Cordillera Central (Costa Rica) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cordillera Central |
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|---|---|
| Cordillera Volcánica Central | |
Crater of Irazú Volcano
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Irazú Volcano |
| Elevation | 3,432 m (11,260 ft) |
| Geography | |
Map of Cordillera Central
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| Country | Costa Rica |
| Parent range | Central America Volcanic Arc |
| Biome | Lowland tropical wet forest |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Quaternary |
The Cordillera Central is a chain of volcanoes and mountains in central Costa Rica. It stretches about 80 kilometers (50 miles) across the country. This mountain range is a very important part of Costa Rica's geography. It is known for its tall volcanoes and beautiful natural areas.
The Cordillera Central is part of a much larger mountain system. This system is called the American Cordillera. It forms a long "backbone" of mountains. This backbone runs along the western side of North America, Central America, South America, and even Antarctica!
Amazing Volcanoes
The Cordillera Central is home to four large and famous volcanoes. These are Poás, Barva, Irazú, and Turrialba.
- Poás Volcano is 2,708 meters (8,885 feet) tall. It is known for its active fumaroles. These are vents that release steam and gases from inside the Earth.
- Barva Volcano reaches 2,906 meters (9,534 feet) high. It has interesting hydrothermal activity. This means it has hot springs and other water features heated by the Earth's warmth.
- Turrialba Volcano stands at 3,340 meters (10,958 feet). Like Poás, it also shows fumarolic activity and releases gases.
- Irazú Volcano is the tallest of them all. It reaches an impressive 3,432 meters (11,260 feet) above sea level. Because it is so high, many national television and radio stations have their antennas on its summit. This makes it a key spot for telecommunications in Costa Rica.
South of this mountain range, you will find flat areas. These are part of the Costa Rican Central Valley. This valley was formed by movements in the Earth's crust.
Protected Natural Parks
All four main volcanoes in the Cordillera Central are protected. They are part of Costa Rica's national park system. This helps to preserve their unique natural beauty and wildlife.
- Poás Volcano National Park protects the Poás Volcano. Visitors can see the volcano's crater and its active fumaroles.
- Braulio Carrillo National Park includes the Barva Volcano. This park is a great place to explore its hot springs and lush forests.
- Irazú Volcano National Park is centered around the Irazú Volcano. It offers amazing views from the highest point in the range.
- Turrialba Volcano National Park protects the Turrialba Volcano. Here, you can observe the volcano's gas emissions and fumaroles.
These national parks are important for nature. They also offer great opportunities for people to learn about volcanoes and enjoy the outdoors.
See also
In Spanish: Cordillera Volcánica Central (Costa Rica) para niños
