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| BRAULIO
CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK |
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Braulio Carrillo Nacional Park was established on April 15, 1978. It is the
most extensive of the parks in the central part of the country with 47.582 ha.
and it is administrated as part of the Cordillera Volcánica Central Conservation
Area. It is of considerable importance for protection of hydraulic resources,
since many of the streams that provide water to the Central Valley originate
within the boundaries of the park. Braulio Carrillo includes Barva Volcano as
well as Cacho Negro and Zurquí peaks, among others. All are of volcanic
origin.
There are two park stations: Quebrada González, along the Braulio Carrillo
highway, and Volcán Barva, 4 km from Sacramento, near Barva, in Heredia.
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| HISTORY |
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The park takes its name from Braulio Carrillo, the third head
of state of Costa Rica, who governed from 1837-42. He promoted the cultivation
of coffee during his administration, and conceived the prospect of connecting
the Central Valley with the Caribbean region in order to transport the crop
to European markets. Other governments continued with the idea. In 1881, during
the administration of General. Tomás Guardia, a cobblestone road was
built from Paracito de Moravia to the confluence of the Hondura and Sucio rivers.
The completion of the railroad to Limón in 1891 and the destruction of
bridges caused the abandonment of the road. In 1977 the current San José-Guápiles
highway was started. Thanks to lobbying by environmental groups, the area was
declared a National Park by executive decree the next year, primarily to pre-empt
settlement in this zone of steep slopes, high mountains, and heavy forest with
a diverse fauna.
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| FLORA
AND FAUNA |
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In general the National Park is covered with evergreen forest
of great density and botanical complexity. The better part is primary forest,
which contains about 6.000 species of plants, half the total for the country.
“Manú” (caryocar costaricensis), caoba (Swietenia macrobhylla),
“roble” (Querecus costaricensis) caobilla (carapa guianesis), and
“gavilán” (Pentaclethra macrolaba) are fairly common. Other
trees include “botarrama” (Vochysia ferrugnea) “ceiba”
(ceibapentondra), “yos” (Sapium pittieri), “lorito”
(Weinmannia pinnata), and “ojoche” (Brosinum costaricanum). Several
species in danger of extinction are present in the park including ‘nazareno’
(Peltogyne purpurea), “jicaro” (Crescentia alata), “palmito
dulce,” and “súrtuba” (geonoma binervia) On the higher
parts of Barva volcano the flora includes species Iike “ciprecillo”
(Escallonia poassana) “candelillo” (Magnolia poasana) and “roble
blanco’ (Quercus sp.).
The park supports a great diversity of animal and bird life.
The avifauna includes more than 500 species including resident and migratory
species. Lome species that can be observed include King vulture, Three-wattled
Bellbird (Procnias tricarunculata), Resplendent Quetzal (Pharonmachrus mocinno),
and Black faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops). Mammals include White-faced
(Cebus capuchinus), mantled Howler (Alouatta palliata), arid Spider (Ateles
geoffroyi) monkeys, Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus Bairdii), Puma (Felis concolor),
jaguar (Panthera onca), Collared Peccary (tayssu pecari), Red Brocket Deer (Mazama
americana), and Coyote (Canis latrans).
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| QUEBRADA
GONZALEZ SECTOR |
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The Quebrada Gonzalez sector is located 2 km east of the Sucio river bridge
on the Guapiles highway, at an elevation of 500 meters. The area has a very
rainy climate, and is characterized by an evergreen rain forest that makes it
an excellent area to study and observe plants and animals. A good trail goes
from the station into the forest. The nearby Sucio River is a dominant feature;
its waters carry volcanic minerals, producing the characteristic color.
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| VOLCAN
BARVA SECTOR |
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This area is made up of a volcanic rnassif about 100 square kilometers in size.
Currently there are only a few gas vents and thermal springs, though some writers
tell of an eruption in l.772. There are several lakes of volcanic origin, the
most attractive of which is the Laguna Barva at 70 meters in diameter and 8,
6 meters in depth, with an average temperature of II degrees, surrounded by
an exuberant cloud forest. Also accessible is the Laguna Copey, 40 meters across
and with similar water temperatures.
