La Guajira Desert facts for kids
The La Guajira Desert is a dry, sandy area in northern Colombia and Venezuela. It's about 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) north of Bogotá, covering most of the La Guajira Peninsula. This desert is at the very top of South America. It's also the biggest desert north of the equator on the continent! Most of this desert is in Colombia's La Guajira Department, but a small part reaches into the Venezuelan state of Zulia.
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About the La Guajira Desert
This desert is a very important place. It has huge amounts of coal hidden underground. This coal is dug up in a special area called El Cerrejón. The desert is also home to the Wayuu people, who are an indigenous group.
The Wayuu People
The Wayuu people have lived in the La Guajira Desert for a very long time. They are mostly herders, which means they raise animals like goats and sheep. But they are also amazing deep-sea divers! They are well-known for diving into the Caribbean Sea to collect beautiful pearls.
Plants and Animals of the Desert
Even though it's a desert, the La Guajira Peninsula has a special type of plant life called xeric scrubland. This means it's covered in tough bushes and small trees that can survive with very little water. This unique environment is home to many different kinds of plants and animals that have adapted to the dry conditions.
Macuira National Park: An Oasis
In the middle of the La Guajira Desert, there's a special place called the National Natural Park of Macuira. It was created in 1977 to protect this unique area. The park is like a tropical oasis because it's located in the only mountain chain in La Guajira.
The Macuira Park covers about 25,000 hectares (62,000 acres). Its altitude ranges from sea level all the way up to 450 meters (1,476 feet). Even though it's in a desert, the park has a warm climate, with an average temperature of about 27°C (81°F). This park is a vital spot for many desert creatures and plants.
See also
- In Spanish: Desierto de La Guajira para niños
