The Atlantic coastline

 What are the characteristics of the Atlantic coastline?

The Cantabrian coast includes the coastlines of the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and part of Galicia. The coastline is straight with high, rocky cliffs. There are some sandy beaches and coastal inlets called rías. There are also wave-cut platforms, which are flat, sloping areas of rock, found at the base of a sea cliff.

Wave cut platform (rasa mareal)

The Galician Atlantic coast is irregular with rocky cliffs. There are several wide, deep rías. The Rías Altas are north of Cape Fisterra and the Rías Bajas are south of Cape Fisterra. The rías were formed when the sea flooded the valleys of the foothills of the Galician Massif.

The Andalusian Atlantic coast stretches from the mouth of the Guadiana River to the Strait of Gibraltar. The coastline is straight, with long, flat, sandy beaches and sand dunes. There are coastal wetlands near the Guadalquivir Depression, which is the lowest region in Spain. These are low-lying areas filled with salt water and sediments brought in by the tide.

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