The regions of Alicante and Murcia have a large number of protected areas, nature reserves and natural parks which make them very attractive natural tourist destinations. Some of its most outstanding natural spaces in terms of their ecological interest are: Salinas de Santa Pola: South of Santa Pola (Alicante), on the Mediterranean coast. Here there are areas for watching birds of great ecological and recreational interest: flamingos, marbled teal, shelducks, and many others. There are observatories and organized activities to enable you to make the most of the natural features of Salinas de Santa Pola. El Hondo: Marshland of extraordinary importance, not only in Spain but in Europe. Many different types of birds can be seen from the observatories. El Hondo lagoon, which is only 6 metres above sea level, is an ecological niche of enormous interest, declared a Nature Reserve, where species such as the purple heron or the flamingo can be observed. Isla de Tabarca: The Island of Tabarca is the only uninhabited island in the Region of Valencia. Declared a Marine Nature Reserve, it is renowned for its great seafood and fish. Surrounded by crystalline waters packed with natural riches, which lap one of the beaches awarded the E.U.’s blue flag. Now discover some more examples of nature which make Las Colinas – not only because of its location and landscape – a world apart: NATURE RESERVES IN THE PROVINCE OF MURCIA: NATURE RESERVES: Cabezo Gordo Cañón de los Almadenes Islas e Islotes del Litoral Mediterráneo Sierra del Carche Sierra La Muela-Cabo Tiñoso Sierra Salinas OTHER NATURE RESERVES: Saladares de Guadalentín Sotos y Bosques de la ribera de Cañaverosa REGIONAL PARKS: Cabo Cope y Puntas de Calnegre Carrascoy y El Valle Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar Sierra Espuña Sierra de la Pila Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas y Peña del Águila PROTECTED AREAS: Barrancos de Gebas Cuatro Calas Espacios Abiertos e Islas del Mar Menor Humedal del Ajauque y Rambla Salada Sierra de las Moreras NATURE RESERVES IN THE PROVINCE OF ALICANTE: NATURE RESERVES: Carrascar de la Font Roja El Hondo Llacunes de la Mata i Torrevieja Macizo de Montgó Marjal de Pego-Oliva Penyal D'Ifac Salines de Santa Pola Sierra de Mariola MUNICIPAL NATURE RESERVES: Arenal de l'Amorxó Racó de Sant Bonaventura-Canalons MARINE RESERVES: Cap de Sant Antoni Isla de Tabarca