Protected Areas in South America

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park in northeastern Bolivia is one of the largest, most intact parks in the Amazon Basin and is the site of a rich mosaic of habitat types. This World Heritage Site boasts an evolutionary history dating back over a billion years to the Precambrian period.

The Oxapampa-Ashaninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve and Yanachaga-Chemillen National Park in central Peru comprise the last undisturbed ecosystems in the central jungle. Its location between the Amazon forest lowland and montane cloud forest results in a high diversity of flora and fauna.

Pali-Aike National Park is a protected area in the Magallanes Region of Chile, characterized by its barren, volcanic terrain. It is home to various geological and archaeological features, including a volcanic crater, lava flows, and ancient cave paintings.

Pan de Azúcar National Park is located along the northern coast of Chile. A famous Humboldt penguin breeding ground, it contains the coastal desert of Taltal and the steppe desert of the Sierra Vicuña Mackenna. In addition, the small fishing village of Caleta Pan de Azúcar is located within the Park.

The Pantanal Conservation Area in the Center-West region of Brazil comprises four contiguous protected areas within the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland. The abundance and diversity of its vegetation and animal life are spectacular.

The Paracas National Reserve is a protected area in Peru that protects desert and marine ecosystems, including the Paracas Peninsula and Paracas Bay. In addition, the Ballestas Islands are a group of small islands off the coast of the peninsula that are an essential sanctuary for marine fauna.

The Paraguaná Peninsula is between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Venezuela in northwestern Venezuela. It is connected to the rest of the country by a natural isthmus. Médanos de Coro National Park, located along the Médanos Isthmus, is known for its massive dunes.

Located between the Serra da Bocaina mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, this cultural and natural landscape includes the historic center of Paraty, the island of Ilha Grande, as well as four protected natural areas of the Atlantic Forest, one of the world's critical biodiversity hotspots.

Parima Tapirapecó National Park is a vital part of the Guayanan Highlands moist forests ecoregion. The park is home to a variety of plants and animals, including many that are found nowhere else on Earth. The park also protects the headwaters of the Orinoco River, which is one of the largest rivers in South America.

Nestled along the rugged coastline of Chubut Province in Argentine Patagonia, the Patagonia Azul Biosphere Reserve stands as a testament to this region's incredible beauty and biodiversity. Recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, this vast protected area covers an impressive area, making it the largest in Argentina. With its pristine landscapes, unique geological formations, and rich flora and fauna, the Patagonia Azul Biosphere Reserve is a true natural wonder.