La utilización de los SIGpara la creación de itinerarios didácticos, localización y puesta en valor del patrimonio minero del Cabezo Rajao, Sierra Minera de La Unión (Reg. Murcia)

Abstract

The Sierra Minera of Cartagena-La Unión, belonging to the Region of Murcia, is located in the southeast of the Spanish territory. It stands out, as much for its mineralogical wealth, as for the patrimony to which it is associated. This mountain range, has been one of the most emblematic places of the entire Region of Murcia in mineral exploitation, for more than XX centuries until just 20 years ago. The Sierra Minera is a unique place, with a diversity of mineral heritage elements with sufficient singularity and representativeness. All this has been included in a Geographic Information System (GIS) using the Digital Terrain Models (MDT) for the generation of longitudinal profiles and calculations of the drainage network. A series of thematic and educational itineraries have been designed, accompanied by signage, adapted to two different groups of users, adults and children, to attract the interest of society for this heritage, through family cultural tourism. Directly, it has contributed to the knowledge and to establish a relation between the patrimonial information that is available with the mining infrastructures that still remain settled in our territory, through the creation of hiking trails. In this way, the history of mining and its heritage is disclosed and displayed on the spot, and the protection and respect it needs to preserve it from oblivion and collapse.