Sierra Cristal National Park

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Sierra Cristal National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Sierra Cristal National Park
Location of Sierra Cristal National Park in Cuba
Location of Sierra Cristal National Park in Cuba
Location Flag of Cuba Cuba
Nearest city Mayarí
Coordinates 20°32′31″N 75°28′34″W / 20.54194, -75.47611
Area 185.37 km² (71.6 sq mi)[1]
Established 1930[2]

Sierra Cristal National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Sierra Cristal) is a national park in Cuba. It is located in the southern part of the Holguín Province. It was the first National Park created in Cuba in 1930,[2] and covers an area of 185.37 km² (71.6 sq mi).[1]

It is located in the heights of Sierra Cristal (Cristal Mountains), one of the highest mountain range in Cuba (second only to Sierra Maestra). Cristal Peak (Pico Cristal) reaches an elevation of 1,300 m (4,265 ft). Sierra Cristal National Park lies in the municipalities of Mayarí and Sagua de Tánamo.

[edit] Conservation

The ranges are dominated by pine forests. Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea) can reach heights of 30 m (98 ft) in this area. The endangered Cuban Soledon can be found in Sierra Cristal.

A research center established in 1988 in Pinares de Mayarí monitors the ecology of the region.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b National Protected Areas System of Cuba. Protected Areas. Retrieved on 2007-10-10.
  2. ^ a b National Protected Areas System of Cuba. Antecedentes del Sistema Nacional de Areas Protegidas. Retrieved on 2007-10-10.
  3. ^ Radio Habana. Sierra Cristal: el primer parque nacional cubano. Retrieved on 2007-10-10. (Spanish)

Coordinates: 20°32′31″N 75°28′34″W / 20.54194, -75.47611 (Sierra Cristal)

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