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Like
most of the territory of Europe, the Madriu-Perafita-Claror
Valley is not virgin land. Man has used it, crossed
it and enjoyed it for centuries, moulding a landscape in
which his imprint is everywhere present.
The
main historical uses of this zone were farming (tillage,
animal husbandry and forestry), iron working and hydroelectric
power. As a result of these uses, numerous human elements
have come down to us which, situated in a unique natural
environment, make up the cultural landscape of the Madriu-Perafita-Claror
Valley. The structure of the vegetation has also been modified
by all these activities, the imprint of which has often
to be read indirectly starting with meadows sited on forest
land, terraces made on steep slopes or birch woods replacing
old-growth pine woods.
At present the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley is the scene
for new leisure related activities, among which one should
note trekking, mountaineering, observation of nature, hunting
and fishing. |
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Man continues to use this territory inasmuch as it is suited
to present reality, combining new demands and traditional
activities, some of which, such as animal husbandry (cows
and horses) still have a significant presence and contribute
in an essential manner to the maintenance of the landscape.
Hunting and fishing, the first with significant changes compared
to traditional usage, maintain an active presence.
Finally, there are two concessionaries using resources in
the Madriu valley: Forces Elèctriques d'Andorra (FEDA),
the authority responsible for the hydroelectric power use
of the waters of the Madriu and Companyia d'Aigües Potables
d'Escaldes-Engordany (CAPESA), which supplies drinking water
to Escaldes-Engordany. In both cases, the contribution of
the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley is generous and very important
if we bear in mind that the water from the Madriu catchment
area enables the production of 11% of the electricity produced
in the country and the supply of drinking water to 20% of
the country's inhabitants. |
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