Anchorena

Parque Nacional Anchorena, established in 1915 on Martín García Island in Uruguay's Colonia Department, is the country's oldest protected area and one of the smallest national parks in South America. The park encompasses 1,584 hectares on this historic island in the Río de la Plata, near the confluence with the Paraná and Uruguay rivers. Despite its small size, the island supports diverse habitats including grasslands, coastal wetlands, riverine forests, and rocky shores. Named after the Anchorena family who owned portions of the island and contributed to conservation efforts, the park protects unique biodiversity at the intersection of multiple biogeographic regions. The island's strategic location has given it significant historical importance, serving as a military outpost, quarantine station, and political prison at various times in its history. Today, Anchorena combines conservation with historical preservation and limited tourism.