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The protected area preserves homonymous mountain system, its historical, cultural and natural values. |
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GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE AREA
PN Lihue Calel (Lihue Calel National Park) was created on 1977 and has in 9.901 hectares in the south centre of La Pampa province, Lihue Calel department. It belongs to the tableland and steppe mount eco-region.
Inside the landscapes the outstanding are Lihue Calel mountains, which are 600 metres height over the sea level, with low slopes in the north side and abrupt slopes in the other side. The dominant ambient of the park is the mont.
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CULTURAL RESOURCES
Many archaeological sites show that prehistorically human groups used to live in that region and took advantage of the conditions that offered the land. The Pinturas Valley is a sample of the late cave painting of the region. The representations have geometrical motives in black and red, and were painted 2000 years ago.
Lihue Calel mountains permit the water accumulation, which was essential for the development of varied flora and fauna of the region. This micro ambient was improved intensely by the man since prehistorically times.
Besides a safety water provision, those hunter-collectors used to have an inexhaustible font of resources: seeds and Calden and Chañar fruits, “guanacos”, “choiques” and “piches”; rocks to produce tuels, mineral pigments to pain and high wall to express their ways of live. Many sites of the Park offers a traditional space for art and for died people rest.
The old tehuelches and araucanos that used to live in the pampas in the 19 th century, also chose these mountains as a very important whereabouts for their travels between the Mountain Chain and territories of Buenos Aires. One of their caciques, Namuncura, took his name from the famous valley of the protected area.
In the end of the century, the white colonization of these territories started exactly there, where there are better conditions for drinkable water, sow, build stone house and raise animals.
Other historical rests like the “Casa de Piedra”, belongs to the previous times of the colonization after “Campaña del Desierto”.
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NATURAL RESOURCES
Landscapes. Flora and fauna
Inside the landscapes the outstanding are Lihue Calel mountains, which are 600 metres height over the sea level, with low slopes in the north side and abrupt slopes in the other side. The dominant ambient of the park is the mont, with characteristic vegetation of “jarilla” bushes, little isolated “chañar”, “piquilin”, “mata chilladora” and “incienso” forests.
Lihue Calel mountains keeps some wet sectors that neighbouring areas, because the terrain in more waterproof and in rain season little seasonable (autumn-spring) brooks roam filter in sandy lands. This make possible little “caldenes” forests, which is a typical formation of the area called “isles de monte”.
Also this region is a singular habitat inside the plain and dry region. There are three endemic plants in these mountains: two “margaritas”, and a “leguminosa”.
Inside the “roquedales” a various flora is developed, outstanding the “helechos”, “claveles del aire” and many “cetaceas” like “cardon pencas” and “traicioneras”.
On stony wall “liquines” can be observed making circle yellow, orange and black figures. The zone is covered by a varied fauna composed by “vizcachas”, “cuisse”, “guanacos”, “maras”, “zorros”, “hurones”, pumas and “lagartos colorados”.
Between the birds that live and frequent the region are: “martineta”, “gallito copeton”, “halconcito gris” and “cardinal Amarillo”. The last specimen is very chase for its commercialization as a domestic animal. When “calden” fruits mature, come to the region groups of “loros barranqueros” looking for seeds of these trees.
Many animals like “tuco-tuco” and “armadillos” like the “pinche” live in caves as a strategy to escape from high temperatures.
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CLIMATE
The weather is dry and warm, with rains that goes from 100 and 200 mm, and marked thermal amplitudes. Short rains determine a dry climate characterized by marked temperature amplitudes. These conditions are the cause of half dry ambient that surrounded the Park. However, Lihue Calel mountains contribute to keep water from rains and to moderate temperatures during the summer. |
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ACCESS
The access to the PN Lihue Calel (Lihue Calel National Park) is over National Route Nº 152, 120 kilometres in the southwest of General Acha locality and 220 kilometres from Santa Rosa (capital city of La Pampa).
The nearest locality is Puelches, 35 kilometres far from the protected area. |
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WALKS AND SERVICES
Next to the administrative area of the Park there are toilets. Between the walks that visitors that do along the area, there are the followings:
Interpretative Path
“El Huitru” Path: It starts in the campsite and it is the beginning of the ascent path to “Sociedad Cientifica” hill. It shows the characteristics of the mont, its vegetables and animals.
“Valle de las Pinturas” Path: It covers 600 metres and makes possible to see the use that native people give to the area, arriving to an eave with cave paintings.
“Valle Namuncura” Path: It starts in the campsite and it is the beginning of the ascent path to Cerro Alto. It shows the characteristics of the mont, its vegetable and animals.
Ascent to Sociedad Cientifica hill (590 metres): It gives a great view from the top (the highest point of the protected area), which is difficult to reach.
Visitors also can visit the old Santa Maria de Lihue Calel stay, which belonged to Luis Gallardo's family up to 1964, when La Pampa province expropriated the property with tourist objectives, and they donated it to the Administracion de Parques Nacionales.
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SUGGESTIONS
It is suggested to visitors:
-Pay attention to the indications of the protected area. That will contribute to protect the area.
-When you entry to the Park with your car, drive slowly and along authorized routes.
-Remember that it is not allowed entry with guns.
-If you will camp and generated garbage, go back with it.
-Avoid play stereos and make other noises
-Consult the foresters if you have any doubt.
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CONTACTS
Lihue Calel National Park
P.O Box 53
(8.200) General Acha
La Pampa, Argentina
Telephone number: (029) 52-436596, 52-432639
E-mail address: lihuecalel@apn.gov.ar
Administración de Parques Nacionales
690, Santa Fe St.- C1059ABN
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Telephone numbers: (011) 4311-6633/0303 |
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