"Nature in the Valencia Region" is the first book in this collection to be sponsored by the new Repsol YPF Group, created after acquisition of the Argentine company YPF in 1999, and currently one of the world�s ten largest private oil companies.

This volume takes a comprehensive look at the different natural landscapes to be found in the Valencian Community, and its descriptions of the outstanding sights of Castell�n, Valencia and Alicante are meticulous and enchanting, as too is the account of the varied plant and animal life boasted by this unique and beautiful land, which is one of Europe�s richest areas in endemic species.

The book�s author, Vicente Ur�os, holds a Doctorate in Biology, and is Associate Professor in Environmental Science and Natural Resources at the University of Alicante. He is also Director of Conservation at the Marjal de Pego-Oliva Nature Park.

This new edition brings to a total of thirteen volumes this "Nature" collection published by Repsol YPF, and devised to popularise natural environments and places of ecological interest in Spain. The first book in the collection, "Las Tablas de Daimiel" won the award for "The Best Book Published in 1987", and, in 1991, "Nature in Madrid" did likewise.

In his speech, the Chairman of Repsol YPF summarised the company�s presence in the Valencia region, where it has made investments of some 6 billion pesetas per year since 1996, and where it directly employs approximately 800 people. He also stressed the corporation�s environmental commitment, which is conducted via an Environmental Management System based on the international ISO 14001 Standard.