Huascarán National Park
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Criteria | Natural: vii, viii |
| Reference | 333 |
| Inscription | 1985 (9th Session) |
| Huascarán National Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ancash, Peru |
| Area | 3400 km² |
| Established | July 1, 1975 |
Huascarán National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Huascarán) is a national park in the Cordillera Blanca, a range of the Andes, in Ancash of central Peru. It was also pronounced as Natural Heritage of Humanity and recognised as Reserve of Biosphere Core. The highest snow-covered mountain is here (whose name is also Huascarán and is 6,768 meters tall). 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.
The National Park Huascarán is located in the provinces of Huaylas, Yungay, Carhuaz, Huaraz, Recuay, Bolognesi, Pomabamba, Huari, Marshall Luzuriaga and Asunción, in the Region Áncash and on the White Mountain range, which is the highest tropical mountain range of the world. It was established as National Park in 1 975 and declared Natural Patrimony of the Humanity by the UNESCO in 1 985. The park protects one of the more surprising ecosystems from high mountain of the world: 663 glaciers, 269 lakes and 41 rivers, as well as numerous mountains, 26 of which overcome 6 000 meters high. In his interior they find refuge an abundant and varied flora and wild fauna, composed for next to 800 species of plants and several dozens of animals. The park is, also, a stage of 33 archaeological places preíncas, as Wilcahuaín, and hearth of dozens of rural communities that they speak the Quechuan and practise the agriculture and the cattle using traditional skills.
Protected status
In 1985 the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 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.
Physical environment
Huascarán National Park is home to mountains ranging from 2000 to over 6000 m in height. Huascarán, the mountain from which the park takes its name, is the highest in Peru at 6768 m, and rises above nearby peaks such as Alpamayo and Pisco.
The park's 3,000 km² contain 663 glaciers, 296 lakes and 41 tributaries of three important rivers: the Santa, Pativilca and Marañón.
Climate
The climate of the park is characterised by two stages during the year. This depends on two major factors: the warm, humid winds from the Amazon Basin, which generate abundant rain between December and March; and a pronounced dry period between May and October, with sunny days that reach 25 °C and nights of intense cold during which temperatures can drop below 0 °C, and well below that at higher altitudes.
Flora and fauna
The park is home to considerable biodiversity, with over 779 species of high Andean plants and 112 species of birds having been identified, including the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), the Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata), and the Puna Tinamou (Tinamotis pentlandii). Amongst mammals, more than ten species have been observed, several of them endangered, such as the Colocolo (Oncifelis colocolo), the Andean Cat (Oreailurus jacobita), the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), Peruvian Guemal (Hippocamelus antisensis), and the Vicuña (Vicugna vicugna).
Activities
It is possible to walk among mountains of over 6000 m in height without being an experienced mountaineer, although there are peaks which attract the most dedicated climbers. As well as this, ecotourism, horse riding, skiing and guided archaeological excursions are all popular.
External links
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