Tolhuaca National Park
Encyclopedia
Tolhuaca National Park encompasses part of the forested lower western spurs and foothills of the Andes
of the Araucanía Region
of southern Chile
. Adjoining the park to the north is Malleco National Reserve. The park has an elevation of 700 m asl at its western end and 1,821 m asl at its eastern end. It includes small lakes and numerous ponds. Among them are the Laguna Malleco and the Laguna Verde. The Malleco River
's source is located within the park and Tolhuaca
volcano is situated in the vicinity of the park.
Park's forests include tree species in pure stands such as araucaria
, roble
and coihue
.
Mammal species include the Cougar, Coypu
, Chilla and Kodkod
.
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...
of the Araucanía Region
Araucanía Region
The IX Araucanía Region is one of Chile's 15 first order administrative divisions and comprises two provinces: Malleco in the north and Cautín in the south....
of southern Chile
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...
. Adjoining the park to the north is Malleco National Reserve. The park has an elevation of 700 m asl at its western end and 1,821 m asl at its eastern end. It includes small lakes and numerous ponds. Among them are the Laguna Malleco and the Laguna Verde. The Malleco River
Malleco River
Malleco River is a river in Malleco Province, Araucanía Region, southern Chile. It rises in the western slopes of the Andes, within the Tolhuaca National Park and near Tolhuaca Volcano. The river is a major tributary to the Bío-Bío River. The Malleco Viaduct built in 1890 is the main landmark of...
's source is located within the park and Tolhuaca
Tolhuaca (volcano)
Tolhuaca Volcano is a stratovolcano located in the northern part of the Araucanía Region of Chile. The volcano has been shaped by glacial erosion, which contrasts with the relatively smooth slopes of its neighbor Lonquimay, due to the younger age of this latter volcano.The volcano dominates the...
volcano is situated in the vicinity of the park.
Park's forests include tree species in pure stands such as 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...
, roble
Nothofagus obliqua
Nothofagus obliqua, is a deciduous tree from Chile and Argentina. It grows from 33 to 43° South Latitude, in Chile and Argentina. The northern extent of this tree's range in Chile is considered to be the Vizcachas Mountains and La Campana National Park.-Description:N...
and coihue
Coihue
Nothofagus dombeyi is a tree species native to southern Chile and the Andean parts of Argentine Patagonia. It grows from 35 to 45° South latitude between 700 and 1,200 m above mean sea level. It forms dense forests, like those found in the Los Alerces and Nahuel Huapi national parks...
.
Mammal species include the Cougar, Coypu
Coypu
The coypu , , also known as the river rat, and nutria, is a large, herbivorous, semiaquatic rodent and the only member of the family Myocastoridae. Originally native to subtropical and temperate South America, it has since been introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, primarily by...
, Chilla and Kodkod
Kodkod
The Kodkod , also called Guiña, is the smallest cat in the Americas and also has the smallest distribution, being found primarily in central and southern Chile and marginally in adjoining areas of Argentina...
.