Landscapes: Much More than Mountains and Lakes

Hello, dear reader! Carlos Hidalgo speaking. I'll tell you everything I've learned about landscapes in my life, not by theory, but by pure experience, the good kind!

I've traveled through thick jungles, mountains that looked like something out of a postcard and even those urban parks where nature and the city seem to shake hands. But, what is a landscape really?

First things first: landscapes are much more than a pretty sight for the Instagram postcard. A landscape is the visual combination of everything that surrounds you in a particular place, and it's full of natural and artificial elements that coexist and sometimes even fight each other. There you have the wind forming dunes in the desert or water erosion sculpting canyons like the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

What elements define a landscape?

I'm talking about water, flora, fauna, soils, mountains, climate and, of course, the human being. Just as nature leaves its mark on every corner of the planet, so do we humans. Sometimes in a positive way, with parks like Central Park in New York, where city and green blend in an almost poetic way. Other times, not so much, when they destroy entire areas with massive urbanization.

Let's go with a classic example: the Galapagos Islands, that site so famous not only for its tortoises, but for the volcanic landscape that seems from another planet. Here you see all the natural elements in action: mountains, water, fauna, flora. Every corner of the islands tells its own story.

Scapes also influence health

It sounds like science fiction, but it's not. Landscapes impact our well-being. Look, have you ever felt relaxed after a walk in a green park or a quiet beach? This is no accident. Natural environments have therapeutic effects. They help reduce stress and improve quality of life. Throughout my life I have seen how a good landscape can change anyone's mood.

Did you know that even the WHO recommends contact with nature to improve mental and physical health?. Imagine, something as simple as surrounding yourself with trees can make everything more bearable.

There are different types of landscapes?

Here comes the juicy part. Not all landscapes are the same, although many people insist on lumping them into the same bag. Landscapes are classified into several types, depending on what they dominate and where they are located.

Natural landscapes: those untouched (or almost untouched) by the hand of man. Think of the Amazonas or the glaciers of Patagonia.

Urban landscapes: where nature and the city coexist. They are the parks, avenues, and everything that is part of our cities. The perfect example would be the Parque del Retiro in Madrid, where the green breaks with the gray.

Cultural landscapes: when humans have not only lived there, but have also left an important mark, like those fields of vineyards in France, full of history and tradition.

The evolution of landscapes and human impact

One thing that became clear to me is that landscapes are not static, they are constantly changing. Mountains rising and eroding, rivers changing their course and even entire towns disappearing under the pressure of development.

The human impact is one of the big culprits. I have seen how natural areas have been destroyed to make way for housing developments. But I have also visited places where nature has regained its space, like in certain parts of Chernobil, where the fauna and flora have been reborn after the catastrophe.

The magic of urban landscapes

And don't forget urban landscapes! They are the result of the interaction between humans and nature in an urban environment. In these landscapes, buildings, streets and public spaces coexist with trees, parks and even rivers.

A good example I can give you is the Ibirapuera Park in São Paulo, Brazil. Here, the concrete and buildings of the city are softened by a green lung that acts as an oasis in the midst of the chaos. These urban landscapes are not only visually pleasing, but help create a better quality of life.

Analyzing landscapes

Here's a handy tip if you want to become a "landscape analyst" like me. Every time you visit a place, look around you and ask yourself what elements compose it. Landscapes are not just what you see, but everything that influences them.

Look at the relief: Are there mountains? Plains?

Look at the water: Rivers, lakes, sea? Water shapes the landscape.

Vegetation and fauna: From the smallest insect to the tallest trees.

Human intervention: How much has man touched that place?

Landscape conservation, a constant struggle

This is another topic I can't leave out. Throughout my life, I have seen landscapes disappear, literally, in front of my eyes. The nature reserves and national parks were born precisely to protect those spaces from the destructive hand of human beings.

Places like the Iguazu Falls or the Galapagos Islands would not be what they are today without conservation efforts. Can you imagine a world without those unique sites? Sometimes nature needs us to lend a hand.

Conclusion

The landscapes are not just something you see, but something you live and feel. From natural landscapes that have witnessed the passage of time, to urban landscapes that seamlessly blend modern life with nature, all have a story to tell. And ours, as human beings, is irremediably connected to them.

So the next time you find yourself in the middle of a landscape, take a break, take a deep breath and appreciate everything that place has to offer. Because landscapes are not only scenery, but essential characters in our lives.

Because landscapes are not only scenery, but essential characters in our lives.