List of national parks of Colombia
Encyclopedia
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
s of Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
are grouped in the National System of Protected Areas
National System of Protected Areas (Colombia)
The National System of Protected Areas is the Colombian national park administrator. It is a department under the Ministry of the Environment, Housing and Regional Development responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity...
. As of 2008, it has 58 natural national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
s which cover about 12,579,081 ha and represent more than 10% of the country's continental land.
National System of Protected Areas
The National System of Protected Areas comprises four broad groups:- National protected areas, most of them in the Natural National Park System.
- Regional protected areas.
- Local protected areas.
- Private protected areas.
Natural National Park System
The National Natural Park System is divided into natural national parks, fauna and flora sanctuaries, natural reserves, unique natural areas and one vía parque (park along a road).| Photo | Established | Name | Region | Department | Extension (ha) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Cueva de los Guácharos Cueva de los Guácharos The Cueva de los Guácharos National Park , created in 1960, is the oldest of the 51 protected areas of Colombia. The park is located in the western face of the Colombian Eastern Andean Range in the departments of Huila and Caquetá... |
Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Huila | 9,000 | |
| 1964 | Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park is Colombia's second oldest national park, established in 1964. It is located in the Cordillera Oriental range, between the departments of La Guajira, Magdalena and Cesar, in the mountain range of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta... |
Caribbean region | Magdalena La Guajira Cesar | 383,000 | |
 |
1964 | Salamanca Island Road Park Salamanca Island Road Park The Salamanca Island Road Park is a national park located in the Caribbean Region of Colombia, on the eastern outskirts of the city of Barranquilla in the Magdalena Department. The flora and fauna is in abundance because of the confluence of sweet water Magdalena River and saline water Caribbean Sea... |
Caribbean region | Magdalena | 56,200 |
| 1968 | Farallones de Cali National Natural Park Farallones de Cali National Natural Park The Farallones de Cali National Natural Park is the largest national park in the Valle del Cauca Department, Colombia. More than 30 rivers that supply the southwestern Colombia with water originate here... |
Andean region (Cordillera Occidental) | Valle del Cauca | 150,000 | |
| 1968 | Puracé National Natural Park Puracé National Natural Park The Puracé National Natural Park is a national park located in the Andean Region of Colombia, southeast of the city of Popayán in the Cordillera Central range. Its main feature is the active stratovolcano Puracé, one of Colombia's most active volcanoes... |
Andean region (Cordillera Central) | Cauca Huila | 83,000 | |
 |
1969 | Tayrona National Natural Park Tayrona National Natural Park The Tayrona National Natural Park 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... |
Caribbean region | Magdalena | 15,000 |
| 1970 | El Tuparro National Natural Park El Tuparro National Natural Park The Tuparro National Natural Park is a national park located in the in the Vichada Department in the Orinoquía Region of Colombia. It is the only protected area in the Eastern Plains under Colombia's Natural Parks System.... |
Orinoquía region | Vichada | 548,000 | |
| 1971 | Serranía de la Macarena Serranía de la Macarena Serranía de la Macarena is a Colombian mountain range located east of the Andes in the Meta Department. The mountains are separated by about 40 kilometers at their northern extreme from the Cordillera Oriental . The range is orientated from north to south and is 120 kilometers in length and 30... |
Orinoquía region | Meta | 620,000 | |
| 1973 | Las Orquídeas National Park | Andean region (Cordillera Occidental) | Antioquia | 32,000 | |
