Chiloé National Park

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Chiloé National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Abtao, Chiloé National Park
Location	Los Lagos Region, Chile
Nearest city	Chonchi
Area	431 km²
Established	1983
Governing body	Corporación Nacional Forestal

Chiloé National Park is a national park of Chile, located in the western coast of Chiloé Island, in Los Lagos Region (region of the lakes). It encompasses an area of 430.57 km² divided into two main sectors: the smallest, called Chepu, is in the commune of Ancud, whereas the rest, called Anay, is in the communes of Dalcahue, Castro and Chonchi. The greater portion of the Park is in the foothills of Chilean Coastal Range, known as the Cordillera del Piuchén. It includes zones of dunes, Valdivian temperate rain forests, swamps, and peat bogs. A small portion, Metalqui, is an islet with an area of 0.5 km². It is located between 42° 07' and 42° 13' south latitude and between 73° 55' and 74° 09' west longitude (see 42.10° S 74.02° W).

1 History
2 Climate
3 Flora
4 External links
5 References

[edit] History

Valdivian temperate rain forest

The park was created by Supreme Chilean Decree N° 734, in 1983. Its surface area has been reduced by more than 45 km² by populated land that was initially in the protected area.

[edit] Climate

The climate is wet and temperate, with average annual temperatures of 11 °C and abundant precipitation distributed uniformly throughout the year, varying according to the altitude. On the Pacific coast over 3,000 mm fall annually, while in the higher elevations of the Piuchén, nearly 5,000 mm fall, and on the rainshadowed eastern slopes, as little as 2,500 mm in annual precipitation is measured.

[edit] Flora

The predominant vegetation is the Valdivian forest, a dense forest formed by perennial trees, shrubs and climbing plants. The rainforests are made up of evergreen southern beech (Nothofagus), and some native conifers, including the magnificent alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides). Extensive bogs and swamps are found in the hills.