The highlands comprise a series of mountains encircling the city of Ronda, clothed with indigenous tree species, such as chestnuts, cork trees, and above all the "Pinsapo", a type of pine only found in this region of Europe.

 Ronda is the capital of highlands area, with 33.900 inhabitants, and is an important tourist, commercial and service centre, as well as a communications node linking all the area's population centres.

 The main villages in the area are Arriate, Cuevas del Becerro, Montecorto and Serrato, which main products are olive oil, "Chacinas", cereals, sunflower, and in Cuevas del Becerro, native crab.

 Handicrafts are based on esparto grass, wood, wicker and saddlery.

The valley of the Genal river comprises 15 villages. Those closest to, and most influenced by Ronda are Parauta, Cartajima, Igualeja, Pujerra, Juzcar, Atajate, Alpandeire and Farajan.
Their main products are fruit, olives, chestnuts, almonds, must, olive oil, "Palmitos", figs, honey, wheat, citrus fruits and "chacinas".
Leading handicraft products are leather work, clay, ropes, olive twigs for basket making, esparto grass , "pita" for rope making", hides and skins.

El Burgo and Yunquera are in the Guadalhorce valley and produce olive oil, almonds, beans, potatoes, olives, oranges, chestnuts, wheat, maize and herbs.
Handicrafts comprise wicker baskets, bags, carpets and mats made of esparto grass, palm leaves for brooms, shoes, boots and sticks.

 Montejaque, Benaojan, Jimera de Libar and Cortes de la Frontera are in the valley of the Guadiaro and produce "chacinas", and cheese.