Delta del Orinoco National Park, National park in eastern Venezuela
Delta del Orinoco National Park is a protected area of mangrove forests, river channels, and dense vegetation spread across the Orinoco River mouth. The terrain is dominated by waterways and wetlands where freshwater from the river mixes with seawater in complex patterns.
The park was established in 1991 as a protected area to conserve the complex ecosystems of the Orinoco Delta region. This designation came after growing concern about the need to preserve these distinctive habitats for the future.
The Warao people shape the daily life of these waterways through their stilt houses, traditional boats, and fishing camps scattered along the canals. Their presence is woven into the landscape, showing how communities have adapted to living entirely on water.
Access requires permission from local authorities and exploration is done almost entirely by boat through the water system. Visitors should prepare for hot, humid weather with heavy insect protection, as the wetland environment supports large insect populations.
The park is known for its caños, narrow channels where river freshwater meets ocean salt water to create specialized zones. These mixing areas support unusual species that have adapted to living in both freshwater and saltwater environments simultaneously.
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