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Complete list of 11 national parks in Ecuador

Cajas

Cayambe Coca

Cotopaxi

Galapagos

Llanganates

Machalilla

Podocarpus

Sangay

Sumaco Napo-Galeras

Yacuri

Yasuni

Ecuador National Parks

Cajas National Park is characterized by its high-altitude páramo ecosystem and over 200 glacial lakes. The park's landscape features rocky peaks, valleys, and grasslands at elevations between 3,100 and 4,450 meters. It serves as a vital water source for Cuenca and hosts unique wildlife including Andean condors and spectacled bears.

Cayambe Coca National Park features diverse ecosystems ranging from high-altitude páramo to tropical rainforest. The park is home to the Cayambe volcano and numerous lakes and waterfalls. It protects important water sources and unique wildlife including spectacled bears and Andean condors.

Cotopaxi National Park is dominated by the iconic Cotopaxi volcano, one of the world's highest active volcanoes. The park features páramo landscapes, wild horses, and diverse wildlife including Andean foxes and condors. Its volcanic landscape includes lava flows, ash deposits, and glacial features.

The Galapagos National Park encompasses most of the Galapagos Islands archipelago, famous for its unique wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The park features volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches, and endemic species including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and Darwin's finches. It represents one of the world's most important natural laboratories for studying evolution.

Llanganates National Park is known for its rugged mountain terrain and mysterious history linked to Incan treasure. The park contains diverse ecosystems from páramo to cloud forest, with numerous lakes and wetlands. It serves as an important water source and hosts unique wildlife including mountain tapirs and spectacled bears.

Machalilla National Park includes both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, protecting tropical dry forest and important marine habitats. The park features pristine beaches, archaeological sites, and the famous Isla de la Plata known for its wildlife similar to the Galapagos. It serves as a crucial breeding ground for humpback whales during certain seasons.

Podocarpus National Park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and endemic species, particularly birds and plants. The park encompasses various ecosystems from high-altitude páramo to tropical mountain forest. It contains the namesake Podocarpus tree and serves as an important center for scientific research.

Sangay National Park features three active volcanoes including the namesake Sangay volcano. The park spans multiple ecosystems from glaciers to tropical rainforest, with exceptional biodiversity. It protects numerous endangered species and contains important archaeological sites from pre-Columbian cultures.

Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park is centered around the isolated Sumaco volcano and features pristine rainforest ecosystems. The park is known for its exceptional bird diversity and unique plant species. It serves as an important watershed and contains numerous endemic species of flora and fauna.

Yacuri National Park is a protected area in southern Ecuador that spans two provinces. The park features high-altitude páramo ecosystems, cloud forests, and numerous lakes and lagoons. It serves as an important water source for surrounding communities and provides habitat for endangered species like the spectacled bear and mountain tapir.

Yasuni National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, containing Amazon rainforest ecosystem. The park is home to numerous indigenous communities and countless species of plants and animals. It represents a unique intersection of peak diversity for multiple species groups including amphibians, birds, mammals, and plants.