Lake Peñuelas (National Reserve)

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Lake Peñuelas

The Lago Peñuelas National Reserve is located in Chile in the Región de Valparaíso . He is a biosphere reserve of UNESCO .

geography

The national park is located around 30 km east of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar and has an area of ​​92 km².

history

Between 1895 and 1900 the large artificial lake Lago Peñuelas was created. He served for the water supply of the higher parts of the city of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar . It is 337 to 613 m above sea level.

The Lago Peñuelas National Reserve was established in 1952 and is subordinate to the Chilean forest authority CONAF . The UNESCO declared the national reserve in 1984 for Biosphere Reserve .

Flora and fauna

The lake is surrounded by a gentle hilly landscape with forests from:

  • Quillai trees ( Quillaja saponaria , also soap bark tree)
  • Litri trees ( Lithraea caustica )
  • Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle )
  • Boldo shrubs ( Peumus boldus )

Foxes, beavers ( coupu ), chinchillas and other rodent species live in the forests . A lot of water birds like ducks and swans live at the reservoir. The reservoir is very rich in fish.

Lake Peñuelas is very popular with tourists; it is ideal for hiking, bird watching, fishing and picnicking.