V REGION: NATIONAL PARKS

NATIONAL PARKS V REGION

LA CAMPANA NATIONAL PARK

It is located at 32 km. southeast of Quillota. In 1977, this National Park was declared Biosphere National Reservation by UNESCO, since it represents a scientific heritage for the Earth.

Archaeological aspects: The most important vestiges are the "marai", which are stones cut by the ancient natives, who used them for grinding rocks and thus obtain minerals, specially copper. These rocks can be seen in the area of Los Peumos, Granizo section. In the Ocoa section you can sight archaeological traces, such as mortars, grinding instruments, and "tácitas" stones in the area of La Buitrera Ravine.

Historical aspects: A series of structures built in ancient times ware discovered in Ocoa Valley. These correspond to ovens in which coal was produced, and ovens in which honey was boiled.

Chilean palm trees are the typical vegetation of the Ocoa section.

The typical birds that you can find here are: partridges, eaglets, owls, humming birds, thrushes, etc.

JUAN FERNANDEZ ARCHIPELAGO NATIONAL PARK

It is located at 674 km. from the continent, in the Pacific Ocean.

The Archipelago has been declared a National Park by the Chilean Government and Biosphere National Reservation as a heritage for mankind (UNESCO 1977), because the highest concentration of flora and fauna endemic species can be found here.

Superficies: 18,300 hectares, of which 9,300 correspond to Robinson Crusoe Island, 8,500 hectares to Alejandro Selkirk Island, and 500 hectares to Santa Clara Island.

History: During the 17 and 18 centuries, the islands were visited by corsairs who used them as shelters.

The Archipelago became a world legend after the publication of the book "The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" (1719) by Daniel Defoe. He based on the adventures of Alejandro Selkirk, a Scottish sailor who lived in the island for 4 years.

Fishes: The sea here is ideal for fishing and practicing submarine sports. The water is considerably warmer and more transparent than that of the continental coast, because the Archipelago is out of the influence of the Humboldt current. In addition to the traditional lobster, you can also find here a great variety of fishes: vidriolas, flying fishes, modemas, codfishes, rock salmons, pampanitos, etc.

Flora: It is characterized for being almost completely native and exclusive of this place, for instance: Chonta palm tree, naranjillo, Juan Fernández cinnamon tree and apple tree, michay, myrtle, sándalo (which is almost extinguished) and many arboreal and climbing ferns.

Fauna: - birds: red hummingbirds and "rayaditos". - mammals: mostly introduced species, such as goats, rabbits and rats; it also possible to find marine mammals like "de dos pelos" seals, and marine elephants. Herds of marine wolves and flocks of marine birds (fardelas) inhabit the little bays, without fearing to man.

Gastronomy: The typical dishes of the Island are cebiche (raw fish marinated in lemon juice and cut into pieces), peroé and lobster-based food.

Handcrafting: Island inhabitants work with wood (crosses and sándalo, chonta and coral medallions) and marine shells (collars, bracelets and rings).

You can get access this place by plane, including a land and a sea trip to get to Cumberland Bay, the only town of the Archipelago.

RAPA NUI NATIONAL PARK (EASTER ISLAND)

It is located at 3,700 km. from the continent, in the Pacific Ocean. You can get access to this Island only by plane. LanChile offers regular flights three times a week.

Hanga Roa Town is the Capital of the Island. The main characteristic attractions of this place are the petroglyphs and the moais, which are enormous sculptures ( more than 10 m. height and 50 thousand kg.) carved in volcanic stone. You can travel the Island by car, by motorcycle, by horse or on foot. To get a perspective view of it, you can rent a boat and go to surrounding islets. For those who love adventures, you can also practice scuba diving and discover the wonderful submarine world of its coast.

Rapa Nui National Park was created in 1935. It has a superficies of 6,666 hectares and comprises almost a third part of the Island.

History: According to the legend, the "World s Navel" was discovered approximately more than a thousand years ago, after the arrival of an expedition led by the Ariki Hotu Matua, coming from the distant Polynesia. Ariki Hotu Matua was the chief of the Maorí tribe, who were running away from a cataclysm in Marae Island, in Hiva.

For the Western world, Easter Island was discovered in 1722 by Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutch navigator, on Easter day.

Relief and weather: Volcanic origin and triangular shape land. It has an approximate superficies of 162 km² . The Island has a sinuous and arid relief, because this is a volcanic zone. It has a maritime weather with subtropical characteristics; warm and temperate with rain during all the year. Summer rains are frequently short and strong (cloudbursts). A single day can be rainy, sunny and cloudy. In winter, the rainfalls are very light, but continuous and prolonged.

Vegetation: The vegetation of the Island is scarce and mainly characterized by relatively dense prairies.

Flora: The native flora concentrates mainly in the crater of Rano Kau Volcano, where some native species can be found (mako i, mahute, noa oho, hau-hau and some ferns). It is also possible to find in some places toromiro trees (sophora toromiro), an endemic species which is extinguished since 1962.

Fauna: The Island s fauna is constituted by introduced mammals species and birds like tiuques, sparrows, diucas, partridges (vi-vi), and domestical birds like mao-gallina, a species brought to the island by King Hotu Matua.

Among the marine birds that nest during certain seasons in the cliffs or islets (motu), we can find: makohe, kena sula dactylatra, kima, and the manutara, which is related to the Bird-man cult (Hombre pájaro).

Its marine fauna is diverse and abundant. It represents an important supply and a handcrafting resource. There are around of 126 fish species. Here you can taste lobsters and other exotic sea products.

Services: International telecommunications, an airport for large planes, mail, a modern hospital, and churches. It also has hotels and boarding houses. You can taste diverse and exotic food.

 

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