Maspalomas Sand Dunes

This unique landscape of the Maspalomas Sand Dunes stretches over 5.3 miles (8.5 km) to an over 100-year-old lighthouse. The sight of the endless, gold-yellow glistening mountains of sand give the viewer the impression that s/he is standing in the desert of Africa. The picture is completed by camels on whom tourists ride through the area. The sand of the more than 32-ft (10 m) high dunes was not blown over from the Sahara - as often presumed – but has maritime origins; it is made of finely grind... lime shells of mussels.
The area became a protected area due to its unusual vegetation. The stringent regulation in conjunction with it came just in time for the nearby lagoon lake Lagunensee (La Charca de Maspalomas) – it nearly fell victim to the building boom. Numerous migratory birds use the oasis of palms around the lake as their resting place. The nature conservatory, which today includes the dunes, lagoon lake and palm grove is unique on the the Canary Islands. more

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