| In the history of the
zone, there are two milestones that outweigh most other
events;
the region’s close involvement in the discovery of
the Americas at the end of the 15th century and, much more
recently, the use of its coast as the ‘franja píratica’,
pirate fringe, at the institution of English marauders in
the 19th century. Nearly as lengthy as before, stressing
its idiosyncracy, was the introduction of a focus for economic
development, known as the Polo Quimico, chemical pole, for
its mineral and other industrial processes, during the 1970s.
Landscape
 For thousands of years a great flood would inundate the
river valleys of the Huelva coastline on a sometimes annual
basis. The
drop in the sea level, afterwards, suggests the initiation
of a littoral geographical dynamic system that would have
affected the marshes, sea currents and winds. Its actions
have created a coastal profile of distinct and different
ecoystems; beaches and dunes, which interact with the lakes
and ponds, and a feature of the Atlantic coast and especially
characteristic of the Huelva province, extensive marshlands,
or marismas. The landscape alters its behaviour as much
as at different times of the year as at different hours
of the day. At dusk and when the tide is low – ‘bajamar’,
lowtide – it is a beautiful sight to contemplate.
Then, as well, is the perfect time to observe the submergible
meadows of marine plants, and the seas of esparto grass.
The abundance of nutrition in the foodchain attracts an
important number of aquatic birds, either in migration
or to breed, among which the most prevalent are the little
tern, roseate spoonbill, and the flamingos. Likewise, man’s
presence here is ancestral, giving the region and given
its strategic position and its uses; mineral resources,
fish, and salt. Marisma del Odiel, one of the rivers that
join and form the estuary of Huelva, is for all of these
a singular space, which owns its declaration, among others,
to Anastasio Senra, ecologist and founder of the association
Andalus and to whom the Centro de Visitantes was dedicated
in tribute.
Gastronomy
The excellent
fish and seafood are the protagonists of
any meal here. But as well as the white prawns, the coquita
clams and the renowned chocos, cuttlefish, you can also
enjoy habas enzapatadas (broad beans in mint and lemon
juice), raya en pimentón (skate in paprika or cayenne
pepper), and tuna in the classic tomato sauce. For dessert,
try a hornazo, a traditional cake, often associated with
Easter, made with eggs and bread, and stuffed and drizzled
with a sweet confection known as cabello de ángel,
angel’s hair.
Artisan culture
The region maintains a tradition of cane basketwork, leather
goods, cane panelling, woodwork and harness making.
Situation
East of the city of Huelva, on the outskirts of the urban
zone. Area: 7,185 hectares. Altitude: Between zero and
3 metres above sea level. Average monthly temperatures:
11ºC (January) and 25ºC (August). Average annual
rainfall: 520 mm. Municipalities: Huelva, Gibraleón,
Aljaraque and Punta Umbría.
Activities
- 4x4 vehicle routes
- Boat excursions
- Horse riding
- Aquatic sports
- Bike touring
- Sport fishing
- Birdwatching, especially indicated in the network
of hides/observatories
|
About
Andalucía
A
mineral, saltpan and fishing heritage on one side,
and, on the other, a strategic position by the Atlantic
have for centuries attracted successive civilizations
to the area formed by and around the estuary and mouth
of the rio Odiel river. So much so that the archeological
remains found in Huelva are actually older than Spain
itself. Tartessians, firstly, then Phoenicians and
Greeks afterwards, and Romans especially, turned the
ancient province of Onuba, as Huelva was known, into
the richest and most populous settlement in what the
Romans named Hispania.
