Old Castile Plateau

a plateau in Spain in the northwestern part of the Meseta. Elevations are typically about 800 m, reaching 1,000–1,200 m on the outer edges. The plateau is composed of sandstone, conglomerate rock, limestone, and marl; it is dissected to depths of 100–120 m by the river valleys of the Duero basin. The vegetation consists of xerophytic shrub formations and steppe vegetation; there also are pine and oak groves. Wheat and maize are grown, and there are vineyards and orchards. The cities of Valladolid and Salamanca are located on the plateau.