Protected Areas in South America

Nestled in the northeastern reaches of Brazil, Chapada Diamantina unfolds as a vibrant region of extraordinary landscapes and rugged mountainous terrain within the Brazilian Highlands. This region is situated within the Brazilian Highlands and is geographically diverse and culturally rich. Chapada Diamantina National Park, an integral part of the Chapada Diamantina region, is a testament to its ecological importance.

The Chicamocha Canyon, located within the Colombian Andes, is among the largest in the world. Chicamocha National Park, also known as Panachi, is a major tourist attraction due to is spectacular landscape and the variety of outdoor activities that it offers. 

Chiloé National Park, located along the vast and desolate west coast of Chiloé Island in southern Chile, is rich with wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, whales, and seabirds. It includes zones of dunes, temperate rainforests, swamps, and peat bogs.

Chingaza National Natural Park is in the Cordillera Occidental of the Colombian Andes. Situated within the Orinoco River basin, it contains numerous natural glacial lakes and is an important source of drinking water.

Nestled in Ecuador's northern region, just northwest of Quito, lies a pristine wilderness teeming with biodiversity and cultural heritage—the Chocó Andino de Pichincha Biosphere Reserve. Spanning from the outer foothills to the inner reaches of the western cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes, this reserve is a haven for unique flora, fauna, and archaeological treasures. The Biosphere Reserve presents a tapestry of landscapes, each contributing to the region's remarkable biodiversity.

The Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta Biosphere Reserve is located in northern Colombia and contains one of the largest coastal wetlands in Latin America. It comprises Isla de Salamanca National Natural Park as well as the Flora and Fauna Sanctuary of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta.

The Cinturón Andino Biosphere Reserve is located at the Macizo Colombiano in the Andes of southern Colombia. It comprises three National Parks: the Cueva de los Guácharos National Park, the Puracé National Park, and the Nevado del Huila National Park.

Conguillío National Park constitutes the core area of the Araucarias Biosphere Reserve, while the Alto Biobío National Reserve constitutes the buffer zone. The protected area is characterized by extensive Araucarias and Nothofagus forests and the Llaima volcano, one of Chile's largest and most active.

Corcovado National Park, in southern Chile, features vast expanses of untouched, unexplored land, including hidden corners of the Gulf of Corcovado. The Corcovado Volcano overlooks this difficult-to-access park, habitat for various endangered species.

Cordillera del Cóndor is a mountain range in the eastern Andes that is shared by and part of the international border between Ecuador and Peru. El Cóndor National Park is located in Ecuador, bordering the Santiago-Comaina protected area of Peru.