​​​​Lost Paradises - South America

VENEZUELA -

Canaima National Park

Located in the extreme southeastern part of Venezuela (associated with the Gran Sabana), the Canaima National Park covers 3,000,000 ha and is one of the largest in the world. The predominant formations consist of a combination of tepuis, grasslands, and valleys. Amongst these tepuis are: Auyan-Tepuy (2.400 m), from which Angel Falls the highest waterfall in the world, originates with a drop of 979 m; Roraima (2.800 m) and about 36 more tepuis. The vegetation on these tepuis varies from humid tropical forests at the bases and hillsides, to shrubs and grasslands on the summit, with a diverse amount of endemic species; in the savannahs and valleys the grasses and moriche palms prevail. Remains of a significant pre-Hispanic indigenous population have been found in the park; at the present time, the ethnic indigenous community of the Pemóns.