Laguna del Laja National Park
Encyclopedia
Laguna del Laja National Park is a national park of Chile
located in the Andes
, between 37°22’ and 37°28’ south latitude and 71°16’ and 71°26’ west longitude.
, Sierra Velluda
and Laguna del Laja
(Laja Lake). The latter gives the name to this protected area, but it only borders the park. The park ranges in elevation from 976 m to 3585 m at Sierra Velluda. Although a little snow caps Antuco volcano, much more snow adorns the two major summits of its southern neighbor, even during Chile’s summer. Sharp ridges and deep valleys carve this rugged region, which alternates between bare rock and lush vegetation. Another summit in the park, although least prominent, is Cerro Cóndor at 1,668 m.
The park forms part of the Bío-Bío River
basin. Some small tributaries of Laja River
originate in the park.
The Park lies within the Valdivian temperate forests ecoregion
.
It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Cougar and foxes (particularly the Chilla and the Culpeo
). In the park have been identified 47 bird species.
Endangered and rare vegetation species are found in the park. Among them are: Ciprés de la Cordillera
, Araucaria
, Maitén del Chubut and Radal Enano.
, trekking, skiing
and fishing
.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
located in the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
, between 37°22’ and 37°28’ south latitude and 71°16’ and 71°26’ west longitude.
Geography
The park features spectacular mountain landscapes, whose main attractions are the Antuco VolcanoAntuco (volcano)
Antuco Volcano is a stratovolcano located in the Bío-Bío Region of Chile, near Sierra Velluda and on the shore of Laguna del Laja.- In literature :* The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin* Les Enfants du capitaine Grant by Jules Verne...
, Sierra Velluda
Sierra Velluda
Sierra Velluda is a massive Pleistocene stratovolcano located immediately southwest of the Antuco Volcano, in the Bío-Bío Region of Chile. The heavily glaciated mountain has two main summits and is the tallest mountain in Laguna del Laja National Park....
and Laguna del Laja
Laguna del Laja
Laguna del Laja is a lake located in the Bío-Bío Region of Chile. The lake borders and gives its name to Laguna del Laja National Park.-References:...
(Laja Lake). The latter gives the name to this protected area, but it only borders the park. The park ranges in elevation from 976 m to 3585 m at Sierra Velluda. Although a little snow caps Antuco volcano, much more snow adorns the two major summits of its southern neighbor, even during Chile’s summer. Sharp ridges and deep valleys carve this rugged region, which alternates between bare rock and lush vegetation. Another summit in the park, although least prominent, is Cerro Cóndor at 1,668 m.
The park forms part of the Bío-Bío River
Bío-Bío River
The Biobío River is the second largest river in Chile. It originates from Icalma and Galletué lakes in the Andes and flows 380 km to the Gulf of Arauco on the Pacific Ocean....
basin. Some small tributaries of Laja River
Laja River (Chile)
Laja River is a river in Chile, along which can be found the Laja Falls. It is located in the Bío-Bío Region. The source of the river is Laguna del Laja in the Andes, then flows westward through the Chilean Central Valley and terminates into the Bío-Bío River, being an important tributary of...
originate in the park.
Biology
Ecoregion
An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural...
.
It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Cougar and foxes (particularly the Chilla and the Culpeo
Culpeo
The culpeo , sometimes known as the culpeo zorro or Andean fox , is a South American species of wild dog. It is the second largest native canid on the continent after the maned wolf. In its appearance it bears many similarities to the widely recognized red fox...
). In the park have been identified 47 bird species.
Endangered and rare vegetation species are found in the park. Among them are: Ciprés de la Cordillera
Austrocedrus
Austrocedrus is a genus of conifer belonging to the cypress family Cupressaceae. It has only one species, Austrocedrus chilensis, native to the Valdivian temperate rain forests and the adjacent drier steppe-forests of central-southern Chile and western Argentina from 33°S to 44°S latitude...
, Araucaria
Araucaria araucana
Araucaria araucana is an evergreen tree growing to tall with a trunk diameter. The tree is native to central and southern Chile, western Argentina and south Brazil. Araucaria araucana is the hardiest species in the conifer genus Araucaria...
, Maitén del Chubut and Radal Enano.
Tourism
Several activities can be performed within the boundaries of the park and in the surrounding area including climbingClimbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
, trekking, skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
and fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
.