El Portil and Nuevo Portil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
El Portil and Nuevo Portil
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El Rompido Arrow
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Location in the Province of Huelva
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 El Portil and Nuevo Portil
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
| Province | Huelva |
| Comarca |  Andalusia |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | Summer: 28,000 inhabitants Rest of the year: 2,400 inhabitants |
| Demonym(s) | Portileño/a |
| Time zone | CET |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST |
| Postal code |
21459
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El Portil and Nuevo Portil are two lovely coastal areas in southern Spain. They are located in the Province of Huelva, which is part of the Andalusia region. Even though they are right next to each other, separated only by a street called Laguna Seca, they are actually managed by two different local governments!
People often think of them as two parts of the same town. El Portil is looked after by the municipality of Punta Umbría. Nuevo Portil is managed by the Cartaya municipality.
During most of the year, about 2,400 people live here. But in the summer, these areas become super popular! The population can jump to around 28,000 people. Most visitors come from other parts of Spain, like Huelva, Seville, Badajoz, and Madrid. Some also come from the Basque Country and Galicia. Visitors from other countries, like the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, often prefer to visit during the quieter seasons like autumn, winter, and spring.
The main activity here is tourism. El Portil and Nuevo Portil share a beautiful beach that is about 4 kilometers long. Inland, there's a special lake called Laguna del Portil, which is important for nature.
Contents
History of El Portil
How the Area Grew
El Portil was officially recognized as a "Center of National Tourist Interest" in 1963. This meant it was a special place for tourism. The area was first known as "Monte común de Abajo".
Later, in the 1990s, the municipality of Cartaya decided to develop its own part of the area. This is how Nuevo Portil was created. Before this, in 1963, Punta Umbría had separated from Cartaya. This separation led to the unique situation where El Portil and Nuevo Portil share the same physical space but have different local governments.
Beaches and Nature
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El Portil beach at twilight
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Lagoon of El Portil
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Flamingos at Laguna de El Portil
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Nuevo Portil golf course
Golden Sands and Calm Waters
The beach of El Portil and Nuevo Portil is a lovely golden sand beach. It's part of the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light). This beach is shared by the two municipalities, Cartaya and Punta Umbría.
The beach stretches for about 4 kilometers. Its width changes with the tides. It has been given the Blue Flag award, which means it's clean and safe. The sea here is usually calm, making it great for swimming.
Natural Wonders Nearby
The fine golden sand of the beach is near where the Piedras River meets the sea. Part of the beach is opposite the Flecha de El Rompido, a sand spit that grows about eighty meters each year.
Close to the beach is the Laguna de El Portil. This lagoon is a protected natural area, meaning it's very important for wildlife. To the east, the beach connects with Playa de La Bota. Most of the beach area is developed and easy to reach, with some spots even accessible for people with disabilities.
Historical Note
During World War II, some old bunkers were built near the coast of Huelva. These were meant to protect the area. You can still find traces of them today. A historical event called Operation Mincemeat also took place near El Portil beach in 1943.
Protected Natural Zones
In El Portil, there are two important protected natural areas: Los Enebrales and the Laguna de El Portil. These places are home to unique plants and animals.
Life in El Portil and Nuevo Portil
Sports and Activities
In the El Portil area, which is part of Punta Umbría, you can find a public sports center. It has many facilities like two football courts, a basketball court, tennis courts, paddle courts, and a well-equipped gym.
In the Nuevo Portil area, managed by Cartaya, there are public tennis courts and a soccer field made of "albero." Albero is a special compressed colored sand, similar to what you see in bullfighting arenas.
Living Styles and Communities
Life in El Portil and Nuevo Portil is generally relaxed. Even though they are so close, they have slightly different vibes. El Portil feels a bit more like a town, with more shops and places to have fun. Nuevo Portil feels more like the countryside, with fewer shops and restaurants, making it quieter.
People live in different types of communities or condominiums. Some of the larger ones include Entrepinos Urbanization in Nuevo Portil, and Playas del Sur or Puntamar in El Portil. These names can help you find your way around.
In El Portil, you'll mostly find apartments and flats. In Nuevo Portil, there are more cottages and villas. There's a friendly competition between people from both areas. They might joke about whose beach has finer sand or whose area is quieter. But everyone enjoys the same climate, sea, and friendly atmosphere.
Local Celebrations
The fair of El Portil and Nuevo Portil usually happens in mid-August. Both the Punta Umbría and Cartaya city councils organize it. It's becoming more popular every year. Also, on the night of San Juan, from June 23rd to 24th, people celebrate on the beach.
Health and Travel
Health Services
The area has a public health center in El Portil, which is part of the Punta Umbría administrative area. There are also two pharmacies. One is near the health center, and the other is about 300 meters away in Nuevo Portil, which is part of the Cartaya administrative area. For very serious emergencies, doctors might suggest going to the Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital in Huelva, which is a larger hospital.
See also
In Spanish: El Portil para niños
