Channel of Castile
Encyclopedia
The Channel of Castile, known in Spanish as the Canal de Castilla, became one of the most important civil engineering works of Modern Spain. It was constructed during the last half of the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century. It flows across the land of Burgos
, Palencia
and Valladolid
, provinces which belong to The Community of Castile and León
, (Spain
). It was built to ease the wheat grain transport from Castile to the northern harbours and to other markets from there onwards.
When railroads were built in northern Spain in the nineteenth century, the Channel turned into the spine of a huge irrigation system due to its inefficiency as a means of transport. There are few canals for navigation in Spain because of the relative lack of water compared to northern European countries and the engineering challenges posed by Spain's mountainous terrain.
The channel stretches 207 km (129 mi), linking the towns of Alar del Rey
(Palencia), which is considered to be the beginning of the Northern Branch, Valladolid
and Medina de Rioseco
, both lying at the end of the Southern Branch and Campos Branch respectively. (The channel has a shape similar to an inverted 'Y' letter).
Lagunas del Canal de Castilla. Wetland habitats associated with the canal benefit the birds of the "steppes" of the Tierra de Campos
and in particular the bittern (Botaurus stellaris) and the aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola).
The European Union's Life Programme
has funded restoration of wetlands in the province of Palencia with the aim of improving the channel's contribution to biodiversity
.
Palencia
Burgos
Palencia
Palencia
Valladolid
Palencia
Valladolid
Burgos
Burgos is a city of northern Spain, historic capital of Castile. It is situated at the edge of the central plateau, with about 178,966 inhabitants in the city proper and another 20,000 in its suburbs. It is the capital of the province of Burgos, in the autonomous community of Castile and León...
, Palencia
Palencia
Palencia is a city south of Tierra de Campos, in north-northwest Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon...
and Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
, provinces which belong to The Community of Castile and León
Castile and León
Castile and León is an autonomous community in north-western Spain. It was so constituted in 1983 and it comprises the historical regions of León and Old Castile...
, (Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
). It was built to ease the wheat grain transport from Castile to the northern harbours and to other markets from there onwards.
When railroads were built in northern Spain in the nineteenth century, the Channel turned into the spine of a huge irrigation system due to its inefficiency as a means of transport. There are few canals for navigation in Spain because of the relative lack of water compared to northern European countries and the engineering challenges posed by Spain's mountainous terrain.
The channel stretches 207 km (129 mi), linking the towns of Alar del Rey
Alar del Rey
Alar del Rey is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 1,185 inhabitants....
(Palencia), which is considered to be the beginning of the Northern Branch, Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
and Medina de Rioseco
Medina de Rioseco
Medina de Rioseco is a municipality located in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 5,037 inhabitants. During the Peninsular War, it was here that the Battle of Medina del Rioseco took place on July 14,...
, both lying at the end of the Southern Branch and Campos Branch respectively. (The channel has a shape similar to an inverted 'Y' letter).
Ecology
There are areas of ecological importance along the watercourse, including two Special Protection Areas for birdlife: La Nava-Campos Norte and La Nava-Campos Sur, as well as a SPA/SCISite of Community Importance
A Site of Community Importance is defined in the European Commission Habitats Directive as a site which, in the biogeographical region or regions to which it belongs, contributes significantly to the maintenance or restoration at a favourable conservation status of a natural habitat type or of a...
Lagunas del Canal de Castilla. Wetland habitats associated with the canal benefit the birds of the "steppes" of the Tierra de Campos
Tierra de Campos
Tierra de Campos is a large historical region or greater comarca that straddles the provinces of León, Zamora, Valladolid and Palencia, in Castile and León, Spain...
and in particular the bittern (Botaurus stellaris) and the aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola).
The European Union's Life Programme
The LIFE Programme
The LIFE Programme is the European Union’s funding instrument for the environment. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental policy and legislation by co-financing pilot or demonstration projects with European added value.LIFE...
has funded restoration of wetlands in the province of Palencia with the aim of improving the channel's contribution to biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
.
PalenciaPalenciaPalencia is a city south of Tierra de Campos, in north-northwest Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon...
Province
|
Castrillo de Riopisuerga Castrillo de Riopisuerga is a municipality located in the province of Burgos, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 87 inhabitants.... |
|
BurgosBurgosBurgos is a city of northern Spain, historic capital of Castile. It is situated at the edge of the central plateau, with about 178,966 inhabitants in the city proper and another 20,000 in its suburbs. It is the capital of the province of Burgos, in the autonomous community of Castile and León...
Province
|
Melgar de Fernamental Melgar de Fernamental is a municipality lying by the Pisuerga river, located in the province of Burgos, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2008 census , the municipality has a population of 1,898 inhabitants.- Former Municipalities :... |
PalenciaPalenciaPalencia is a city south of Tierra de Campos, in north-northwest Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon...
Province
|
Requena de Campos Requena de Campos is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 41 inhabitants.... Boadilla del Camino Boadilla del Camino is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 166 inhabitants.... Frómista Frómista is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2009 data , the municipality has a population of 822 inhabitants.It is a major stopping place for pilgrims traveling along the Way of St. James.... Piña de Campos Piña de Campos is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 279 inhabitants.... |
Amusco Amusco is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 507 inhabitants.... Ribas de Campos Ribas de Campos is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 185 inhabitants.... . |
PalenciaPalenciaPalencia is a city south of Tierra de Campos, in north-northwest Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon...
Province
|
Paredes de Nava Paredes de Nava is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain.It is the birthplace of Renaissance painter Pedro Berruguete. Some paintings by him can be seen in the predella of the local church of Santa Eulalia. Other sights include the church of St. Martin .... Fuentes de Nava Fuentes de Nava is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 774 inhabitants.... Autillo de Campos Autillo de Campos is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 191 inhabitants.... Abarca -Places:*Abarca, a village in Melipilla Province, Chile;*Abarca, a village in Talca Province, Chile;-Surname:*Cristián Abarca , Chilean footballer*David Abarca , Mexican baseball player*Joaquín Abarca , Spanish prelate... |
Castromocho Castromocho is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 258 inhabitants.... Capillas Capillas is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 102 inhabitants.... Castil de Vela Castil de Vela is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 91 inhabitants.... Belmonte de Campos Belmonte de Campos is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 34 inhabitants.... |
ValladolidValladolidValladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
Province
|
Villanueva de San Mancio Villanueva de San Mancio is a municipality located in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 125 inhabitants.... |
Medina de Rioseco Medina de Rioseco is a municipality located in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 5,037 inhabitants. During the Peninsular War, it was here that the Battle of Medina del Rioseco took place on July 14,... |
PalenciaPalenciaPalencia is a city south of Tierra de Campos, in north-northwest Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon...
Province
|
Villamuriel de Cerrato Villamuriel de Cerrato is a municipality located in the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 5,304 inhabitants.... |
Dueñas Dueñas may refer to:*Dueñas, Iloilo, Philippines*Dueñas, Palencia, Spain... |
ValladolidValladolidValladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
Province
|
Cabezón de Pisuerga Cabezón de Pisuerga is a municipality located in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 2,344 inhabitants.... |
Cigales Cigales is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines located to the north of Valladolid along both banks of the River Pisuerga.... Valladolid Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales... |
External links
- Channel of Castile. Castile and León Community Government Tourism Website.
- Canal de Castilla - Wetland restoration and management: Canal de Castilla Special Protection Area, The LIFE ProgrammeThe LIFE ProgrammeThe LIFE Programme is the European Union’s funding instrument for the environment. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental policy and legislation by co-financing pilot or demonstration projects with European added value.LIFE...