Alcalá de Henares is located in the eastern part of the Region of Madrid, 30 km from the capital. It covers an area of 88.8 km2 and is located in the Tajo Basin. As a cultural, historical and artistic reference, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Town development, which transformed following the foundation of Alcalá, has been rated by UNESCO as a model of the first University City of the Modern Age. One of the symbols of Alcalá de Henares is the white stork, perched atop the historical buildings in the town, and is one of the tourist attractions on the Stork Route around the historical and nature routes of the town.