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By
road: Take the highway
that links up Coro and
Puerto Cabello,
turning off afterwards
onto the highway that
crosses the Isthmus
toward Punto Fijo or
Adícora. It can also
be reached from
Barquisimeto, Cardón,
and Maracaibo. The bus
terminal is located
at: Avenida Rómulo
Gallegos. Tel.:
252.80.70.
By air: Fly into the
José Leonardo
Chirinos International
Airport. Avenida
Josefa Camejo. Tel.:
251.52.90.
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Data |
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Telephone
Area Code: (0268).
Population: 175,000
people.
Average temperature:
27 °C.
Rainy season: From
October to December
(sparse).
Altitude: 16 m.a.s.l.
Distance:
· Caracas: 446 Km.
· Maracaibo: 254 Km.
· Barquisimeto: 279
Km.
· Barcelona: 763 Km.
· Mérida: 700 Km.
· Ciudad Bolívar:
963 Km.
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These sand dunes
are located at Km. 5 on the road to Coro on
the Paraguaná Peninsula. The area was made a
National Park on February 6, 1974. It extends
from Coro to Punto Fijo, crossing the isthmus
of the Paraguaná peninsula, and covers an
area of 91,280 hectares along the 34 Km length
of los Médanos isthmus, of which 42,160
hectares are on land and 49,120 in the sea.
The surface of these sand dunes is always
exposed to the action of the wind, which
constantly alters their shape. The dunes rise
to an average of 20 m.a.s.l. They are
surrounded by mangrove swamps, thorny and
herbaceous vegetation and coastal plant
communities. The sand dunes dominate the
landscape with their imposing and changing
presence due to the action of the wind,
forming a stark limitless desert in a few
short kilometers.
Temperatures in the area reach an average of
28 °C, with very sparse rainfall. Around the
dunes are plant species that are able to
thrive with the very little rainfall that
nature allots to the area, such as sponge
trees, thistle and prickly pear cactus. These
plants take advantage of the evening sea
breezes off the ocean to turn them into small
drops that settle on their tiny leaves and
cactus prickles. Wildlife is scarce, with a
predominance of reptiles, alligators and
iguanas. The mammal species that are present
include goats, foxes, anteaters, rabbits and
bats, while the birds are hawks, partridges, daras,
pigeons, troupials and a type of cardinal.
No permits are needed to enter the park.
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Tourist
Attractions |
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 Los
Médanos (the sand dunes)
The Isthmus of Médanos is a belt 34 Km long
and 5 Km wide, which rises to an average of 20
m. above sea level. The main attractions of
the park are its sand dunes, sand banks and
nitrous wetlands.
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 The
plant life
As in all arid or desert areas, the vegetation
in Los Médanos is sparse, with no more than
60 plant species, particularly prickly pears,
thistles and cacti.
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 The
animal life
Like the flora, the wildlife fauna is also
sparse. One can find reptiles, alligators,
iguanas, partridges, troupials, cardinals,
bats, anteaters and foxes, among other
species.
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