Costa Ártabra, Protected coastal area in A Coruña Province, Spain.
Costa Artabra is a protected coastal area along northwestern Spain featuring dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, salt marshes, and tidal flats between two regional coastal zones. The site encompasses diverse landscapes where freshwater rivers meet the sea, creating varied habitats within its boundaries.
Roman historians recorded this coast as Portus Magnus Artaborum, a significant maritime location during antiquity. The name and its strategic importance reflected the region's role as a landing place for ships crossing the Atlantic waters.
Fishing families have shaped life along this coast for centuries, and their knowledge of tides and seasons remains woven into local daily routines. The conservation designation honors these traditions while protecting the waters they depend on.
The site is accessible from several coastal towns that serve as entry points to different parts of the shoreline and protected zone. Coastal paths and beaches can be exposed to wind and changeable weather, so visitors should be prepared for conditions that vary throughout the year.
Three river systems drain into this protected zone, creating pockets where fresh and salt water mix in unexpected ways. This meeting of waters attracts bird species that travel from distant regions during their seasonal migrations.
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