Río Blanco National Reserve, National reserve in Los Andes Province, Chile.
Río Blanco National Reserve is a protected area in Los Andes Province covering roughly 10,000 hectares in the foothills of the Andes. The terrain sits near the international road connecting Los Andes city to Argentina and features steep river valleys and rocky slopes.
The reserve was established in 1932 by the Chilean government to protect the Andean landscape and its wildlife. Later amendments in the 1950s refined how the area would be managed and preserved.
The reserve contains thirty-two protected plant species identified in a 2009 survey, with native species representing 94 percent of the total vegetation inventory.
The reserve can be reached by Route 60 from Los Andes city, though visitors should prepare for limited facilities and mountain weather. A private vehicle is needed to explore the area properly, as public access infrastructure is minimal.
The steep cliffs along the Río Blanco river serve as nesting sites for Andean condors, making this one of their key breeding areas. Other elusive animals like mountain pumas and culpeo foxes roam the reserve, though spotting them remains rare for visitors.
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