Maricao State Forest

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maricao State Forest
Spanish: Bosque Estatal de Maricao
Monte del Estado.jpg
Water stream at El Monte del Estado
Map
Map showing the location of Maricao State Forest
Map showing the location of Maricao State Forest
Geography
LocationMaricao, Sabana Grande, San Germán
Coordinates18°07′22″N 66°58′29″W / 18.1227371°N 66.9746221°W / 18.1227371; -66.9746221Coordinates: 18°07′22″N 66°58′29″W / 18.1227371°N 66.9746221°W / 18.1227371; -66.9746221[1]
Elevation1,417 feet (432 m)[1]
Area10,803 acres (43.72 km2)[2]
Administration
Established1919[2]
Governing bodyPuerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

Maricao State Forest (Spanish: Bosque Estatal de Maricao) is located on the island of Puerto Rico, spread through the towns of San Germán, Sabana Grande and Maricao. It is commonly known as Monte del Estado in Spanish due to the fact that it was one of the first forests in Puerto Rico to be designated a state forest in its official name.[3]

The forest is located on the western region of the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico, and encompasses 10,803 acres (43.72 km2) of land in a high rainfall area. Guanajibo River and Añasco River flow through the forest.

History[]

The Maricao State Forest was created after a proclamation on December 22, 1919.[2] The forest has hiking trails and is featured in Caribbean guides[4] as an important destination for birdwatching.[5]

Biology and ecology[]

"Casa de Piedra" ruins, Monte del Estado

Flora[]

There are 1,164 species of plants in the forest. Of the 128 species of endemic plants of Puerto Rico, 23 are in the Maricao State Forest. There are plantations of mahogany, eucalyptus, Honduras pine, and others.[2]

Fauna[]

There are 136 species of birds recorded in the park, 23 of which are endemic. Some examples are the Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus venator), which is an endangered subspecies, and the Puerto Rican emerald (Chlorostilbon maugaeus).[2]

Climate[]

In summer the climate is warm and humid. Thunderstorms are common, along with temperature around 85 °F with heat index in the upper 90s during the daytime. In summer, nighttime is usually cool with low temperature in the mid- to lower 60s. In winter, it is very dry, the forest with mild temperature in daytime and cold in nighttime. Occasional days drop to 40 °F with mid-30s wind chill.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Bosque Estatal de Maricao". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. ^ a b c d e "12 Jun El Bosque Estatal de Maricao". Departmento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Maricao, Puerto Rico". welcome.topuertorico.org. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  4. ^ DK Travel (20 September 2016). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Caribbean. DK Publishing. pp. 214–. ISBN 978-1-4654-5979-4.
  5. ^ Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. (2008). Fodor's Puerto Rico. Fodor's Travel Publications. pp. 247–. ISBN 978-1-4000-0731-8.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""