| 1973 | Los Katíos National Park Los Katíos National Park Los Katíos National Park is a national park located in northwest Colombia which covers 278 square miles . It is a part of the Darién Gap, shared by Panama and Colombia and is contiguous to Darién National Park in Panama. The Pan-American Highway when completed as proposed will pass near or through... |
Pacific region | Chocó Antioquia | 72,000 | |
 |
1973 | Los Nevados National Natural Park | Andean region (Cordillera Central) | Risaralda Tolima Caldas Quindio | 58,300 |
| 1975 | Amacayacu National Park Amacayacu National Park Amacayacu National Natural Park is a national park located along the Amazon River in the Amazonas Department in the south of Colombia. The park was created in 1975. The word "Amacayacu" means "River of the Hamocs" in the indigenous language Quechua. The Ticuna people currently inhabit a part of... |
Amazon region | Amazonas | 293,500 | |
| 1977 | Las Hermosas National Natural Park Las Hermosas National Natural Park The Las Hermosas National Natural Park is a national park located in the Valle del Cauca Department at the highest elevation of Cordillera Central range in the Andean Region of Colombia. Its main feature is probably the wetlands and 387 glacial lakes.... |
Andean region (Cordillera Central) | Tolima Valle del Cauca | 125,000 | |
| 1977 | Nevado del Huila Nevado del Huila Nevado del Huila , at , is the highest volcano in Colombia, located in Huila Department. After being dormant for more than 500 years, the volcano showed heavy signs of activity in 2007 and 2008. As of February 20, 2007, there were more than 7000 "minor" seismic events, and a high state of... |
Andean region (Cordillera Central) | Huila Tolima Cauca Valle del Cauca | 158,000 | |
| 1977 | Cordillera de los Picachos National Park | Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Meta Caquetá Huila | 444,740 | |
| 1977 | Chingaza National Park | Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Cundinamarca Meta | 76,600 | |
| 1977 | Sumapaz National Park | Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Meta Cundinamarca Huila | 154,000 | |
 |
1977 | Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Sierra Nevada del Cocuy The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Chita o Guican National Natural Park The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Chita o Guican National Natural Park The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Chita o Guican National Natural Park (or Sierra Nevada de Chita or Sierra Nevada de Güicán, is a national park and a set of highlands within... |
Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Arauca Boyacá Casanare | 306,000 |
| 1977 | Pisba National Park | Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Boyacá | 45,000 | |
| 1977 | Tamá National Natural Park Tamá National Natural Park The Tamá National Natural Park is a national park located in the Andean Region of Colombia, between the municipalities Toledo and Herrán, in the Norte de Santander Department, in the northeastern part of the Cordillera Central range... |
Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Norte de Santander | 15,000 | |
| 1977 | Lake Iguaque Lake Iguaque Lake Iguaque is a lake located in the Boyacá department of Colombia. The lake and the surrounding area were declarated National park of Colombia in 1977.- Description :... |
Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Boyacá | 6,750 | |
| 1977 | Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park The Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park is a natural park located in the Sucre and Bolívar Departments on the coast of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, 45 km from the Bay of Cartagena... |
Caribbean region | Bolívar Sucre | 120,000 | |
| |
1977 | Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta The Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta is the largest of the swampy marshes located between the Magdalena River and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, weakly separated from the Caribbean Sea by a narrow strait.... |
Caribbean region | Magdalena | 26,810 |
| 1977 | Sanquianga National Park | Pacific region | Nariño | 80,000 | |
| 1977 | Serranía de Macuira Serranía de Macuira Serranía de Macuira is a mountain range in northern Colombia located in the municipality of Uribia, Guajira Peninsula and part of the La Guajira Department. The Serrania de Macuira stands in the middle of the La Guajira Desert at 864 meters over sea level, isolated from the mountain ranges of... |
