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Inland Salinas in Spain: Classification, Characterisation, and Reflections on Unique Cultural Landscapes and Geoheritage

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Abstract

With over 500 salt-making sites in inland Spain, continental salinas constitute genuine cultural landscapes with strong cultural and natural heritage values. This paper presents inland or continental salinas using artisanal techniques for the production of salt based on solar evaporation and local materials for buildings and infrastructures. Together with the environmental features of the sites, these characteristics allow harmonic enclaves perfectly integrated into their territory to be configured. This study is intended to identify, characterise, and establish a typological classification of salt landscapes in Spain. The qualitative analysis applied—based on the Landscape Character Assessment approach—also reveals an important landscape diversity and a specific salt culture and concludes with some ideas for their safeguarding and adequate use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cátedra de Participación Ciudadana y Paisajes Valencianos-UV, Department of Geography, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain

    Emilio Iranzo-García

  2. Ipaisal (Institute of Saltscapes and Salt Heritage) and Department of Mechanical Engineering, ICAI School of Engineering, Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid, Spain

    Katia Hueso Kortekaas

  3. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Madrid School of Architecture, Universidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Emilia Román López

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  1. Emilio Iranzo-García
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  2. Katia Hueso Kortekaas
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  3. Emilia Román López
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Correspondence to Emilio Iranzo-García.

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Iranzo-García, E., Kortekaas, K.H. & López, E.R. Inland Salinas in Spain: Classification, Characterisation, and Reflections on Unique Cultural Landscapes and Geoheritage. Geoheritage 13, 24 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00543-1

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