Chiloé National Park is a national park in Chile, located on the western coast of Chiloé Island in the Los Lagos Region (region of the lakes). The park covers an area of 430.57 km² (166 sq mi) and is divided into two main areas. The smaller area, called Chepu, is located in the commune of Ancud. The larger area, called Anay, is located in the communes of Dalcahue, Castro, and Chonchi. Most of the park is in the foothills of the Chilean Coastal Range, also called the Cordillera del Piuchén. The park includes areas with dunes, Valdivian temperate rainforests, swamps, and peat bogs. A small part of the park, called Metalqui, is an islet with an area of 0.5 km² (0.19 sq mi). It is located between 42°07′ and 42°13′ south latitude and between 73°55′ and 74°09′ west longitude. The approximate coordinates are 42°06′S 74°01′W (42.10°S 74.02°W).

History

The park was established by a law called Supreme Chilean Decree N° 734 in 1982. Over time, its total area has lost more than 45 square kilometers (17 square miles) because land that was once part of the protected area is now used by people.

Climate

The climate is wet and temperate, with average yearly temperatures of 11 °C (52 °F). Rainfall is plentiful and occurs evenly throughout the year, but amounts depend on the height of the land. Along the Pacific coast, more than 3,000 mm (120 in) of rain fall each year. In the higher areas of the Piuchén, nearly 5,000 mm (200 in) of rain fall annually. On the dry eastern slopes, as little as 2,500 mm (98 in) of rain is recorded each year.

Flora

The main type of plants in this area is the Valdivian forest, a thick forest made up of trees that live many years, shrubs, and climbing plants. The rainforests include evergreen trees called southern beech (Nothofagus) and some local cone-bearing trees, such as the impressive alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides). Large areas of wetlands and marshes are found in the hills. The Chilean rhubarb is also very common in this region.

Fauna

The island of Chiloe and the Gulf of Corcovado are famous because of a local population of pygmy blue whales. The Cetacean Conservation Center studies these whales through the Blue Whale Project. There are only four or more known feeding areas for pygmy blue whales and other blue whales in the Southern Hemisphere, including the Chiloe region. In this area, whales often enter narrow fiords to feed or rest. This region is also an important habitat for other whale species, such as humpbacks, finbacks, seis, and possibly the critically endangered Peru/Chilean stock of southern right whales, which has only about 30 remaining animals. Whales can also be seen near the shore on the southern side of the island, such as near Caleta Zorra.

The area has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports large populations of Chilean pigeons, slender-billed parakeets, black-throated huet-huets, and chucao tapaculos.