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Ubication:
Nueva Esparta State
Location
In
the northern central sector which links the eastern part
of the island of Margarita with the Macanao peninsula.
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How to get there
By
air or sea to the island of Margarita, then by road to
Macanao.
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Characteristics
It
is formed by a narrow stretch of sandy coast and coastal
lagoons where mangroves are abundant. The lands that
surround La Restinga are from the Quaternary period.
Near the main lagoon there are low hills, the most
important of which are the Tetas de María Guevara, 100
m. high, and El Cerro de Agua Verde. The lagoons cover
approximately 100 km. of brackish water, crossed by many
channels. The beaches of the isthmus of La Restinga,
with oceanic waves, are not sand but pulverized fossil
sea shells. In 1997 it was decreed Ramsar site of
Venezuela.
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Vegetation
The
most important plant formation is the mangrove, of the
red, black and white genera and the button-mangrove. In
the coastal plains, there are species like thistles,
stinking weed, cacti, palo verde, agave, dividivi,
oregano, aloe, oak, etc. There is also a desert
undergrowth which grows in the driest part of the
country. Something similar is only found in Castilletes,
in the Guajira peninsula.
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Fauna
The
avian fauna is a primary resource, formed by sedentary
and migratory species, among which the most important is
the Scarlet Ibis. The most common birds are the
Red-legged Tinamou, the Least Grebe, the Magnificent
Frigatebird, the Blue Heron, the Great Egret, the
Ground-Dove, the Brown Pelican, the cormorant, the Green
Heron, the tern, the flamingo, etc. Mammals are scarce,
and there are certain reptiles and amphibians like the
gray frog, the green turtle, the "carey"
turtle, the lizard, rattlesnakes, etc. There are many
species of fish, like the red snapper, sardine,
swordfish, dogfish; and a variety of mollusks like
oysters and other shells.
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Recomendations
The
same as for any national park. Take light-weight
clothing, appropriate for the area and climate,
sunglasses, sunblock lotion, hat or cap, camera, etc.
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Facilities
There
are several places to visit in La Restinga lagoon, like
the dock El Indio. Here there is a well-organized boat
service which makes trips through the canals or to the
beach. The beach of El Botadero is large and very windy,
and there are food services nearby, where they serve
typical fare and fried fish. It is easy to catch cockles
on the beach by just putting your feet in the sand and
digging.
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Climate
Temperatures
range between 24° C. and 30° C.
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Surface
10.700
ha.
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Information
INPARQUES
Tlf. (095) 41.75.43*63.12.10 * (02) 285.50.56
*43.60*48.59. Fax 285.30.70.
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