Overview:

is a protected area in central Chile’s metropolitan area around Santiago, located about 60 kilometers south of the capital city. It covers around 15,000 hectares and protects the high mountain ecosystems of the Central Andes Mountain Range, which includes glaciers, alpine meadows, high-altitude bogs, and lagoons. To the southwest, it borders the El Morado Natural Park. It is a natural monument that was declared a National Monument in 2012. It is also a popular tourist destination for people wanting to learn more about the local flora and fauna, and to hike and camp in the area. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Chile
Prominent Features:

1. Natural Monument: El Morado Natural Monument is a protected natural monument located in the Central Andes Region of Chile. This region is home to a wide variety of remarkable plant and animal species, as well as immense geologic formations. 2. Geological Formations: El Morado has a variety of geological formations such as morro, maize, andesite ridges, and petrified forests. It also has sandstone and sedimentary cliffs offering spectacular views. 3. Plant and Animal Species: El Morado Natural Monument is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including some unique species such as the endangered Darwin Fox and the endemic Common Veined Treefrog. 4. Glacial Lakes: Visiting this area will also allow you to discover its two iconic glacial lakes, El Morado and La Nina. 5. Hiking Trails: Visitors can also explore the many hiking trails traveling through the spectacular rock formations, which are accompanied by unique landscapes, plants, and animals. This national monument of Chile portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

El Morado Natural Monument is located in the mountainous region of Santiago, Chile. It was designated a natural reserve in 1984 and is part of the Alto Maipo protected area. The region was inhabited by the indigenous Mapuche people until the late 19th century. The area was then populated primarily by farmers, livestock breeders, and charcoal makers. In the 1950s and 1960s agricultural activity was increased, leading to the destruction of much of the local forest. In reaction to this, the Communist Party of Chile attempted to create a park in the area. This proposal was blocked by landowners who refused to sell their land. In 1984, the Corporación Nacional Forestal, (CONAF) designated El Morado Natural Monument as a reserve, aiming to protect the remaining forests and plant and animal species in the area. Since then, CONAF has worked to restore the local eco-systems and to educate visitors about the importance of preserving the environment. El Morado Natural Monument was declared a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation in 2017. This was done as part of the ‘Biosphere Reserve Alerce Costero’ program, which seeks to protect Chile’s Patagonian forests. Today, the area is home to various species of plants and animals, such as the endangered pudu – a deer species which is the smallest deer in the world. El Morado also offers a range of activities, such as hiking, camping, and bird watching, as well as unique geological and geomorphologic formations. El Morado Natural Monument is an important area for protecting the environment and educating people about the importance of nature conservation. You must visit one of these historical places in Chile on your Chile tour

Interesting facts:

1. El Morado Natural Monument is located in a high mountain valley situated between Santiago and Farellones, in the Central Andes range of Chile. 2. Spanning around 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres), this protected area is considered one of Chile’s most important areas of conservation. 3. It is named after its geological feature, a 5,140-meter tall (16,863ft) peak called “El Morado” (“The Purple”). 4. The Monument has several habitats ranging from forests and peat bogs at lower altitudes to glaciers and bare rock at upper altitudes. 5. Over 250 species of vascular plants, and 32 species of animals have been identified in the Monument, some of which are endemic. 6. The Monument is a natural habitat of the Andean condor, the national bird of Chile. 7. El Morado was declared a protected area in 1982, and is currently managed by the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), an agency of the Chilean government. Visit one of the famous monuments of Chile with your friends and family.