Caribbean region | La Guajira | 25,000 | |
| 1977 | Paramillo National Park | Caribbean region (Cordillera Occidental) | Córdoba Antioquia | 460,000 | |
| 1977 | Munchique National Natural Park | Andean region (Cordillera Occidental) | Cauca | 44,000 | |
| 1977 | Los Colorados Fauna and Flora Sanctuary | Caribbean region | Bolívar | 1,000 | |
| 1977 | Isla de La Corota Fauna and Flora Sanctuary | Andean region (Cordillera Central) | Nariño | 16 | |
| 1977 | Flamingos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary Flamingos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary Flamingos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary has been a natural park since 1977. It is located in the Colombian Caribbean Region and the Guajira Peninsula and part of the department of La Guajira.... |
Caribbean region | La Guajira | 7,682 | |
| 1983 | Gorgona Island National Park | Insular region | Cauca | 61,687 | |
| 1984 | La Paya National Park | Amazon region | Putumayo | 422,000 | |
| 1985 | Galeras Galeras Galeras is an Andean stratovolcano in the Colombian department of Nariño, near the departmental capital Pasto. Its summit rises above sea level. It has erupted frequently since the Spanish conquest, with its first historical eruption being recorded on December 7, 1580... |
Andean region (Nudo de los Pastos) | Nariño | 7,615 | |
| 1986 | Cahuinarí National Park | Amazon region | Amazonas | 575,000 | |
| 1987 | Ensenada de Utría National Park | Pacific region | Chocó | 54,300 | |
| 1987 | Tatamá National Park | Andean region (Cordillera Occidental) | Chocó Risaralda Valle del Cauca | 51,900 | |
| 1988 | Los Estoraques Unique Natural Area Los Estoraques Unique Natural Area The Los Estoraques Unique Natural Area is one of the smaller national parks, covering only , located in the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia in the Norte de Santander Department. The landscape is shaped by large brownstone pedestals and columns formed by thousands of years of erosion... |
Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Norte de Santander | 640 | |
| 1989 | Chiribiquete National Park Chiribiquete National Park Chiribiquete National Park is the largest national park in Colombia. This protected area occupies of the Amazon Region of Colombia. The centerpiece of the protected area is the Chiribiquete Mountains, which are the western edge of the Guiana Shield.... |
Amazon region | Caquetá Guaviare | 1,280,000 | |
| 1989 | Nukak Natural Reserve | Amazon region | Guaviare Vaupés | 855,000 | |
| 1989 | Puinawai Natural Reserve | Amazon region | Guainía | 1,092,500 | |
| 1989 | Tinigua National Park | Amazon region | Meta | 201,875 | |
| 1989 | Catatumbo Barí National Park | Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Norte de Santander | 158,125 | |
| 1993 | Guaneta Alto Río Fonce Fauna and Flora Sanctuary | Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Santander | 10,429 | |
| 1995 | Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park The Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park is a national park located on the northeast side of Providencia Island in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia.... |
Insular region | San Andrés y Providencia | 995 | |
| 1995 | Malpelo Island Malpelo Island Malpelo Island is an island located from Colombia's Pacific coast, and approximately from Panama's coast. It has a land area of . It is uninhabited except for a small military post manned by the Colombian Army, which was established in 1986. Visitors need a written permit from the Colombian... |
Insular region | Valle del Cauca | 120 | |
 |
1996 | Otún Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary | Andean region (Cordillera Central) | Risaralda | 489 |
| 2002 | Río Puré National Park | Amazon region | Amazonas | 999,880 | |
| 2002 | Alto Fragua Indi-Wasi National Park | Amazon region | Caquetá | 68,000 | |
| 2002 | "El mono Hernández" Cork Forest Flora and Fauna Sanctuary "El mono Hernández" Cork Forest Flora and Fauna Sanctuary The "El mono Hernández" Cork Forest Flora and Fauna Sanctuary is a natural monument located in the Sucre and Bolívar Departments on the coast of the Caribbean Region of Colombia.... |
Caribbean region | Sucre Bolívar | 3,850 | |
| 2005 | Selva de Florencia National Park | Andean region (Cordillera Central) | Caldas | 10,019 | |
