An exceptional destination for nature tourism
But the province of Cádiz is much more than bea-
ches. It possesses exceptional qualities for nature
tourism, with the main incentive’s for visiting being
observation, appreciation, enjoyment and contact
with nature and the culture linked to it. The provin-
ce of Cádiz offers a natural heritage of unmatched
size and diversity. 34% of its surface (more than 300
thousand hectares) are included in the Natura 2000
European Ecological Network: 43 protected areas, 6
of them Natural Parks, 3 Biosphere Reserves and 6
Ramsar wetlands. This extensive heritage gives rise
to a huge diversity of natural environments. From
seabed’s to mountain peaks, from pristine beaches
and coastal dunes, to holm oak and cork oak forests,
from salt marshes to inland wetlands.
It is a natural heritage that is also widely distribu-
ted throughout the territory: 39 of the 45 municipali-
ties within the province have at least one protected
natural area. If the different landscapes in the pro-
vince have a common factor, one which connects its
different territorial areas (coasts, countryside, moun-
tains ...) lending structure and cohesion to the terri-
tory, it’s the network of protected natural spaces.
From East to West, from North to South, from the
Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the province can be
traversed via its protected spaces. For any traveller
who journeys through it, nature will be a constant
element, a common theme throughout their trip.
This extensive natural wealth is united by a cul-
tural, material and intangible heritage, closely linked
to the use of natural resources, allowing a direct and
coherent connection between the two. To unders-
tand these cultural links the natural resources used
in the area’s natural spaces such as cork, pineapple
or salt are processes that must also be considered.
This offers great potential to help reinforce and com-
plement the areas nature tourism, with activities
linked to rural historical heritage and the traditional
uses of the provinces’ land (forest tourism, agrotou-
rism, fishing tourism, agricultural industrial tourism
...), thereby highlighting to the visitor the importance
of contact with nature.
On the other hand, compared to the limited sea-
sonality of nature tourism in other areas of Europe
and the world, and more specifically the areas from
which the majority of this tourist segment travel
28
from, the province of Cádiz has more than three
thousand hours of sun a year, more than triple that
of northern Europe, together with mild temperatures,
tempered both in summer and winter by its proximity
to the sea. In other words, a climate that allows na-
ture activities all year round.
But if there is one thing that makes the province
of Cádiz unique, is its very location. Few places in
the world are so well positioned on the global map
– simultaneously the gateway to Africa, Europe,
the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, as it has been
throughout history. This not only gives the area glo-
bal fame but also a strong symbolic character. The
Straits were, and still are, one of the busiest places
in the world, not just for human beings and com-
mercial trade, but also and above all else, for the
passage of birds and marine species on their seaso-
nal migratory flows, making the province of Cádiz an
exceptional setting and a unique place in the world
to observe these natural processes.
A place of constant movement and interchange
as well as convergence and merger, reflected in a
culture that has resulted from a blend of other cultu-
res throughout history as well as its natural heritage.
The location of the province of Cadiz between two
seas and two continents has resulted in a conver-
gence of different biogeographical areas and geo-
logical process, demonstrated by its high level of
biodiversity. Evidence of this is the creation of the
Andalusia-Morocco Intercontinental Biosphere Re-
serve of the Mediterranean, highlighting the impor-
tance of this global environmental juncture.
In short, due to its privileged location, its favou-
rable climate, its natural and cultural diversity, its
extensive natural spaces and the natural exchange
processes it houses, the province of Cádiz boasts ex-
ceptional conditions as a nature destination for tou-
rists, together with an ability to offer a great range
of activities that are adaptable to each season and
to each visitor.
Nature tourism for sustainable development
Nature tourism is an important tool for sustaina-
ble local development, while also contributing to the
conservation and dissemination of natural and cultu-
ral heritage. As this type of tourism is well suited to
the area, nature tourism can promote decentralised
economic development that is distributed throughout
OTWO 09 / APRIL 2020
OTWO 09 / APRIL 2020
29