Colombia is one of the 10 countries in the world with the greatest biodiversity. It concentrates almost 70% of all the planet’s ecosystems in just 10% of its territory, thanks in part to its two oceans, the Andes and Amazonia.
The Iguaque Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Colombia’s 56 national parks. It is located in the Cordillera Oriental and covers 6750 hectares. It is an important reserve of flora and fauna, and its water currents are very important for supplying towns and villages throughout the region. Its ecosystem is made up of Paramos (high-altitude neotropical biotope), high-altitude Andean forests and oak woodlands. Its fauna includes opossums, bats, squirrels, armadillos, wild rabbits, foxes and deer.
Lake Iguaque, one of the nine lakes at the heart of the sanctuary, was considered sacred by the Muisca populations who lived in the region and disappeared with the beginning of the Spanish conquest. For the Muiscas, this lake was the origin of Mankind, as it gives rise to several rivers that supply the valley with water, thus enabling life.
