Cocora valley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cocora valley | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
| | |
| Location | Quindío |
| Nearest city | Salento |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Area | 590.78 km² |
| Established | October 1985 |
| Visitors | 150,000 (in a recent year) |
| Governing body | National administration of natural parks] |
Cocora valley (Spanish: Valle de Cocora) is a valley in Colombia considered a wildlife sanctuary. The valley is located in the central Andean mountains. It has been acknowledged by the Colombian government as the sanctuary of the national symbol, the wax palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense).
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[edit] Location
Cocora valley belongs to a wider national park, known as Parque nacional de Los Nevados (National park of Snow Mountains), Snow Mountain of Quindio, and Snow Mountain of St. Isabel are located in the centre of the park.
The Park covers approximately 590,78 km² of the northern area of Quindio. It is 75 km north of Armenia, Colombia by road. It is just a few kilometers west-northwest of Estrella de Agua (Lake Watery Star). It contains the most considerable part of the remaining population of Ceroxylon quindiuense, Ognorhynchus icterotis, Spectacled bear, Andean Guan and many other endemic species.
[edit] Climate
Cocora valley is characterized by its temperate weather. The prevailing Easterly winds from the Pacific ocean stopped by the Andean mountains generate a moist environment and many cloud forests; rain falls almost daily. Temperatures vary dramatically, even within one day. The average temperature is 15 °C, with a maximum of 25 °C and a minimum of -2 °C. On top of Snow Mountain of Quindio, snow fields can be found around the year and the summit is glaciated.
[edit] History
To prevent exploitation of the Wax palm, mainly due to the celebrations of palm sunday and therefore, the threat against the endemic species dependent of the palm, the government of Belisario Betancur constituted the area in a national park.
With law 61 of 1985, the Colombian Congress adopted Quindío Wax Palm Tree [ Ceroxylon quindiuense (Karsten) Wendl.], a local endangered species of high-altitude-adapted palm tree, as the National Tree. As ratified on September 16 for the current president of Colombia, Belisario Betancur, in the following terms: "1º. It's declared as national tree and symbol of our fatherland the species commonly known as quindio wax palm tree, scientific name ceroxylon quindiuense. 2º. National Government Is faculted to buy as many lands as needed to create wildlife sanctuaries with the purpose of preserve this national symbol and its natural environment. 3º. Chopping down the wax palm tree is forbidden and punished with fine and jail"."
[edit] Activities
Cocora valley is a very popular touristic destination in Colombia. Common activities are camping, Hiking, Bird watching and bathing in the rivers. There is also opportunity for game fishing, mountain biking, horse riding, rafting and scenic flights. The local restaurants are specialized in cooking Rainbow trout in several ways, mainly baked and served with fried plantain.
