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Cayambe-Coca National Park

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description Cayambe-Coca National Park Overview

Cayambe-Coca National Park is a protected area in northern Ecuador spanning approximately 4,000 square kilometers. Established in 1970, it encompasses a range of ecosystems from high-altitude páramo and cloud forests down to Amazonian rainforest across the eastern Andean slopes of the Cayambe volcano. The park plays a critical role in regional hydrology, capturing glacial melt and precipitation that serves as a primary freshwater source for surrounding towns and cities.

help Cayambe-Coca National Park FAQ

What types of ecosystems are protected in Cayambe-Coca National Park?

The park encompasses a massive range of ecosystems, spanning from high-altitude Andean páramo and dense cloud forests down to lowland Amazonian rainforest. This altitudinal gradient covers the eastern Andean slopes of northern Ecuador.

When was Cayambe-Coca National Park established?

The park was officially established in 1970 to protect its unique Andean and Amazonian biodiversity. It covers an immense area of approximately 4,000 square kilometers.

Does Cayambe-Coca National Park contain any major geographic features?

Yes, the park takes its name from the Cayambe Volcano, a massive glaciated peak that reaches over 5,700 meters in elevation. The reserve is also a crucial hydrological hub, protecting the headwaters of rivers that flow into the Amazon basin.

What wildlife is Cayambe-Coca National Park known for?

The park is one of the most important refuges for the Andean spectacled bear, South America's only species of bear. It also harbors the endangered Andean condor, as well as tapirs and jaguars within its lower cloud forest regions.

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