Protected Areas in South America

Aparados da Serra National Park is situated within the Serra Geral in the south of Brazil, the southern portion of the greater Serra do Mar system. Created in 1959 to protect the Itaimbezinho Canyon, today, the main goal is to conserve the grasslands, forests, and cliff vegetation ecosystems.

Araguaia National Park is in the Brazilian state of Tocantins on Bananal Island, Earth's largest known river island. The northern one-third of the island, designated as a National Park, is a popular destination for ecotourism. The southern two-thirds are indigenous territories.

The Atlantic Forest Southeast Reserves contain some of Brazil's best and most extensive examples of Atlantic Forest. The 25 protected areas that make up the World Heritage Site display the biological wealth and evolutionary history of one of the most threatened biomes in the world.

The Aucanquilcha volcano is in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile, between the Loa River and the border with Bolivia. It is located within the Alto Loa National Reserve and part of the Central Volcanic Zone. Several sulfur mines lie within the Aucanquilcha complex.

The Avireri-Vraem Biosphere Reserve is located in the provinces of Satipo and La Convención of central Peru. It is one of the largest reserves in Central and South America, composed of two large coastal lagoon systems and a wide variety of natural ecosystems.

Located on the La Guajira Peninsula, at the northernmost tip of Colombia, the Bahía Portete - Kaurrele National Natural Park boasts a stunning coastline. It sits between Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas and is known as the northernmost National Park in South America. This sanctuary is where the Caribbean Sea meets the arid La Guajira Desert, creating a unique and beautiful natural landscape.

Deep within the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, nestled in the departments of Madre de Dios and Puno, lies the breathtaking Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, a protected area that has captured the imagination of nature lovers and conservationists alike. This vast expanse harbors some of the world's wildest and least-impacted habitats, a true testament to the region's remarkable biodiversity and ecological significance of the area.

The Bañados del Este Biosphere Reserve in eastern Uruguay comprises a remarkable complex of ecosystems and a vast complex of coastal wetlands. Together, these form a rich habitat for wildlife, including near-threatened or endangered species.

The Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve is a private reserve in the Andes Mountains within the Pichincha Province of northwestern Ecuador. It is renowned for its lush cloud forests and stunning biodiversity and is a popular destination for ecotourism.

One of the first protected areas to be established in Bolivia, the Beni Biosphere Reserve is located at the convergence of three biogeographical zones: the Amazon, the Chaco, and the Cerrado. The reserve is home to important indigenous Amazonian groups.