51. Sumapaz Paramo National Park (Colombia)
Laguna Chisacá in the Parque Nacional Natural Sumapaz [ Photo by Philipp Weigell / CC BY 3.0 ]
Sumapaz Paramo (Spanish Páramo de Sumapaz – meaning "Utterly peaceful moorland") is a large páramo ecosystem located in the Altiplano Cundiboyacense mountain range, considered the largest páramo ecosystem in the world. It was declared a National Park of Colombia in 1977 because of its importance as a biodiversity hotspot and main source of water for the most densely populated area of the country, the Bogotá Savannah. Sumapaz Paramo was considered a sacred place for the Muisca aboriginal people. It was associated with the divine forces of creation and the origin of mankind, a domain where the humans were not supposed to enter. During the 16th century, German adventurer and conquistador Nikolaus Federmann conducted an expedition crossing the Sumapaz, searching for El Dorado mythic treasure, with heavy casualties. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)52. Tayrona National Natural Park (Colombia)
The Tayrona National Natural Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona) is a protected area in the Colombian northern Caribbean region and within the jurisdiction of the Department of Magdalena and some 34 km from the city of Santa Marta. The park presents a biodiversity endemic to the area of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range presenting a variety of climates (mountain climate) and geography that ranges from arid sea level to 900 meters above sea level. The park covers some 30 square kilometres of maritime area in the Caribbean sea and some 150 km² of land. It was the second most visited national park in Colombia in 2009, with 211.833 visitors. The most visited park was the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)53. Cotopaxi National Park (Ecuador)
Cotopaxi Volcano [ Photo by Gerard Prins / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Cotopaxi National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Cotopaxi) is a protected area in Ecuador situated in the Cotopaxi Province, Napo Province and Pichincha Province. The volcano that lends its name to the park is located within its boundaries. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)54. El Cajas (Ecuador)
Cajas National Park in Ecuador, near Cuenca. [ Photo by Delphine Ménard / CC BY-SA 2.0 FR ]The Parque Nacional Cajas (Cajas National Park) is a national park in the highlands of Ecuador. It is located about 30 km west from Cuenca, the capital of the province of Azuay. The area of 285.44 km² (28,544 ha) between 3100m and 4450m above sea level offers a tundra vegetation on a jagged landscape of hills and valleys. It was declared a National Park on November 5, 1996 by resolution N° 057. The name "Cajas" is derived from the Quichua word "cassa" meaning "gateway to the snowy mountains". or "caxa" (Quichua:cold).. It has also been linked to the Spanish word "cajas" (boxes). The highest point is the 4,450 m high Cerro Arquitectos (Architect's Hill). About 270 lakes and lagoons can be found in the páramo of Cajas. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)55. Kaieteur National Park (Guyana)
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana [ Photo by Bill Cameron / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Kaieteur National Park is a National Park located in the Potaro-Siparuni Region of Guyana. The Park's boundaries and purpose are defined in the Kaieteur National Park Act, and was created to preserve the natural scenery (including Kaieteur Falls), and its fauna and flora. The Act is administered by the Kaieteur National Park Commission. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)56. Huascarán National Park (Peru)
Taulliraju mountain in Huascarán National Park in Peru [ Photo by Florian Ederer / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Huascarán National Park. This park is the habitat of the Puya raimondi, the Cougar, the Jaguar, the Llama, the Guanaco, the Marsh Deer, the Peruvian Tapir, the Peruvian Piedtail, a hummingbird species, and many kinds of ducks including the Southern Pochard. Its protection was initially arranged by the Peruvian government in 1975 in order to safeguard flora and fauna, geological formations, archaeological remains (including relics of the Chavin culture), and the panoramic scenery of the Cordillera Blanca, and to encourage scientific research into the area's natural and cultural resources. Tourism is promoted in the area, making its protected status a source of wealth for its inhabitants and others. In 1985 the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Huascarán National Park is home to mountains ranging from 2000 to over 6000 m in height. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)57. Canaima National Park (Venezuela)
Canaima, Venezuela [ Photo by NileGuide.com / CC BY 2.0 ]Canaima National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Canaima) is a 30,000 km² park in south-eastern Venezuela that borders Brazil and Guyana. It is located in the state of Bolívar, and roughly occupies the same area as the Gran Sabana region. Pemons have developed some basic and luxurious camps, which are mainly visited by tourists from across the world. The park was established on the 12 June 1962. It is the second largest park in the country, after Parima-Tapirapecó and is the size of Belgium or Maryland. The most famous tepuis in the park are Mount Roraima, the tallest and easiest to climb, and Auyantepui, from which fall the Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. The tepuis are sandstone and date back to a time when South America and Africa were part of a super-continent. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)58. El Ávila National Park (Venezuela)
