Mountains Bordering the Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Gibraltar) is framed by mountain ranges on three sides:

• North: Pyrenees — 430 km crest, forming the France–Spain border; highest Aneto (3,404 m).
• Northwest: Cantabrian Mountains (Cordillera Cantábrica) — parallel to Bay of Biscay; Picos de Europa (Torre Cerredo 2,650 m).
• South: Sierra Morena — low, eroded range (max 1,332 m) separating the Meseta from Andalusia/Guadalquivir Valley.
• Southeast: Sierra Nevada — highest in peninsula: Mulhacén (3,479 m); alpine glaciation relicts; Mediterranean backdrop.

Interior: The Sistema Central (Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos) bisects the Meseta; Sistema Ibérico rims the Ebro Basin.

The Pyrenees are the only international border range; the others are wholly within Spain (except Sierra Morena's western tip in Portugal).