Queulat National Park
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| Queulat National Park | |
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| IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
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| Location | Aisén Region, Chile |
| Nearest city | Puerto Puyuhuapi |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | 1,541 km² |
| Established | 1983 |
| Visitors | 6,195 (in 2004) |
| Governing body | Corporación Nacional Forestal |
Queulat National Park is a national park of Chile located in the Aisén Region. It covers an area of 1,541 square kilometres.
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[edit] Park geography
Local relief is dominated by the Patagonian Andes, with some elevations greater than 2000 m above sea level. A portion of the Puyuhuapi Volcanic Group form part of the park, specifically the area south of the Lake Risopatrón. The park comprises two small ice fields, with glaciers of up to 12 km long. One, the Queulat ice cap (about 80 km²), is centered at , and is at an elevation of 1,889 m. The other (about 40 km²) is centered at an unnamed summit at , at an elevation of 2,255 m.[1] This area borders the northernmost part of the Puyuhuapi Channel called Ventisquero Sound. The park's centerpiece is the Queulat Hanging Glacier. Other attractions are the Queulat Sound, Father García and The Cóndor Falls, and Cat's Stone. [2]
[edit] Flora
A characteristic feature of this park is the presence of Valdivian temperate rain forests. Various portions of the park receive up to 4,000 mm (157 inches) of precipitation annually.[3] In this wet environment typical trees include coihue and tepa. The understory vegetation is comprised of species such as tepú, quila, chilco and nalca (a plant with enormous leaves). The Carretera Austral runs through the middle of the park and includes a sector of hairpin turns, a place where it is possible to appreciate vegetation changes due to differences of elevation.[2]
[edit] Fauna
Between the South and North Mountain pass, there are different fauna like Pudú, Kodkod, Chucao Tapaculo, Hummingbird, Chilean Pigeon, Magellanic Woodpecker, Black-throated Huet-huet and Thorn-tailed Rayadito. In the near-shore environment fauna includes Magellan Goose, Southern River Otter, Coypu, Chiloe Wigeon, Yellow-billed Pintail, Red Shoveler, Flying Steamer Duck, Rosybill, Red-gartered Coot, Ringed Kingfisher, Great Egret, White-necked Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Torrent Duck, Sedge Wren, Chilean Flicker, Black-necked Swan and four eyes toad (Pleurodema thaul).[3][2]
[edit] References
[edit] External link
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