Dune National Park, Spain

The Andalusian Dune National Park is one of the most important ecological systems in Europe. With its 500 sq. Km. area it has been declared a World Natural Heritage Site. It was declared a National Dune Park in 1969, and its swamps and wetlands along the Guadalquivir Delta are home to more than 360 species of protected migratory and native birds. Its magnificent lands are dotted with over a thousand plant species, some of them endemic, which house some of the richest populations of animal species.
Different ecosystems can be seen in the Dune National Park, depending on whether it is dunes, clear water or lakes and a sandy base. The rich flora determines the richness of the fauna, which makes the park home to a large number of unique species, including exotic ones. The National Park has three predominant landscape forms - the swamps, the dry desert with fixed dunes and the area near the coastline with moving dunes. Doñana, for example, is mostly flat, covered with bushes and wildflowers, with 50 km of rolling sand dunes along the coast and pastures on the riparian shores dotted with cork oak. With its suitable nature, it is preferred by many species of waterfowl and a habitat for the rare Imperial Eagle.
The Dune National Park is also unique because of the rare reptiles that can be seen here - the Mediterranean tree frog, the conifer, the Mediterranean tortoise and the cinderella. The list of mammals is made up of the endangered Iberian lynx, mongoose, wild boar and deer and others. Among the amazing inhabitants of the park are also bulls and wild horses. In spring and autumn, huge flocks of birds arrive here, migrating between Europe and Africa.
For the convenience of visitors, two centers have been created. One of them provides the opportunity to rent a jeep to tour the wonderful lands of the National Park. Those wishing to take a boat trip on the Guadalquivir River and watch the birds should head to the Factory de Jello. Even better is a walk in the park on horseback. In the National Park of Dunes they have also thought about the lovers of walking - for them are the paths that start from the visitor center at Placio de Acebron or the main center of El Acebuche.