La Guajira Desert

For other uses, see Guajira (disambiguation).
Dunes in La Guajira Desert

La Guajira Desert is located in the northernmost part of Colombia, 1,100 km (680 mi) north of Bogota, in the La Guajira Department, covering most of La Guajira Peninsula including Venezuelan territory. The area holds immense coal reserves, exploited in a zone known as El Cerrejon. The area is also home to the indigenous Wayuu people. The Wayuu are mostly herders. They also are master deep sea divers. They dive to collect pearls.[1] There is also a variety of desert flora and fauna.

The National Natural Park of Macuira is located in the La Guajira Desert and is a tropical oasis. It has been a national park since 1977. The park covers 25,000 hectares (62,000 acres) in La Guiajira’s only mountain chain, and ranges in altitude from 0 to 450 metres (1,480 ft). It has a warm climate of about 27 °C (81 °F).

References

  1. ↑ "La Guajira Peninsula". ColombiaExplorer.com. Retrieved 30 January 2013.

External links

Coordinates: 12°04′18″N 71°35′52″W / 12.07167°N 71.59778°W / 12.07167; -71.59778

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