Huelva is located on the Costa de la Luz and lies between Sevilla Province to the east, Portugal to the west, and the region of Extremadura to the north. Its 120 km of beautiful golden sands with dunes and pine forests, as well as its small seaside towns make the province popular with tourists. The province is world-famous for being the starting point of Christopher Colombus and the three caravels when he left on his first voyage to the New World. The southern area is probably best known for its natural reserve, called the Coto Doñana. Its landscape is a mixture of beaches, coastal mobile dunes, humid forests and salty marshes. The National Park of Doñana has an enormous ecological significance as it is home to many endangered species ( iberian lynx, imperial eagle, mongoose..) and migratory birds. Nearby is Almonte, location of the hamlet of El Rocio, north of the Doñana reserve. This is the site of a pilgrimage that draws over a million people. The city of Huelva is located on the ample mouth of the Rio Odiel. The original town goes back to prehistory. It was conquested by the Turdestans, the Tartessians, the Phoenicians and the Moors. Alfonso X the Wise conquered Huelva in 1297. Monuments of interest include the 15C Church of San Pedro, built on the site of a mosque, the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Cinta, patroness of the city. The promenade of Las Palmeras de Santa Fe is one of the most beautiful spots in Huelva.