The Extremadura is the least populated area of Spain. Compared with an average of 170 inhabitants per km2 in the EU, and 75 inhabitants per km2 in Spain, the Extremadura nearly has 27 inhabitants per km2. This could explain why the Extremeños feel very close to the ever surrounding nature. The Extremeños are looked upon as hard working, loyal people.  They take pride in protecting the land and environment on which they usually depend for their income and recreation. The Extremeños love their traditions and are extremely welcoming to any visitor, who they enjoy to share all their Fiëstas, history, nature and so on with. Most parties (or Fiëstas as they are called here) are a mixture of historical and human elements. Everybody in society - whether old or young, rich or poor – takes part in these fiëstas which can be anything from a horse-race to a bullfighting festival, the yearly Carnaval or Eastern Week, or a celebration of a Christian Holiness. If you would ever like to find out the meaning behind a certain fiesta, just ask the first Extremeño you see, and you will probably get a very detailed explanation together with an invitation you simply can not refuse!

This gastronomical overview would not be complete without a mention of the cheeses of the Extremadura. The region produces goat’s, sheep’s and cow’s cheeses using the traditional processes that give them very special aromas and flavours. The main cheese-producing areas are La Vera, Casar de Cáceres and La Serrena. The cheese from Casar de Cáceres, called “Torta de Casar”, was rewarded as “best local cheese of Spain” in 2003.

The Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti). The world population of only some 150 breeding pairs is confined to Iberia and a third of them occur in Extremadura. The main populations can be found in Monfragüe (10 pairs) and the Sierra de San Pedro (15-20 pairs).
The Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) is one of the most endangered species in Western Europe where Spain possesses the largest population, of some 200 pairs. Extremadura has a minimum of 150 pairs, 75% of the Spanish total.
The Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) has suffered an extensive reduction of its global range and population. Extremadura accommodates almost 500 pairs, about half of the Spanish population. The world's largest colony is at Monfragüe Natural Park (over 225 pairs). The colonies at the Sierra de San Pedro (almost 100 pairs) and the Sierra de Gata (42 pairs) are also important.
The Great Bustard (Otis tarda) has a global population of 22,000-25,000 individuals, spread widely across Eurasia. Spain, with half the total is the most important area for this species and about 6,000 of the birds inhabit Extremadura. Indeed, as bustard expert Dr Nigel Collar of the ICBP has said "in no other place on earth is there a better opportunity for the continued survival of this species".
The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) has suffered a severe decline in Europe during the past century, from which it has only recently begun to recover. Spain, with more than 17,000 pairs, has the largest population. A census carried out by Adenex in 1994 revealed 6,800 pairs in our region.
The Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) is the raptor whose European population has suffered the largest decrease in recent years. Its habit of nesting on the ground in crops has made it vulnerable to changes in cropping regimes. A third of the European population, of 1,500 - 2,000 pairs, breeds in Extremadura.
The Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) is rapidly and unexpectedly disappearing from its strongholds in North Africa and Eastern Europe. Only the Iberian Peninsula retains a significant population, much of it within Extremadura.

Grey or Mythical Wolf (Canis lupus) currently estimated at only 35-40 pure-bred individuals. Its presence gives the fauna a touch of mystery and exoticism which has been lost forever in most other areas of our countries.
The Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardellus) the most endangered European mammal still inhabits the remaining natural habitats, the Mediterranean forests and scrublands. Its situation can only be described as critical, given ongoing changes in its habitats and the marked decline in the Wild Rabbit population
The Otter (Lutra lutra), Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon), Genet (Genetta genetta), Polecat (Putorius putorius), Beech Marten (Martes foina) and Weasel (Mustela nivalis) are very common. The Wild Cat (Felis sylvestris) also occurs but its declining numbers are a cause for concern. Extremadura has an extremely rich community of bat species. It also boasts the Wild Goat (Capra pyrenaica) in the Extremaduran part of the Sierra de Gredos; this species was originally made known to science by a specimen from Madrigal de la Vera (Cáceres).

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