Maspalomas Dunes, Nature reserve in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Spain.
Maspalomas Dunes is a nature reserve in San Bartolomé de Tirajana covering 404 hectares of rolling sand formations along the southern coast. The landscape includes a salt pan and supports rare plants and bird species adapted to the arid environment.
The dunes developed during the last ice age when winds carried sand from an exposed seafloor to Gran Canaria's southern coast. This natural process shaped the landscape over thousands of years into its current form.
The dunes hold meaning for locals as a symbol of Gran Canaria's natural wealth and are visited by people seeking to experience the island's raw landscape. The place represents a part of the region's identity tied to its desert environment.
Visitors can walk through the reserve on about 8 kilometers of marked paths equipped with information boards and protective barriers. Staying on these routes helps protect the fragile habitats and ensures a safe, enjoyable visit.
The reserve loses about 45,000 cubic meters of sand to the ocean each year, prompting authorities to implement conservation measures to slow erosion. This ongoing battle against natural forces demonstrates the challenges of protecting coastal ecosystems.
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