Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada (i.e. 'Snowy Range'), (1) a mountain-range of southern Spain, stretches east through the province of Granada to the frontiers of Almería, is 60 miles in length, from 20 to 30 in breadth, and covers an area of 1060 sq. m. It forms a portion of the watershed between the streams that flow into the Mediterranean and those that flow into the Atlantic. The peak of Velate (11,670 feet) is the highest point of the Spanish Peninsula. The range receives its name from the perpetual snow which covers the highest summits (down to 11,000 feet). The system is connected with other mountain-masses in Spain, to north, east, and west, and its edges are much indented by deep valleys.—(2) A range of mountains in California, forming the eastern boundary of its Great Central Valley, and extending from north-west to south-east 450 miles, until in the neighbourhood of 35° N. this and the Coast Range meet and become continuous. Among the higher peaks of the Sierra Nevada are Mount Whitney (14,886 feet high), Mount Shasta (14,440), Mount Tyndall (14,386). Granite and metamorphic slate are the principal rocks; in some parts volcanic rocks are abundant. The sides of the range are covered with great forests, gold imbedded in quartz is found in large quantities, and silver-mines have been opened on the east side. The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses the range at an altitude of 7042 feet.—(3) Sierra Nevada de Mérida is the principal chain of the Andes in Venezuela, rising to over 15,300 feet.—(4) Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a system in the north of the department of Magdalena, in Colombia, flanking the sea, and stretching westward from near Venezuela to the low swamps and marshes of the Rio Magdalena (about 120 miles). The central knot consists of two tables, with from eight to ten separate summits, all capped with snow, the highest point variously estimated at from 16,400 (Sievers) to 17,500 (Simons) feet. The leading rocks are granite, syenite, and various slates, sandstones, quartz, and older eruptive rocks. The northern slopes are densely wooded with virgin tropical forests from 4000 feet downwards; the southern slopes are naked rocks above 6300 feet. The valley of the Rio Cesar is especially fertile, and in the mountains the Arlmaços Indians have even coca plantations. Copper, silver, and gold are found, and coal in the Rio Cesar valley. Much difference of opinion has existed as to whether this group is an independent system or connected with the Andes. Dr Sievers avers that they unite a little to the south of 11° N. lat. in the Sierra de Perijá, within a triangle formed by the towns of Fonseca, Treinta, and Soldado. See his Reise in der Sierra N. de S.M. (Leip. 1887); also a paper in Proc. Roy. Geog. Soc. (1881) by F. A. A. Simons, and another in Scot. Geog. Mag. (1887).