El Palmar National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids El Palmar National Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 El Palmar National Park
Location in Argentina
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| Location | Entre Ríos Province, Argentina |
| Nearest city | Colón |
| Area | 85 km2 (33 sq mi) |
| Established | 1966 |
| Governing body | Administración de Parques Nacionales |
| Official name: Palmar Yatay | |
| Designated: | 6 May 2011 |
| Reference #: | 1969 |
El Palmar National Park is one of Argentina's special places, created to protect nature. It's located in the Entre Ríos Province, right in the middle-east of Argentina. This park is about 85 square kilometers big. It was officially opened in 1966.
The main reason this park was created was to protect its amazing palm trees. These are called Butia yatay palms, and they are very unique. The park is a mix of different natural areas, like open grasslands, small forests, and areas with lots of palm trees. Rivers and streams flow through the park, heading towards the Uruguay River.
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What Makes El Palmar Special?
El Palmar National Park is a great example of a temperate-humid savanna ecosystem. This type of environment is common in the Argentine Mesopotamia region. It means you'll find a mix of tall grasses and scattered trees.
The Amazing Yatay Palms
The most famous residents of the park are the yatay palm trees. These tall, slender palms give the park its name, "El Palmar," which means "The Palm Grove." They are a very important part of the local ecosystem. Protecting these palms helps many other plants and animals that rely on them.
Animals You Might See
El Palmar is home to many interesting animals. If you visit, you might spot some of these creatures:
- Woodpeckers: These birds are known for pecking holes in trees.
- Ñandús: These are large, flightless birds, similar to ostriches.
- Foxes: Clever and quick, foxes can often be seen hunting.
- Viscachas: These are cute, rabbit-like rodents that live in burrows.
- Capybaras: The largest rodents in the world, often found near water.
These animals all play a role in the park's healthy ecosystem.
Protecting El Palmar
El Palmar National Park is managed by the Administración de Parques Nacionales, which is Argentina's national parks administration. Their job is to make sure the park and its wildlife are kept safe for future generations.
The park is also recognized internationally as a Ramsar site. This means it's a wetland of international importance. This special status helps protect the park's water areas and the animals that depend on them. The Palmar Yatay Ramsar site was designated on May 6, 2011.
