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Doñana National Park

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ECST. European Charter for Sustainable Tourism

A variety of ecosystems

The biodiversity to be found in Doñana is due to a combination of different ecosystems. It was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1980.

The Park is characterised by its flatness. A transition can be seen from the gently sloping landscapes of the stabilised sand dunes, known as "cotos", to the marsh, which is the most interesting area, as it is a refuge for numerous migratory birds. The fauna to be found in Doñana includes a wide variety of species, of which the most significant are the birds, but also the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardina), a carnivore indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula and which has become the park's emblem.

Type of area

Parque Nacional, Reserva Biosfera

Information

Area: 54.252 Hectares
Location: The park is situated in the region of Andalusia in southern Spain, between the provinces of Huelva and Seville.

Information for visits: You can check the Visitor Centres on this page.

More access information.

Environmental information: It has three different ecosystems: the marsh, non-stabilised sand dunes and stabilised sand, or "cotos". This provides a home to a unique biodiversity in Europe, which includes endangered species such as the golden eagle and the Iberian lynx.

The park stands out because of its marked seasons, mainly in the marsh. It floods in autumn; in winter it looks like a shallow lake; in spring the water surface gets covered in flora; and in summer, it is a desert of broken and dusty clay. The marsh is also extremely important because thousands of birds nest and stop over on their migration routes.

Cultural information: The relationship between man and nature that Doñana has forged throughout history is one of the most interesting features to discover here. You will find beacons that protected the area against the attacks of Berber pirates, and huts made with plants. The famous pilgrimage to El Rocío also takes place in the area every August.