Cerros Guayamurí y Matasiete Natural Monument, Natural monument in La Asuncion, Venezuela.
Cerros Guayamurí y Matasiete Natural Monument is a protected area on Margarita Island in the state of Nueva Esparta, made up of two hills of different heights separated by a lower valley between them. Both hills are covered in dry tropical forest and crossed by a network of trails that connect to viewpoints overlooking the island and the surrounding sea.
Cerro Matasiete was where a turning-point battle took place in 1817 during Venezuela's war of independence, when local defenders used the steep slopes to repel Spanish troops. That victory gave these hills a lasting place in the memory of the region and the country.
The hills are part of daily life for people on Margarita Island, where local families have long gathered medicinal plants that grow on the dry slopes. Visitors who walk the trails can still spot some of these plants, which gives the landscape a meaning beyond its natural setting.
A main road runs around both hills, making it easy to reach the trailheads from different points on the island. The climate is dry and hot, so solid footwear and plenty of water are worth bringing before heading onto the trails.
When seen from certain points on the island, the outline of Cerro Guayamuri looks remarkably similar to Mount Fuji in Japan. This has made that particular angle a favorite spot for photographs among both locals and visitors.
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