Paracas National Reserve

Paracas National Reserve
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)

Map of Paracas National Reservation

Location Ica, Peru
Nearest city Pisco, Peru
Area 3350 km²
Established September 25, 1975
http://www.inrena.gob.pe/ianp/web_sinanpe2006/rnp
Designated March 30, 1992 [1]

The Paracas National Reserve is located in Ica, Peru and consists of the Paracas Peninsula, coastal areas and tropical desert extending to the south slightly past Punta Caimán, a total of 335,000 ha (217,594 ha are marine waters and 117,406 are part of the mainland). It includes Bahía de la Independencia (Independence Bay) and miles of coastal waters. Its main purpose is to preserve the marine ecosystem and protect the historical cultural heritage related to ancient indigenous peoples, mostly of the Paracas culture.

The reserve is home to many species of wildlife, particularly birds (see Paracas Birds, which are largely concentrated at the water's edge in what is called the largest concentration of birds on earth.[2] Near the entrance inside the reserve is the Muséo Sitio de Julio C. Tello. Named for the archeologist who made major discoveries about the ancient Paracas culture, it features artifacts and interpretation, as well as information about the flora and fauna of this unique region.

Protected status

Established in 1975, it is the oldest marine reserve in Peru, and it incorporates a variety of marine habitats and tropical desert. In addition to the biological areas, the reserve protects prehistoric sites of the Paracas culture and other ancient civilizations. Near the museum is the Paracas Necropolis (100 BCE - CE 300), comprising the burial sites known as the Cabezas Largas and Cerro Colorado, where Julio C. Tello found many fine grave goods buried with mummified remains of the Paracas elite.[3]

Also in the reserve is Pampa de Santo Domingo, where archeologists have dated finds of human remains to 6500 BC. Found there was a decorated quena (flute), believed to be the first musical instrument of Peru.[4]

Description

La Catedral, January 2007
La Catedral, November 2000
November 2000 view from within Cathedral cave which no longer exists, destroyed in earthquake of 2007

One of the main geomorphological attraction along the Paracas coast, La Catedral arch (the Cathedral) was destroyed during the 2007 earthquake. The Bahia Lagunillas is bordered with red sand beaches, product of the erosion of porphyry rocks that dominate some of the hills of the Paracas Peninsula. On the Paracas Peninsula is the mysterious geoglyph called the Paracas Candelabro, which is believed to date to the Paracas culture about 200 BCE.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Ramsar List". Ramsar.org. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  2. ↑ Ashley E. Isaacson 2004.
  3. ↑ Pisco: "Museo de Sitio Julio C. Tello", Nile Guide, with material credited to Frommer's, 2010, accessed 4 Nov 2010
  4. ↑ "Paracas National Reserve", Go2Peru, 2000, accessed 4 Nov 2010
  5. ↑ Joseph, Frank; "The Candelabra of the Andes", The Ancient American, 2:10, no. 10, 1995, reproduced at Science Frontiers ONLINE, No. 102: Nov-Dec 1995), accessed 3 Nov 2010

Bibliography

  • Ashley E. Isaacson (13 December 2004), Let's Go Peru 1st Edition, Macmillan, p. 146, ISBN 978-0-312-33566-3 

External links

Coordinates: 14°15′S 75°28′W / 14.250°S 75.467°W / -14.250; -75.467

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