Torres del Paine National Park
The National Park Torres del Paine (Spanish Parque Nacional Torres del Paine ) is one of the most famous national parks in Chile, located in the south to the mountain range of the Cordillera del Paine. Paine called in the language of tehuelche ( Aonikenk ) Indians " sky blue", Torres del Paine so " towers of blue sky ."
Geography and climate
The National Park Torres del Paine is located in the south of Chile and is part of Patagonia. It belongs to the Región de Magallanes y Antártica Chilena de la (Province of Última Esperanza ) and is located around 140 km north of the city of Puerto Natales.
In the north, bordering the National Park to Argentina, where the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares is connected. To the west of the Grey Glacier lies with the lake Lago Grey, in the south of Lago del Toro and in the east of Lago Sarmiento de Gamboa.
The National Park area covers 2420 km ². It is crossed by up to almost 3000 m high mountains, glaciers, fjords and large lakes.
The " Torres del Paine " are the symbol of the National Park. Here are three needle-like granite mountains, which are 2600-2850 m high. The mountains lie approximately in the middle of the park. South of these three mountains lies the Lake Nordenskjold, named after the Swedish geologist Otto Nordenskjold.
The highest mountain in the National Park is the Cerro Paine Grande with 3050 m.
Large parts of the national park are glaciated. The most famous glacier is the Grey Glacier, which calves into Lago Grey.
In summer, the average temperatures are from 11 ° C and in winter at about 1 ° C.
History
14,000 years ago the last ice age ended in Patagonia since the glaciers retreat. So many animals settled in the area. 1895 was the German adventurers and settlers Hermann Eberhard a Milodon skeleton, a stone-age giant sloth. The Cave of the Milodon east of the park is an often -visited tourist destination.
1906, the city of Cerro Castillo was built on the eastern edge of the park.
Prior to the establishment of the park by the Chilean government, the landowners had already burned down large parts of the forests to gain sheep - grazing areas. Today, the landscape is again left to nature.
The National Park was established on 13 May 1959, and is managed by the Chilean Forest Service CONAF. In 1978 he was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
On 17 February 2005, a devastating forest fire broke out in the park. Here, more than 15,000 hectares of forest have been destroyed. Another fire in late December 2011/early 2012 destroyed more than 14,000 hectares of forest. Both fires were caused by carelessness of tourists.
Flora and Fauna
The landscape is varied. There are large glaciated areas, high mountains, many lakes, tundra and vast forests of cypress, lenga and Olivillo - trees, also many species of flowers, including orchids.
The wildlife in the park is diverse. Note the guanacos, Darwin rheas, Andean condors and many smaller birds.
Tourism
The national park is well developed. The head office is located in the area of Lake Toro. The park is approached, for example, of buses from Puerto Natales.
Within the park there are several smaller administrative points. The CONAF has created many hiking trails. There are also several camping and cabin areas. In the park itself there are strict environmental regulations in order not to unnecessarily pollute the nature.
Among the visitors of varied terrain including trekking enthusiasts, climbers, glaciers tourists, as well as animal and plant friends.
Economy
The park is a major economic factor in the relatively unpopulated area in the north of the Magallanes region.
A highway connects Puerto Natales and the National Park. The journey distance is only 80 km, instead of the previous 140 km.
Cuernos del Paine
Rapids of the Rio Paine
Tab in the Torres del Paine NP
Guanacos at the Laguna Amarga
Darwin rheas at Posada Rio Serrano