Tayrona National Natural Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Parque Natural Nacional Tayrona
iucn_category = II

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location = Magdalena State
nearest_city = Santa Marta.
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established = 1969
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The Tayrona National Natural Park ( _es. Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona) is a protected area in the Colombian northern Caribbean region and within the jurisdiction of the Department of Magdalena and some 34 km from the city of Santa Marta. The park presents a biodiversity endemic to the area of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range presenting a variety of climates (mountain climate) and geography that ranges from arid sea level to 900 meters over sea level. The park covers some 30 square kilometres of maritime area in the Caribbean sea and some 150 km² of land.

Creation

The Tayrona National Park was created by the 191th Law of the Colombian Institute for Agrarian Reform (INCORA), in order to guarantee the protection of the region and the preserving of the ecological environment.

Geography

The park has an area of 150 square kilometres located in jurisdiction of the Santa Marta municipality, Magdalena State, northwest of Colombia and not far from the Caribbean Basin.

Taganga is its most southern part and its western limit goes toward northeast following the coastline and including a kilometer of sea area until the Piedras River. The limit follows the left side of the river until the North Highway and after toward the west crossing the following places with clear demarkations on the terrain:

* Santa Rosa Hill.
* Tovar Hill.
* Guacamayo Pick.
* Aguas Muertas Hill.
* Cielito Pick.
* Hondanada Site.
* Humo Hill.

It crosses also several creeks like the Piedras River, Cañaveral, Santa Rosa, La Boquita, Cinto and other water branches, Rodríguez and Gairaca creeks.

Animals and plants

Scholars have done an extensive classification of animal species living in the park. About 108 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. The more characteristic animals are the black howler, the oncilla, the deer and more than 70 species of bats.

300 species of birds such as white eagle and alone eagle; 31 several species of reptiles, 15 species of amphibians, 202 species of sponges, 471 species of crustaceans, 96 species of anels, 700 species of mollusks, 110 species of corals and 401 species of sea and river fish.

There are more than 350 algae and more than 770 species of plants.

Archaeology

There are archaeology evidences of ancient human settlements in the area of the park until the 16th century. The place has also facilities for the eco-tourism and scouting, with paths appropriated for walks. The Archaeologic Museum of Chairama is located in the Cañaveral Site, near the mouth of the Piedras River. Other places ready for visitors are Los Naranjos Path, Castilletes Beach, The Pool, the Piedras River and the San Juan Out.

Gallery of some of the Park species

References

External links

* [http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/ Dirección de Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/22539912@N03/sets/72157603747236674/ Tayrona National Park ]