Parque Nacional de los Esteros de Farrapos e Islas del Río Uruguay, Nature reserve along Uruguay River in Río Negro Department, Uruguay.
The national park lies along the Uruguay River in Río Negro and protects a complex system of wetlands with 24 islands scattered throughout. These environments change seasonally as river floods reshape waterways and shorelines across the reserve.
The area gained international recognition in 1971 when it was designated as a Ramsar wetland site. The formal establishment as a national park came later through official decree in 2008.
The villages around the reserve, including those with roots in Russian settlement, continue agricultural work that shapes daily life in the region. People here have adapted their livelihoods to the river's natural rhythm over many generations.
The best way to explore is by kayak, canoe, or organized boat tour with experienced local guides who know the waterways. Plan visits outside peak rainy seasons when water levels are more manageable for navigation.
The reserve hosts more than 200 bird species that rely on wetlands for feeding and migration. The maned wolf, a large and endangered canid native to South America, finds rare refuge in these isolated areas.
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