Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parque Nacional Natural Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo |
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| Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Dawn in Tintipán
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| Nearest city | Tolú, Colombia |
| Area | 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi) |
| Established | May 1977 |
| Governing body | SINAP |
The Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park is a special underwater nature park in Colombia. It is located off the coast of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, near the cities of Cartagena and Tolú. This park protects amazing marine life, especially coral reefs. Most of the park is underwater, making it a unique place to explore. In 2009, it was the most visited national park in Colombia, showing how popular it is!
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About the Park
This park is very special because it is Colombia's only underwater national park. It is one of just three national parks in the Colombian Caribbean that protect coral reefs. The other two are Tayrona and Old Providence McBean Lagoon.
How the Park Was Formed
The park was created in May 1977. Its first goal was to protect the coral reefs around one of the Islas del Rosario (Rosario Islands). Back then, it covered about 178 square kilometers. In 1988, the park grew bigger, adding another 195 square kilometers. Finally, in 1996, it expanded to its current size of 1,200 square kilometers. This expansion included the beautiful Archipelago of San Bernardo.
The Park's Environment
The park's waters are shaped by ocean currents from the Caribbean Sea and Panama. Fresh water also flows into the area from the Canal del Dique, which is a man-made channel. This channel brings sediments from the Magdalena River. Unfortunately, these sediments can harm the delicate coral reefs.
There are no natural fresh water sources directly in the park. However, some lagoons on the islands have brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salt water. The average temperature in the park is warm, usually between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius (81–86 °F) all year round.
Plants and Animals
Most of the living things in this park are found in the ocean. It is a vibrant home for many different species.
Marine Life
The park is filled with amazing marine creatures. Scientists have found about 170 different kinds of fish swimming in its waters. There are also 52 types of corals, which are tiny animals that build the reefs. You can also find 25 kinds of sponges, along with hundreds of different molluscs (like snails and clams) and crustaceans (like crabs and lobsters).
Plants of the Park
The plant life in the park is just as important as the animals. You will find many mangrove trees along the coastlines. Mangroves are special trees that can grow in salty water and provide safe homes for young fish and other animals. There are also large beds of seagrass growing underwater. Seagrass beds are like underwater meadows, providing food and shelter for many marine animals.
See also
In Spanish: Parque nacional natural Islas Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo para niños