The El Ávila National Park (or Waraira Repano, from an indigenous name for the area) covers part of the mountainous region of the coastal area of north-central Venezuela. The area's highest elevation is Pico Naiguatá, at 2.765 meters above sea level (9.071 feet). The National Park is named for the Cerro El Ávila (Mountain El Ávila), usually just referred to as "El Ávila", which reaches 2.740 meters 8.990 feet above sea level. This mountain rises north of the capital Caracas located in a narrow valley 950 meters (3115 feet) above sea level and separates the city from the Caribbean Sea. The mountain is accessible by cable car (teleferico), by off road vehicle or on foot. El Ávila National Park is located along the central stretch of the Cordillera de la Costa Mountains in northern Venezuela. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)59. Henri Pittier National Park (Venezuela)
Henri Pittier National Park, Venezuela. [ Photo by Dragondeluz / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Henri Pittier National Park was created in 1937 and is the oldest of Venezuela's national parks. It is famous for its birdlife. Its eco-systems vary with altitude. The park was first called Rancho Grande, but was re-named Henri Pittier in recognition of the Swiss biologist who was instrumental in its foundation. Henri Pittier arrived in Venezuela in 1917, and classified more than 30 thousand species of plants in the country and he decided to dedicate some years in studying the flora and fauna in the area of the current park. Henri Pittier was the one who started Venezuelan National Park history. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)60. Médanos de Coro National Park (Venezuela)
Parque Nacional Los Médanos de Coro is located in the state of Falcón, Venezuela, near the city of Coro on the road that leads to Paraguaná. The National Park was created in 1974. The Médanos park lies on the Isthmus of Médanos and covers 91.280 hm² of desert and coastal habitat, including salt marshes. The massive sand dunes, known as Médanos, spread over an area of approximately 5 by 30 kilometers. They can reach 40 meters in height and are constantly transformed by the unrelenting wind. Rainfall is rare, thus flora consists of little more than thorny shrubs. Fauna is likewise scarce; the park is home mainly to lizards, rabbits, anteaters, foxes, pigeons and kestrels. Visitors can wander amongst the dunes by camel (imported many years ago), and the park is easily reached by bus or taxi from Coro. (based on a wikipediaarticle / cc by-sa)61. Mochima National Park (Venezuela)
A picture of Mochima park from the hills of Los Altos de Santa Fe [ Photo by Chuck Huber / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Mochima National Parkis located in the States of Anzoátegui and Sucre (state), on the northeastern coast of Venezuela. The park covers 94,935 hectares and is made up of an exclusively marine area in its western sector (Anzoátegui State), a coastal marine area that includes the Gulf of Santa Fé and Mochima Bay, and a mountainous area that covers the Turimiquire Dam watershed (Sucre State). Mochima Park was created to protect the montane forests of the Turimiquire Range and the country's eastern Caribbean Sea marine landscapes, which are exceptionally beautiful. However, this is one of the most threatened parks in Venezuela. Recently two large construction projects have been in motion which are altering the park permanently. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)62. Morrocoy National Park (Venezuela)
Morrocoy National Park [ Photo by ¡Fgz! / CC BY-SA 2.0 ]Morrocoy National Park is located in the northwest of Venezuela, between the towns of Tucacas and Chichiriviche, at the south east part of Falcón. Its continental and sea areas include mountains, shoreline, mangrove swamps, coral reefs and little islands called “Cayos”. It has a surface area of 32,090 hectares. It was declared national park by the Venezuelan government on 26 May 1974 in order to protect it from human intervention. Flora and Fauna are considered to be very important by local administration. It is a nature reserve and a tourist attraction. People go there mostly on weekends and holidays to have beach days, see the landscape, do some water sports, etc. People can take their private boats or pay for a boat service to stroll around and get to the "cayos". (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)All images, which were originally posted to the author page, were reviewed on November 25, 2010.
On this date, all images were verified available under the license as specified below the images.
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On this date, all images were verified available under the license as specified below the images.
During the verification process, a log file has been created & pages have been saved for records.
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