Katana VentraIP

Los Roques Archipelago

The Los Roques Archipelago[2][3] (Spanish: Archipiélago de Los Roques)[4][5] is a federal dependency of Venezuela consisting of approximately 350 islands, cays, and islets in a total area of 40.61 square kilometers. The archipelago is located 128 kilometers (80 mi) directly north of the port of La Guaira, in the Caribbean Sea.

For the reef in The Bahamas, see Los Roques (Cay Sal Bank).

Native name:
Dependencia Federal Archipiélago Los Roques
Nickname: Los Roques

Caribbean Sea

11°51′27″N 66°45′27″W / 11.85750°N 66.75750°W / 11.85750; -66.75750

350

Gran Roque

40.61 km2 (15.68 sq mi)

120 m (390 ft)

Cerro El Cabezón

Gran Roque

3,100 (2014)

44.32/km2 (114.79/sq mi)

Parque Nacional Archipiélago Los Roques

4 September 1996

856[1]

The islands' pristine coral reef attracts many wealthy visitors, especially from Europe, some of whom come in their own yachts and anchor in the inner, protected shallow waters. Development and tourism are controlled.


Because of the wide variety of seabirds and rich aquatic life, the Venezuelan government declared Los Roques a National Park in 1972.[6]

In the first place is found the Integral Protection area, which is the most protected, and which includes the following keys: Sebastopol, Esparquí, Boca de Cote, (for its coral reefs and interesting mangroves); Los Canquises, (for the flamingos and other colonies of seabirds that breed there); Selesqui, (for being an important breeding area for sea turtles and seabirds), and Isla Larga (for the extensive coral reefs, colonies of , turtles that use this island for their reproduction). Only scientific research is allowed in this area, with prior authorization of the national park authorities.

seabirds

The second zone called the Primitiva Marina zone comprises the waters around these keys, in addition to the eastern barrier and the keys Sal, Dos Mosquises, Carenero, and Bequevé, because they are considered ecologically sensitive areas. The activities allowed in this area are boating, sailing and motor sailing along the indicated routes, swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, sport fishing, hiking on marked trails and visiting and observing nature. in groups of no more than 15 people.

Cayo de Agua

Federal Dependencies of Venezuela

List of marine molluscs of Venezuela

List of national parks of Venezuela

List of sponges of Venezuela