |date=9 October 2004 |publisher=El Correo |access-date=9 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131182109/http://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/ocio/rutas/200410/09/loborojo.html |archive-date=31 January 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Pic de Cagire]] (1,912&nbsp;m)
* [[Pic du Gar]] (1,785&nbsp;m)
* [[Urkulu]] (1,419&nbsp;m)
* [[Larrun]] (905&nbsp;m)
* [[Mount Baigura]] (897&nbsp;m)
{{div col end}}

== Sports and leisure ==
[[File:Ski Center.jpg|thumb|Ski Center, Cerler (Spain)]]
Both sides of the Pyrenees are popular spots for winter sports such as [[alpine skiing]] and [[mountaineering]]. The Pyrenees are also a good place for athletes to do high-elevation training in the summer, such as by bicycling and cross-country running.

In the [[summer]] and the [[autumn]], the Pyrenees are usually featured in two of cycling's grand tours, the [[Tour de France]] held annually in July and the [[Vuelta a España]] held in September. The stages held in the Pyrenees are often crucial legs of both tours, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to the region.

Three main [[long-distance footpath]]s run the length of the mountain range: the [[GR 10]] across the northern slopes, the [[GR 11 (Spain)|GR 11]] across the southern slopes, and the [[Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne|HRP]] which traverses peaks and ridges along a high elevation route. In addition, there are numerous marked and unmarked trails throughout the region.

''[[Pirena (race)|Pirena]]'' is a dog-[[mushing]] competition held in the Pyrenees.

=== Ski resorts ===

[[Skiing|Ski]] resorts in the Pyrenees include:

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Alp 2500]] (Spain)
* [[Arette]] (France)
* [[Astún]] (Spain)
* [[Artouste]] (France)
* [[Ax-les-Thermes]] (France)
* [[Baqueira-Beret]] (Spain)
* [[Boí Taüll Resort]] (Spain)
* [[La Mongie|Bareges-La Mongie (Tourmalet)]] (France)
* [[Luz Ardiden]] (France)
* [[Bourg-d'Oueil]] (France)
* [[Cauterets]] (France)
* [[Candanchú]] (Spain)
* [[Cerler]] (Spain)
* [[Espot Esquí]] (Spain)
* [[Font-Romeu]] (France)
* [[Formigal]] (Spain)
* [[Gavarnie Gèdre]]<ref>[http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Ski-Areas/Pays-Toy Pays Toy Ski Resort] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329082309/http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Ski-Areas/Pays-Toy |date=29 March 2009 }} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130731201355/http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Ski-Areas/Pays-Toy; archive])</ref> (France)
* [[Gourette]] (France)
* [[Guzet-Neige]] (France)
* [[Hautacam]] (France)
* [[La Molina (ski resort)|La Molina]] (Spain)
* [[La Pierre Saint Martin]]
* [[Le Mourtis]] (France)
* [[Les Angles, Pyrénées-Orientales|Les Angles]] (France)
* [[Luchon-Superbagnères]] (France)
* [[Luz-Ardiden]] (France)
* [[Nistos cap nestes]] (France)
* [[Panticosa-Los Lagos]] (Spain)
* [[Pas de la Casa]] (Andorra)
* [[Peyragudes]] (France)
* [[Piau-Engaly]] (France)
* [[Port Ainé]] (Spain)
* [[Port del Comte]] (Spain)
* [[Somport]] (France-Spain)
* [[Saint Lary]] (France)
* [[Soldeu|Soldeu / El Tarter]] (Andorra)
* [[Superbagnères]] (France)
* [[Tavascan]] (Spain)
* [[Vall de Núria]] (Spain)
* [[Vallnord]] (Andorra)
* [[Vallter 2000]] (Spain)
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
{{portal|Andorra|France|Spain}}
* [[Montcalm Massif]]
* [[Pre-Pyrenees]]
* [[Megalithic sites in Pyrénées-Orientales]]
* [[:Category:Mountain passes of the Pyrenees]]
* '''''<small>{{portal-inline|Europe}}</small>'''''
* '''''<small>{{portal-inline|Geography}}</small>'''''
* '''''<small>{{portal-inline|Mountains}}</small>'''''

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |first=Hilaire |last=Belloc |title=The Pyrenees |year=1909 |publisher=Methuen & Co., London }}
* {{cite book |first=Friedrich |last=Edelmayer |title=The Pyrenees Region |year=2012 |publisher=[[Institute of European History]] |language=de, en |url=http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0159-2012053102 }}
* {{cite book |first=Claus |last=Paegelow |title=Pyrenäen Bibliografie. Andorra, spanische & französische Pyrenäen, Pyrenees Bibliography. Andorra, Spain & French Pyrenees |year=2008 |publisher=Verlag Claus Paegelow |language=de, en |isbn=978-3-00-023936-6 }}
* {{cite book |first=Tony |last=Milne |title=10 Manuels and a Manolete |year=2015 |publisher=Handmaid Books, [[Herblay]] |language=en |id={{ASIN|1507691408 |country=uk}} }}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Commons|Pyrenees|Pyrenees}}
* {{in lang|en}} {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060305120107/http://www.parc-pyrenees.com/index_english.htm Official website]}} of France's [[Pyrenees National Park]]
* {{in lang|fr}} [http://archives.le64.fr Archives of Pyrénées-Atlantiques department]
* [https://archive.today/20121218161635/http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Grandes%20Rutas/Recorridos/Rutas/0/Pirineos?language=en Great Routes: Pirineos], from a website of the Instituto de Turismo de España
* [http://www.amis-du-livre-pyreneen.fr Les Amis du Livre Pyrénéen (bibliography and history of the Pyrenees)]

{{Mountains of France}}
{{Mountain ranges of Spain}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Pyrenees| ]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Europe]]
[[Category:Isthmuses of Europe]]
[[Category:Geography of Europe]]
[[Category:Landforms of Ariège (department)]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Aragon]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Catalonia]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of the Basque Country (autonomous community)]]
[[Category:Landforms of Pyrénées-Atlantiques]]
[[Category:Landforms of Pyrénées-Orientales]]
[[Category:Landforms of Haute-Garonne]]
[[Category:Landforms of Hautes-Pyrénées]]
[[Category:Landforms of Andorra]]
[[Category:Green Spain]]
[[Category:Physiographic provinces]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Occitania (administrative region)]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Nouvelle-Aquitaine]]