Natura 2000 Network

The European Union's network of biodiversity conservation areas comprises two types of protected areas: Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) established under the Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs) designated under the Birds Directive. Spain, with over two thousand sites in the network, contributes the most territory, both in absolute terms (22.3 million hectares) and in relative terms (almost 301% of the country's total area).