Costa Ártabra facts for kids
The Costa Ártabra, also known as the Golfo Ártabro, is a special coastal area in Galicia, Spain. It's like a big bay or gulf on the northwestern tip of the country. This area is found between two other famous coastlines: the Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) and the Rías Altas (Upper Estuaries).
The Costa Ártabra is quite wide, stretching about 5,800 meters (about 3.6 miles) across. It's also deep, reaching 5,600 meters (about 3.5 miles) at the mouth of the River Mero, near Santa Cristina beach. Several rivers flow into this gulf, including the River Mero, River Mendo, and River Mandeo.
Long ago, the ancient Romans knew this place well. They called it Portus Magnus Artaborum, which means "Great Port of the Artabri". A Roman historian named Pomponius Mela wrote about it in the year AD 43. This shows how important this coastal area has been for a very long time!
A Special Place for Nature
The Costa Ártabra is not just a beautiful coastline; it's also a protected natural area. It has been named a "Special Area of Conservation". This means it's a place where important plants and animals are protected.
Home to Unique Wildlife
One of the rare creatures found here is the Kerry Slug. This special slug is not found in many places around the world. Protecting areas like the Costa Ártabra helps ensure that unique species like the Kerry Slug can continue to thrive.
