EXTREMADURA

PROVINCES: Cáceres, Badajoz

Extremadura is a region (autonomous community) in midwestern Spain. It borders Portugal to the west and the Spanish regions of Castilla y León to the north, Castilla-La Mancha to the east and Andalucia to the south. It's capital is Mérida.

The climate of Extremadura is Mediterranean, except to the north, where it is continentalized, and to the west, where the influence of the Atlantic makes the climate milder. In general, it is characterized by its very hot and dry summers, with great droughts, and its long and mild winters due to the oceanic influence because of its proximity to the Atlantic coast of Portugal.

Extremadura is an important area for wildlife, particularly with the major reserve at Monfragüe, which was designated a National Park in 2007 and the project of the International Tagus River Natural Park (Parque Natural Rio Tajo internacional).