|
This is the least populated territory
in Peru, with only 600,000 people living in its 80,000
kM2 (30,880 sq miles) of jungle area. Its capital Is a
riverside city known as Puerto Maldonado with 25, 000
Inhabitants.
Gold panning on the Tampobamba and Madre de Dios rivers,
and the latex boom at the end of the past century,
determined the foundation of the city of Puerto
Maldonado., Today, Madre de Dios, the old Inca Antisuyo,
is still what It has been -for centuries- for all
adventure lovers: a virgin and frontier land full of
mysteries.
Due to the fact that Its virgin forest covers 98% of the
territory, Madre de Dios has the most varied bio-diversity
of the world.
Altitude:
Distance:
Population:
400 meters (1,312 feet) a.s.l.
650 km. from Cusco
25,000 inhabitants
Puerto Maldonado is one of the most important cities of
the Southern jungle. It sits on the banks of the Madre
de Dios river, which connects it with Rivera Alto in
Bolivia (a 5-hour trip to the border, by river) and with
Assis, in Brazil (242 km/150 miles),
The department's capital is a dynamic, young and
bustling frontier city. The main economic activities are
forestry and gold panning, although farming and the
ecological tourism are being developed.
RESERVES
The Manu, Tambopata-Candamo and Pampas de Heath reserves
cover 3'500,000 jungle hectares (8'645,000 acres), the
largest and richest blo-diversity of the world. They
keep unique flora and fauna species, impossible to find
elsewhere, including 2,500 flower varieties, more than
1,000 birds (10% of the world's species,) 900 butterfly
species and more than 20 kinds of monkeys.
Near Puerto Maldonado, there are several attractions
such as the Sandoval and Valencia lakes, next to the
Bolivian border (by river, 4 hours from the city), These
wonderful places give the tourist the opportunity to
fish, be close to nature, and be in contact with native
communities.
JUNGLE LODGES
There are several lodges which offer very Interesting
eco-touristic services. These lodges, although rustic,
are suited to provide the vlsitors' requirements. There
is also a private Investigation center In the area.
CLIMATE
The weather is cold and dry In the highlands, warm In
the valleys, cold and humid In the cloudy forest and,
warm and humid In the lower jungle. The rainy or
'winter" season runs from December to March, and the
summer or dry season (ideal for tourism), from April to
November.
|
