Serranía del Pinche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Serranía del Pinche |
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 Serranía del Pinche
Location in Colombia
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Cerro Napi |
| Elevation | 3,860 m (12,660 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country |  Colombia |
| State/Province | Cauca |
The Serranía del Pinche is a special mountain range in Colombia. It is part of the Western Andes Mountains. These mountains are found in the Cauca region.
The Serranía del Pinche has many tall peaks. It also has small areas of high-altitude grasslands called páramo. This area acts like a natural bridge. It connects the Pacific coast with the Andes mountains. This makes it very important for plants and animals.
The Colombian government is thinking about protecting this area. They want to make it a Flora and Fauna Sanctuary. This means it would be a safe place for nature. The Serranía del Pinche is known for its amazing variety of life. It also has a lot of untouched forests. A special hummingbird, the gorgeted puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae), lives only here. This bird is in great danger of disappearing forever.
Geography of Serranía del Pinche
This mountain range is in southwestern Colombia. It sits on the western side of the Andes. It is located in the central part of the Cauca Department. It is also near the border with the Nariño Department.
The area includes several small villages. These are El Naranjal, Las Pilas, La Belleza, Lusitania, and Santa Clara. All these villages are part of the Argelia municipality. The mountains here range in height. They go from about 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) to 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) above sea level.
The western edge of the range has the upper parts of the Timbiquí and Guapi Rivers. To the north, you can find the Plateado and Napi Rivers. To the south and east, there is the upper part of the San Juan de Micay River. This river is very important for the local economy.
This part of the Western Andes is south and west of Munchique. Munchique is a national park. It is also very important because it has so many different kinds of plants and animals.
Unique Animals and Plants
The Serranía del Pinche is home to many unique species. Scientists are still discovering new ones here. The most famous animal is the gorgeted puffleg hummingbird. This beautiful bird has shiny green feathers and a purple throat. It is found nowhere else in the world. Sadly, it is critically endangered. This means there are very few left. Protecting its home is very important for its survival.
The forests here are also special. They are mostly primary forests. This means they have not been cut down or changed much by humans. These old forests provide a home for many rare plants and animals.
Protecting the Area
The Serranía del Pinche is a very important place for nature. Because of its rich biodiversity, the Colombian government is working to protect it. Making it a Flora and Fauna Sanctuary would help keep its unique plants and animals safe. This protection would also help preserve the valuable forests and rivers.
See also
- In Spanish: Serranía del Pinche para niños
