Laguna del Laja National Park (Spanish pronunciation: [laˈɣuna ðel ˈlaxa]) is a national park of Chile located in the Andes, between 37°22’ and 37°28’ south latitude and 71°16’ and 71°26’ west longitude.[2]
| Laguna del Laja National Park | |
|---|---|
 Antuco volcano | |
 | |
| Location | Bío Bío Region, Chile |
| Nearest city | Los Ángeles |
| Coordinates | 37°25′00″S 71°21′00″W / 37.41667°S 71.35000°W |
| Area | 119 km2 |
| Established | 1958 |
| Visitors | 48,837[1] (in 2012) |
| Governing body | Corporación Nacional Forestal |
Geography
editThe park features spectacular mountain landscapes, whose main attractions are the Antuco Volcano, Sierra Velluda and Laguna del Laja (Laja Lake). The latter gives the name to this protected area, but it only borders the park. The park ranges in elevation from 976 m to 3585 m at Sierra Velluda.[2] Although a little snow caps Antuco volcano, much more snow adorns the two major summits of its southern neighbor, even during Chile’s summer. Sharp ridges and deep valleys carve this rugged region, which alternates between bare rock and lush vegetation.[3] Another summit in the park, although least prominent, is Cerro Cóndor at 1,668 m.[2]
The park forms part of the Bío Bío River basin. Some small tributaries of Laja River originate in the park.
Biology
editThe park lies within the Valdivian temperate forests ecoregion.[4]
It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the cougar and foxes (particularly the chilla and the culpeo). In the park have been identified 47 bird species.[5]
Endangered and rare vegetation species are found in the park. Among them are: ciprés de la cordillera, araucaria, maitén del Chubut and radal enano.[5]
Tourism
editSeveral activities can be performed within the boundaries of the park and in the surrounding area including climbing, trekking, skiing and fishing.
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One of the park's waterfalls -
in the park -
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Ice caves formed at the foot of the Sierra Velluda in summer.
References
edit- ^ National Forest Corporation: Estadística Visitantes 2012, 11 January 2013
- ^ a b c "Plan de Manejo Parque Nacional Laguna del Laja" (PDF). Documento de Trabajo. CONAF. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-11-05. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
- ^ "Cerro Antuco and Laguna de Laja, Chile". EO Newsroom: New Images. NASA. Archived from the original on 2007-07-15. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
- ^ Olson, D. M, E. Dinerstein; et al. (2001). "Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth". BioScience. 51 (11): 933–938. doi:10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0933:TEOTWA]2.0.CO;2.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Áreas Silvestres". Región del Bío Bío. Sernatur. Archived from the original on 2006-09-24. Retrieved 2006-11-24.