Turquino National Park

Turquino National Park, also known as Sierra Maestra National Park, is a national park in Santiago de Cuba Province, southeastern Cuba.

Turquino National Park
Parque Nacional Turquino
Map showing the location of Turquino National Park Parque Nacional Turquino
Map showing the location of Turquino National Park Parque Nacional Turquino
Location of Turquino National Park in Santiago de Cuba Province, Cuba
LocationSantiago de Cuba Province, Cuba
Nearest cityGuamá
Coordinates19°59′22″N 76°50′9″W / 19.98944°N 76.83583°W / 19.98944; -76.83583
Area229.38 km2 (88.56 sq mi)[1]
EstablishedJanuary 8, 1980[2]

Geography

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Cuban moist forests in Turquino National Park.

The park is located in the Sierra Maestra mountain range. It is 50 km (31 mi) west of Guamá, in Guamá Municipality of Santiago de Cuba Province.

The park protects a total area of 229.38 km2 (88.56 sq mi).[1] It was established on January 8, 1980, with the passing of bill 27/1980.[2]

The park was named for Pico Turquino, the highest point in Cuba at 1,975 m (6,480 ft) in elevation. Other mountains in Turquino National Park include Pico Cuba, Pico Real, and Pico Suecia.

 
The Sierra Maestra mountains with Cuban pine forests in the park.
 
Las Cuevas trailhead at the coast.

Ecology

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The park has tropical forest habitats, including the lower elevation Cuban moist forests and higher elevation Cuban pine forests ecoregions.

The park's area includes a section of Cuba's southeastern coast habitat, at the beach of Marea del Portillo.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b National Protected Areas System of Cuba. "Protected Areas". Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  2. ^ a b Radio Habana. "Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2007-10-04. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
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