Yariguíes National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yariguíes National Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 Yariguíes National Park
Location in Colombia
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| Location | Santander Department, Colombia |
| Nearest city | Barrancabermeja |
| Area | 78,837 hectares (194,810 acres) |
| Website | Parques naturales de Colombia |
Yariguíes National Park is a special natural area in north-central Colombia. It is also known as Serranía de los Yariguíes in Spanish, which means "Mountain Range of the Yariguíes." This park is located in the Santander region and covers a huge area of 78,837 hectares. To give you an idea, that's bigger than many cities! It became an official national natural park in 2005, meaning it's a protected place for nature and wildlife.
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What is a National Park?
A national park is a large area of land that a country protects. The main goal is to keep nature safe. This includes plants, animals, and important natural features like mountains or rivers. These parks help to protect biodiversity, which means all the different kinds of life on Earth. They also make sure that special places can be enjoyed by people for many years to come.
Why are Parks Important?
National parks are super important for many reasons:
- They protect endangered animals and plants. These are living things that are at risk of disappearing forever.
- They help keep the air and water clean. Forests in parks act like giant filters.
- They are places where scientists can study nature. This helps us learn more about our planet.
- They offer beautiful places for people to visit. You can hike, observe wildlife, and learn about nature.
Yariguíes: A Special Mountain Range
Yariguíes National Park is named after the Yariguíes people. They were an indigenous group who lived in this area long ago. The park is mostly a mountain range, which means it has many tall hills and peaks. These mountains create different climates and habitats, from warm valleys to cooler, misty peaks. This variety allows many different types of plants and animals to live there.
Home to Unique Wildlife
Because of its diverse habitats, Yariguíes National Park is home to many amazing creatures. While the park protects many species, some are very special. For example, it is known for protecting birds that migrate, meaning they travel long distances. It also has animals that are found only in this part of the world. Protecting their homes in the park helps them survive and thrive.
Plants of the Park
The park's mountains are covered with lush forests. These forests have many different kinds of trees and plants. Some plants might be very old, while others are unique to this mountain range. They all work together to create a healthy ecosystem. This means they support each other and the animals that live there.
Protecting Yariguíes National Park
The government of Colombia works hard to protect Yariguíes National Park. This means they have rules to keep the park safe. For example, hunting is not allowed, and people cannot cut down trees. Park rangers are people who work in the park. They help to enforce these rules and educate visitors about how to protect nature.
How You Can Help
Even if you don't visit the park, you can help protect places like Yariguíes.
- Learn about nature and why it's important.
- Support efforts to protect natural areas.
- Be mindful of your own impact on the environment.
- Share what you learn with your friends and family.
By working together, we can make sure that beautiful places like Yariguíes National Park stay safe for future generations.
