GENERAL INFORMATION

• Area: 361.452 acres (146.280 ha)
• Date of Creation: December 15, 1982
• Altitude: 2.952 - 11.811 ft (900 - 3.600 m)

The southernmost park of Ecuador, very close to the city of Loja, Podocarpus was named after a tree species that dominates the area. The park has abundant rivers and lakes, so it has become the most popular center for fishing as a sport in the country. Podocarpus attracts many birdwatchers, since it is home to 40% of the bird species in Ecuador. Only the area around Cajanuma, the visitor center, with 210 species, supports the highest number of bird species in this area of cloudforest in the world. In Podocarpus there is also a huge population of orchids, plants with many colored and appreciated flowers. However, the park is threatened by informal mining in the area.