| 2005 | Yariguíes National Park Yariguíes National Park Yariguíes National Park is a natural park in north central Colombia. It is located in the Santander department and measures . It was officially designated as a national natural park in 2005.-External links:*... |
Andean region (Cordillera Oriental) | Santander | 78,837 | |
| 2007 | Doña Juana-Cascabel Volcanic Complex Doña Juana-Cascabel Volcanic Complex Doña Juana-Cascabel Volcanic Complex National Natural Park is a Colombian National Natural Park. The park is located in the Southern Departments of Nariño and Cauca; The park is named after three volcanoes which are Doña Juana, Petacas and Animas... |
Andean region (Nudo de los Pastos) | Cauca Nariño | 65,858 | |
| 2007 | Serranía de los Churumbelos Serranía de los Churumbelos Serranía de Los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi National Natural Park was declared on 30 August 2007 by the Colombian government; located in the Bota Caucana of southern Colombia. Three biological expeditions conducted rapid biodiversity surveys and conservation assessments in Serranía de los Churumbelos... |
Amazon region | Cauca Caquetá Putumayo Huila | 97,189 | |
| 2008 | Santuario Orito Indí-Andé Fauna and Flora Sanctuary Santuario Orito Indí-Andé Fauna and Flora Sanctuary Santuario Orito Indí-Andé Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is a national park in Putumayo Department, ColombiaIt is the newest park after Indí Wasi and Serranía de los Churumbelos.... |
Amazon region | Nariño Putumayo | 10,204 | |
| 2009 | Yaigojé Apaporis Natural Park | Amazonian region | Vaupés | 1,060,603 | |
| 2010 | Uramba Bahia Malaga Natural Park | Pacific region | Valle del Cauca | 47,094 |
Proposed areas
Currently there are other proposed areas for national natural parks:- Serranía de Minas Fauna and Flora SanctuarySerranía de Minas Fauna and Flora SanctuarySerranía de Minas Fauna and Flora Sanctuary located near the Purace National Park in the Department of Huila, the Serranía de Minas is part of the fluvial star of Magdalena, where most of the Magdalena river affluents are born....
, a regional natural park in Huila with 20,000 ha. - Morichales de Paz de Ariporo Natural Park
The following locations could be declared fauna and flora sanctuaries:
- Bahía Málaga Fauna and Flora SanctuaryBahía Málaga Fauna and Flora SanctuaryThe Bahía Málaga Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is a sanctuary located between the Valle and Chocó Departments of Colombia. Humpback Whales swimming from Antarctica may be seen here....
- Bahía Portete Fauna and Flora SanctuaryBahía Portete Fauna and Flora SanctuaryThe Bahía Portete Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is located in northern Colombia, in the La Guajira Department. The ecosystem has reefs, mangroves, turtles and alligators....
- Bosque Seco del Patía Fauna and Flora SanctuaryBosque Seco del Patía Fauna and Flora SanctuaryBosque Seco del Patía Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, or Patia Dry Forest, is a wildlife sanctuary in Colombia. It is located on the border between the Nariño Department and the Cauca Department....
- Bosque Seco de Cúcuta
- Playona Acandí Fauna and Flora SanctuaryPlayona Acandí Fauna and Flora SanctuaryPlayona Acandí Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is one of eleven new national parks in Colombia. It is the home of the Cana Turtle. This new park is on the Caribbean coast of the Department of Chocó....
- Serranía de Pinche Fauna and Flora SanctuarySerranía de Pinche Fauna and Flora SanctuarySerranía de Pinche Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is located between Guapí and Argelia municipalities in the Department of Cauca, Colombia....
- Serranía del Perijá Fauna and Flora SanctuarySerranía del Perijá Fauna and Flora SanctuarySerranía del Perijá Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is located in the departments of Cesar Department and La Guajira on the border of Colombia and Venezuela. It houses 359 species of birds and spectacled bears....
- Serranía de San Lucas - now considered unlikely to be protected as the area has been opened up to gold mining companies.
Disbanded areas
Some zones of the park system had been disbanded because of negative human impact on the environment:- Arauca Fauna and Flora Sanctuary
- Manaure National Natural Park