Natal, the "City of the Sun". Natal spoils its visitors with around 300 days of sunshine a year. Fantastic beaches and a huge dune landscape make the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, located at the mouth of the Rio Potengi ("Rio Grande") river, a popular travel destination. The fortress Forte dos Reis Magos, which was built by the Portuguese in 1598, is the city's landmark and oldest building. In the shape of a five-pointed star, it is located on Praia da Forte. The Natal coast is famous for its sand dunes. The Praia Ponta Negra with the 120 meter high sand dune Morro do Careca is another
Landmark of Natal. The snow-white Farol de Mãe Luiza lighthouse, 37 meters high, is enthroned on the sand dunes. South of the lighthouse is the Parque das Dunas Conservation Area, established in 1977 as Rio Grande do Norte's first conservation area and the second largest urban forest area in Brazil. North and south of Natal there are both lonely and busy beaches and fishing villages. Here are in particular
the dunes of Genipabu famous.