The concept of landscape is complex to definedepends on the spatial, social and temporal context. It is considered by several authors as a complex, dynamic system, where natural and anthropic factors influence each other and change over time, determining and being determined by the global structure. It constitutes the collective historical and cultural identity. It is increasingly recognized as a fundamental part of the natural, cultural and scientific heritage, the basis of the identity of a territory, necessary for its planning and sustainable management, conservation, recovery and valorization.
 

On October 20, 2000, the Council of Europe signed in Florence theEuropean Landscape Convention (CEP), which entered into force in March 2004, wasratified by Portugal in February 2005 and by Spain in November 2007. It aims to promote the protection, management and planning of European landscapes. It is an instrument that seeks to clarify the concepts related to European landscapes and is applied to the entire territory (natural, rural, urban and peri-urban areas, encompassing land areas, inland waters and marine waters).

In the Miño basin there is a great diversity of landscapes.To characterize each of them, different catalogs and inventories have been drawn up:

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• Galicia

In July 2008, the Galician Parliament approved theLaw 7/2008, of July 7, Protection of the Galician Landscape, in accordance with the provisions of the CEP. Legally recognizes the landscape and establishes a reference framework for all sectoral legislation, plans and programs that may influence the landscape. In 2011, theGalician Landscape Strategy, revised in 2014, which included the preparation of theAtlas of Galician Landscapesfrom theCatalogs and Landscape Guidelines, reference for the elaboration of theCatalog of Landscapes of Galicia, which divides the Galician territory into 12 Large Landscape Areas (GAP) and 50 Landscape Regions (CP).

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The Miño basin covers 8 Large Landscape Areas (GAP) y 20 Landscape Regions (CP).

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In Miño Alto it is mainly included in laGAP 3-Sharpeners and Trenches Luguesas(A terra Chá, Lugo, Sarria and Chantada) and to the east theGAP 1-Serras Orientais(Ancares, Courel, Inicio and Samos- Triacastela). The center and Sil basin are characterized by a landscape calledRibeiras Encaixadas do Miño and do Sil (GAP 5), which includes the Ribeiras Sacras del Miño and del Sil, the Valdeorras region, the Ourense basin and the O Ribeiro basin, in addition to the O Carballiño region, belonging toGAP 7-Central Galicia. The southern area is included within theGAP 4-Chairas, Pits and Serras Ourensás (Arnoia, A Limia and Baixa Limia-Xurés) and theGAP 2-Serras Surorientais(Terra de Trives and Terra do Bolo). Towards the mouth, we find the landscapeGAP 6-South Coast - Baixo Miño, which includes the regions of Condado Paradanta and Baixo Miño.

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+ info: Institute of Territory Studies (Galicia)​