Copo National Park | |
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Parque Nacional Copo | |
IUCN category II (
national park) | |
Location | Santiago del Estero Province, Argentina |
Coordinates | 25°58′S 61°53′W / 25.967°S 61.883°W |
Area | 118,118 ha (456.06 sq mi) |
Established | November 22, 2000[1] |
Governing body | Administración de Parques Nacionales |
Copo National Park ( Spanish: Parque Nacional Copo) is a federal protected area in Santiago del Estero Province, Argentina. Established on 22 November 2000, [1] it houses a representative sample of the Dry Chaco biodiversity in average state of conservation. Located in the Copo Department, it has an area of 118,118 ha (1,181.18 km2; 456.06 sq mi).
The climate is warm, with annual rainfall between 500–700 mm (20–28 in). A large part of the park is made up of forests, with the Santiago red quebracho (quebracho colorado santiagueño) being its characteristic tree species. This tree has a strong wood and high content of tannin, and in the past it suffered a devastating exploitation in other parts of the country. At the beginning of the 20th century, Santiago del Estero was 80% quebracho scrubland; nowadays only 20% remain.
Some of the endangered species that live in this park include the maned wolf, [2] jaguar, the giant anteater, the chacoan peccary and the giant armadillo.