The region lies in the centre of the province of Jaén, in a strip of gently rolling landscape dominated by an impressive sea of olive trees. It stretches from south-west to north-east between the upper reaches of the Guadalquivir and Guadalimar rivers, as far as their confluence. It borders Sierra Morena to the north, Sierra Mágina to the south and the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas to the east, and opens out to the west onto the vast Guadalquivir valley.

Its privileged location has made the region the setting for major historical events since ancient times, which have left beautiful traces, along with a magnificent architectural legacy, especially from the Renaissance. This heritage is scattered throughout La Loma and reaches its greatest splendour in the historic centres of Úbeda, Baeza and Sabiote.

Its wealth of monuments is matched by its crafts and cuisine, which offer an impressive range: pottery and ceramics, wrought iron, stonemasonry, tapestries, esparto work and stained glass. To taste the area’s typical dishes, be sure to try chickpea and chard stew, bean and aubergine stew, mareaos de garbanzos, Lenten empanadillas, andrajos and cured pork products such as lomo, morcilla and chorizo, as well as Baeza-style cod (bacalao a la Baeza), pipirrana, soupy rice or meat in tomato sauce. Sweets such as virolos, sponge cakes, homemade biscuits and ochíos in syrup will delight even the most discerning palates. All of these can be enjoyed with the fine wines of Torreperogil, brandies and aniseed drinks such as risol and paloma.

The region also has natural areas protected for their exceptional value, such as the Puente de la Cerrada, Doña Aldonza and Pedro Marín reservoirs on the Guadalquivir, and La Laguna Grande. These are wetlands of particular importance, home to numerous waterbirds.