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The Parque Nacional de Doñana can be found on the delta of the Guadalquivir River. The river has only one outlet to the sea, as the rest of the delta was gradually blocked off by a huge sandbar. Sea winds then created a natural barrier of dunes, behind which marshes soon appeared.
The effect of this extraordinary mélange of land and water was to create an environment shunned by people but ideal for wildlife. As early as the thirteenth century, the kings of Castille set aside a portion of the Doñana as a royal hunting estate. The area became an official national park in 1969.
The conditions provided by its rich deposits of silt and raised sandbanks and islands are perfect for the breeding birds that flock to the area in their thousands.
Lucky visitors may see some of Spain's most endangered species, such as the lynx, the Egyptian mongoose and the imperial eagle of which only 14 breeding pairs remain.
Entrance to the park is strictly controlled. Half day trips with official guides are available throughout the year but should be booked in advance by calling the visitors centre on +34 959 430432.
What you see at Doñana depends on the time of year and the luck of the draw. With 125 species of birds, 28 of mammals, 17 reptiles, nine amphibians and eight species of fish, no two visits will be the same.
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