Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park, National park in Galicia, Spain
This national park covers four archipelagos off the northern Spanish coast where marine and land ecosystems meet across more than 8,000 hectares. The group includes the Cíes, Ons, Sálvora, and Cortegada islands, each with its own beaches, cliffs, and vegetation.
The reserve gained protected status in 2002, becoming Spain's thirteenth national park. Archaeological finds on the islands show that people settled there as early as the Iron Age.
The islands carry names like Cíes and Ons that come from Galician and refer to old landscape features. Fishermen still work in certain zones of the reserve today, following methods passed down through generations.
Visitors must book spots in advance through official channels, as the number of daily guests is limited. Ferries depart from ports like Vigo, Cangas, and Baiona, mainly during the warmer months.
The reserve hosts the largest colony of yellow-legged gulls worldwide and serves as an important nesting site for storm petrels. Underwater forests of brown algae grow in the sheltered bays and provide habitat for many marine species.
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