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National Park Fray Jorge was created in 1941 with the aim of preserving the outstanding natural characteristics of the area, and allowing the development of scientific investigation and ecotourism.
In 1977, UNESCO granted the Park
with the title World Biosphere Reserve, primarily for the existence
of humid Valdivian forests, which is strange considering it's
location in the Small North Region of Chile.
Its unique and extraordinary beauty
makes the park an ideal place for the observation of wildlife
and outdoor activities such as hiking excursions and horse-riding.
CULTURAL
HERITAGE
The Fray Jorge Forest has become a natural relic,
a water-loving forest left behind from the Quarternary Period.
One might say that it is a demonstration of what once existed
of today's Atacama Desert, the driest in the world, during the
last glaciation that occurred almost 30,000 years ago, when
humid forests were distributed among even the lowest latitudes.
NATURAL
HERITAGE
The park is located in the Andean-coastal
area called “Altos de Talinay”. Some of the highest peaks above
sea level are the Mozambique (1,836 ft.), Centinela, (1,853
ft.) and El Viento (2,187 ft.).
The only natural water resource
the park holds is the river Limari that can be found 10km (6
mi) from the administrative area.
The existence of the Valdivian
humid forest at this latitude is caused by a permanent coastal
fog, an extraordinary phenomenon that creates a suitable microclimate
in which terebinth shrubs, cinnamon trees, myrtle, ferns and
creepers can grow. These species are visible in the higher areas
of the reserve.
The flora of the park includes
species of flowers such as- varilla brava, guayacan, caper,
cactus and uvillos: they are visible along the side of the road
from the entrance gate until the foot of the hill. Matins, rosemary
and huiganes, can be found in Las Vacas Gorge.
Closer to the administration by
Las Lechuzas stream, on the bank of the Limari river and on
the coast of the park there are papaya trees. During spring,
depending on the rainfall, one may see añañucas, azulillos,
lily of the valley and chives throughout the park and on both
sides of the road leading to the forest.
Birds are the main wildlife attraction
of the park. In the lower areas of the park, principally the
Aguadas, Las Vacas Gorge, Agua Las Cabras and the Administration
sectors, one may see Chilean tinamous, quails, long-tailed meadowlark,
austral blackbirds, common diuca finches, hummingbirds and Chilean
mocking-birds.
Eagles,
are visible from the entrance of the Casa El Mineral sector,
as are great horned owls all around the Administration house,
picnic areas, the mineral sector and the Guanaca sector. In
these last two sectors it is also possible to see barn owls.
Ducks also live on the banks of the Limari River.
Foxes
are found in all sectors of the park and the chungungos in the coastal sections.
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