Anacaona National Park
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| Anacaona National Park | |
|---|---|
  Location of Anacaona National Park in the Dominican Republic | |
 Interactive map of Anacaona National Park | |
| Location | Dominican Republic |
| Coordinates | 18°36′N 71°08′W / 18.60°N 71.13°W |
| Area | 538.93 km2 (208.08 sq mi) |
| Designation | National Park |
| Designated | 2009 |
Parque Nacional Anacaona is a protected area in the southwestern Dominican Republic, spanning 583.93 km² across the provinces of Barahona, Azua, San Juan, and Baoruco.[2] The park encompasses diverse ecosystems, including dry forests, transitional forests, mixed forests, and humid forests, with notable geological formations and biodiversity.
Name
Parque Nacional Anacaona was established by Decree 571-09 under IUCN Category II (National Park), with the aim of protecting the virgin forests of the eastern Sierra de Neyba, as well as the faults, canyons, and meanders that resulted from geological shifts that altered the course of the Yaque del Sur River.[3]
The park's name refers to the Queen Anacaona (1474-1503) of Taino origin, who ruled the Chiefdom of Jaragua after the death of her brother Bohechío. She was condemned to death by hanging by Governor Nicolás de Ovando.[4]
Geography
The park protects a vast area of dry forest on the eastern side of the Sierra de Neiba. It consists of a mountainous region with elevations ranging from 80 to 950 meters above sea level.[3]
Geology
The region's geological history includes significant fault lines and land shifts that altered the course of the Yaque del Sur River redirecting its outflow from Azua to its current drainage in near Barahona. The park contains volcanic and sedimentary rock formations dating back to the late Quaternary period.[4][5]
Climate
The park features diverse climatic conditions due to its varied topography. Temperatures range from 23°C in humid forested areas to 25°C in exposed lowland regions. Annual rainfall varies between 400 and 1,000 mm, with wetter conditions at higher elevations.[5]
Hydrology
Despite the predominance of dry forest ecosystems, the park contains several key water sources, including portions of the Yaque del Sur River and some of its tributaries. These waterways are essential for agriculture in the surrounding valleys. The park also harbors a freshwater wetland, Laguna Caney, an anomaly within an otherwise arid matrix. This small, high-altitude lagoon supports species that are otherwise absent or rare in the surrounding dry forests, functioning as a refugium.[5]