Mochima National Park Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Mochima National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)

Mochima National Park Location in Venezuela
Location	Sucre (state), Venezuela
Nearest city	Cumaná
Area	949,35 km²
Established	December 19, 1973
Visitors	~ 500,000 (in 2005)
Governing body	INPARQUES

Blanca Beach

Mochima National Park is a beautiful natural area in Venezuela. It is located on the northeastern coast, across the states of Anzoátegui and Sucre. This special park covers 94,935 hectares. It includes ocean areas, coastal zones like the Gulf of Santa Fé, and mountains.

The park was created to protect the forests of the Turimiquire Mountains. It also keeps the amazing Caribbean Sea marine landscapes safe.

However, Mochima National Park faces some challenges. New construction projects, like a highway and a natural gas pipeline, are changing parts of the park. These projects involve removing some trees along their paths.

Also, when the park was first created, many towns and villages were already inside its borders. The National Park Institute (INPARQUES) works to manage these situations. They try to improve relations with the communities living there.

History of Mochima Park
Geography and Landscape
Climate in Mochima
Park Size
Animals and Plants
Gallery
See also

History of Mochima Park

Mochima National Park is named after the town of Mochima. It is one of several national parks found along Venezuela's northeast Caribbean coastline.

The park was established on December 19, 1973. It was the second marine park ever created in Venezuela. It includes the entire shoreline between Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná. It also protects 32 islands located just offshore.

Geography and Landscape

The coast of Mochima National Park is a mountainous area. It features many beautiful beaches, gulfs, and inlets. The park has different micro-climates, which means the weather can vary a lot in small areas.

Some parts of the park have huge cliffs that drop straight into the water. These cliffs have very little plant life. Other areas are full of lush jungle plants and sandy beaches. Many small towns have grown along the 50 kilometers between the cities of Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná.

Climate in Mochima

The temperatures in Mochima National Park are warm all year round. They usually range between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius (72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit).

From November to May, the coastal climate is hot with steady trade winds. From June to October, it is a bit cooler and more humid.

Park Size

Mochima National Park measures 949 square kilometers (366 square miles). This makes it a very large protected area.

Animals and Plants

The ocean waters in Mochima National Park are home to many different marine animals. These include various types of whales, such as humpback whales, Bryde's whales, sperm whales, and pilot whales.

Several species of dolphins also live in the park's waters. The park's diverse habitats support a wide range of plant life as well.