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Isla del Coco National Park (World Heritage status)

ExploreCostaRica.com Isla Del Coco

Location: The Isla del Coco National Park is located some 532 kms far from Costa Rica. The journey to this island is often described as a beautiful event. As you sail over crystal clear waters and look down on the ocean floor it suggests the presence of all the beauty of sea with coral reefs and multi-colored fishes. This island is one of the chief islands of the Eastern Tropical Pacific comprising the islands of Clipperton, Malpelo Galapagos and Cocos. Isla del Coco National Park has been accorded a world heritage site status due to the uniqueness of its location and its endemic species.

Heritage and history: The Isla del Coco National Park is steeped in history which the cartographers and mariners discovered as early as the16th century. It finds its mention in a map stemming from the year 1541 which was passed on. History has left its marks also in the form of engravings of various ships on the rocks of this place. The fresh waters of the place, fishes and coconuts made it an immensely popular stopover destination. There are many stories related to this land being a buried treasure. Treasure sure it was and it still is. The Island is home to some 60 endemic species and a repertoire of beautiful flora and fauna.

Topography of Isla del Coco National Park: The place has a circumference of about 23 kms. The islands around the area are made up of columnar basalt, the Isla del Coco National Park is a part of the volcanic chain submerged under water. The entire place is fashioned unevenly with a lot of steep sloping cliffs. The highest point of the place is Cerro Iglesias, situated almost 600 meters above the sea level. The coral reefs of the island form a splendid destination for divers. You can also go for snorkelling here. There are some ninety-seven molluscs and fifty-seven crustaceans.

Animal species: There are many species of animals like pigs, cots, goats, rats, and whitetail deer. About 60 species of animals that are endemic. There are about 97 species of birds found here. The three endemic bird species are: the Cocos Island cuckoo, Cocs IIsland flycatcher and Cocos Island finch .The cliffs of the area serve as an important haven for birds like Boobies, Seagulls and Noddies which mate here.

Floral species: the Isla del Coco National Park is covered with evergreen forests. There have been some 175 species of vascular plants. The most commonly found trees include guarumo copey the iron wood tree palm and the Euterpe precatoria

Climate: The weather in the area is favorable for flourishing of tropical forests and many endemic species also.