Madrid to Rio de Janeiro

This satellite image shows the Guadalquivir River snaking its way to the Atlantic. The river has carved valleys through the landscape and its marshy delta has been made into a nature preserve.

Map showing in colour the extent of the Guadalquivir Basin. The river and its tributaries drains an area almost twice the size of Belgium.

From the air, it is clear to see how Seville has developed around the Guadalquivir River - the city's lifeline.

The Puente de Triana is one of the most famous bridges in Seville. It connects the east and west of Seville across the Guadalquivir River.

The sun sets over the Port of Seville. Located 50 kilometres inland, this is one of the largest inland ports in Europe.

The Guadalquivir is the focal point of Seville, and the reason the city was established here.

The Guadalquivir River is the only major navigable river in Spain and is served by Seville's port for most of the import and export in Andalusia.

The Port of Seville is the country's only major inland port, handling more than five million tonnes of cargo each year.

Building work still underway along the banks of the Guadalquivir River as Seville continues to grow.

Bridges cross over the Guadalquivir River linking the east and west districts of Seville.

c. 1600 - This map depicts the three Andalusian cities of Malaga, Cadiz and Sevilla. The Guadalquivir River is clearly the focal point of Seville in this image, as the most important feature of the city.

The Port of Seville is equipped with enough storage space to adequately handle the large volumes of cargo which pass through each year.

The Guadalquivir River lit up during the evening. The Cartuja Monastery can be seen in the background.

c. 1933 - Alcazar Gardens. Under constant ownership since it was first built, the Alcazar has benefitted from additions and redesigns.

The Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza is one oldest bullrings in Spain, and is home to the largest sand circle (the rueda).

Moorish designs such as this are present across Seville, dating from when the city was under Arab rule from the 8th to the 13th century.

1906 - Torre de Oro (with Cathedral in distance). This military watchtower was built when the city was under Arab rule, and displays classic Moorish design.

The Seville Cathedral is adorned with gothic-style engravings. Construction on the cathedral began in 1420, and when it was finished it was the largest cathedral in the world.

c. 1933 - The Alcazar, Seville. The Alcazar was originally a Moorish fort but is now used by the Spanish Royal Family as their official residence.

c. 1933 - The Giralda is a former minaret converted into a bell tower for the Seville Cathedral.

Even when this map was made in 1775, Seville had existed in its location for more than 17 centuries.

The Seville Cathedral is the third largest cathedral in the world. It was built during the Renaissance and reflects a unique gothic-style architecture.

c. 1933 - Seville, the Alcazar. The mix of architectural styles in the Alcazar reflect the different civilisations that have occupied Seville since it was built.

The tightly packed rooftops of Seville reveal how the city has grown over 2,000 years as new buildings have been built beside and on top of older ones.

c. 1933 - Seville, interior of the cathedral. The cathedral has 80 chapels. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.

c. 1933 - Seville, the Alcazar. This Moorish fort has been occupied for more than a thousand years in the heart of Seville.

A procession ends inside the Basilica de la Macarena in Seville. Seville holds some of the most elaborate Holy Week celebrations in the world.

An elaborate paso depicts the Virgin Mary in one of Seville's Semana Santa processions at the Seville Cathedral.

A marching band leads one of the processions during Semana Santa, or Holy Week, in Seville.

One of the lifesized wooden sculptures carried in the processions during Semana Santa in Seville.

Participants in the processions for Semana Santa often bear wooden crosses or wear shackles on their feet as penance.

More than 60 processions take place in Seville during Semana Santa. Each procession carries pasos like this - life-sized wooden sculptures depicting scenes from the crucifiction of Christ.

Participants in the Semana Santa procession wear the nazareno, or penitential robe. The conical hood is called the capirote and is used to conceal the face of the wearer during penance.

Bull fighting is central to the Feria de Abril celebrations and is held in the oldest bullring in Spain, La Real Maestranza.

Women in traditional and vibrant flamenco dresses at Feria de Abril.

Tents known as casetas line the streets during Feria de Abril. They are often privately owned by families or friends who use them to party night-long during the fair.

Women dance the traditional Sevillana flamenco in a caseta during Feria de Abril.

Traditional horse and carriage parades through the streets of Seville during Feria de Abril.

A horse-drawn carriage takes Sevillianas in traditional dress through the streets of Seville during the Feria de Abril.