The Principality of Asturias has an area of 10 604 km² which is 2% of Spain with a population of 1 076 635 (2005). Asturias shaded relief map The Asturias are characteriesed by a rugged cliffy coast and mountainous interior. The Cantabrian mountain range (Cordillera Cantábrica) is Asturias' natural border with León province to the south. The Picos de Europa National Park forms the eastern range and contains the highest mountains, rising to 2648 metres at the Torrecerredo peak. Other notable features of this predominantly-limestone range are the Parque Natural de Redes in the central east, the central Ubiñas south of Oviedo, and the Parque Natural de Somiedo in the west. Asturias is served by Ranon Airport (OVD), 40 kilometres from Oviedo, near the northwest coast and the industrial town of Avilés. Spain's national RENFE rail network also serves Asturias well; trains regularly depart to and from the Spanish interior.
