Yacambú National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yacambú National ParkParque Nacional Yacambú |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 Yacambú National Park
Parque Nacional Yacambú Location in Venezuela
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| Location |  Venezuela |
| Area | 146 km2 (56 sq mi) |
| Established | June 12, 1962 |
The Yacambú National Park (which is Parque nacional Yacambú in Spanish) is a special protected area in Venezuela, a country in South America. It's located in the southern part of the Lara State, nestled on the slopes of the Portuguesa Mountain Range. This mountain range is part of the larger Andes Mountains. The park was created in 1962 to help protect an important river called the Yacambú River. Its waters are super important because they will fill a big reservoir named José María Ochoa Pilé. This reservoir will provide water for the city of Barquisimeto and help farms grow crops in the dry valleys of Quibor.
Contents
Discover Yacambú National Park
Yacambú National Park covers about 146 square kilometers (that's about 56 square miles) of beautiful natural land. It was officially made a national park on June 12, 1962. The main reason for creating the park was to protect the Yacambú River basin. A river basin is all the land where water drains into a specific river. Protecting this area helps keep the river clean and flowing.
Why Yacambú Park is Important
The waters from the Yacambú River are very important for the people and the land around it. They will feed a large reservoir called José María Ochoa Pilé. This reservoir is still being built, but once it's finished, it will be a key source of water for Barquisimeto, a big city nearby. It will also help with farming in the dry Quibor valleys. These valleys are a special area where farming is done in a way that helps the environment.
Plants and Trees You'll See
The higher parts of Yacambú National Park have a special kind of forest called a humid cloud forest. This means the area often has clouds and mist, which keeps it very moist. In this forest, you can find many different kinds of trees, like:
- Bucare trees
- Araguaney trees (which are Venezuela's national tree, famous for their bright yellow flowers)
- Oak trees
The park is also home to an amazing variety of orchids! About 14% of all the known orchid species in Venezuela can be found here. That's around 60 different types of these beautiful flowers!
Animals Living in the Park
Yacambú National Park is a safe home for many different animals. If you're lucky, you might spot some of these creatures:
- Mammals:
* The araguato monkey (also known as the howler monkey, famous for its loud calls) * Different kinds of deer, like the matacan deer and the caramerudo deer * The cachicamo (which is a type of armadillo) * The honey bear (also known as the kinkajou)
- Birds:
* The guacharaca, a bird known for its loud, distinctive calls.
- Reptiles:
* Snakes, including some from the Viperinae family (which are vipers).
Images for kids
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A beautiful waterfall in Yacambú National Park.
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A road leading to El Blanquito in Yacambú National Park, Lara State.
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A scenic view inside Yacambú National Park.
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Another view of the road to El Blanquito in Yacambú National Park.
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A general view of Yacambú National Park in Lara State.
See also
In Spanish: Parque nacional Yacambú para niños
- List of national parks of Venezuela
- Morrocoy National Park
