Alexander von Humboldt National Park, National park in Holguín and Guantánamo Provinces, Cuba.
Alexander von Humboldt National Park lies in the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa mountains of Holguín and Guantánamo provinces, from the coast up to El Toldo Peak at 1,168 m. Its 711 km² hold semi-deciduous and humid tropical forest, pine stands, dry scrub, coastal mangroves and coral reefs. The rivers rising here include the Toa, Cuba's largest by volume.
The park received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2001 for its Cretaceous geological formations that expose ancient oceanic crust. These rock formations represent some of the oldest structures in the Caribbean.
The area served as a refuge for escaped people during the 18th and 19th centuries and contains traces of pre-Columbian settlements. This history has shaped how locals understand the place's importance today.
Visitors can explore the park using designated hiking trails while local guides offer tours focusing on plants, animals, and natural features. It is important to prepare for challenging conditions in the steeper forested areas.
Pinguicula lignicola, the only epiphytic carnivorous plant known in Cuba, grows in the park. The ultrabasic serpentine and peridotite rocks are toxic to many plants, which has driven rapid speciation; more than 340 plant species have a range limited to this area.
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