Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic

The Cordillera Central is the highest mountain range in the Dominican Republic and in all of the Caribbean region, running through the heart of the island of Hispaniola.[1]

Geography

Connected to the Massif du Nord in Haiti, it gradually bends southwards and finishes near the town of San Cristóbal on the Caribbean coastal plains. Because of its altitude, cool temperature, and scenic vistas, the Cordillera Central is also known as the "Dominican Alps". The Cordillera Central is home to the highest peaks in the West Indies: Pico Duarte (3,098 m) (the highest point in the Caribbean),[2] La Pelona (3,094 m) and La Rucilla (3,049 m).

Parks

José Armando Bermúdez National Park (Parque Nacional Armando Bermúdez) is located in the range, protecting a diversity of flora and fauna species. The Pale Magnolia tree (Magnolia pallescens), an endangered species endemic to Hispaniola, grows in the range and park.

Other ranges

In the southwest corner of the country, south of the Cordillera Central, there are two, largely dry and rocky ranges. The more northerly of the two is the Sierra de Neiba, while in the south the Sierra de Bahoruco is a continuation of the Massif de la Selle in Haiti.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Bencosme, Fe Liza (13 November 2004). Adventure Guide to the Dominican Republic. Hunter Publishing, Inc. p. 17. ISBN 978-1-58843-402-9.
  2. ↑ Latta, Steven; Rimmer, Christopher; Keith, Allan; James Wiley; Herbert A. Raffaele; Kent McFarland; Eladio Fernandez (23 April 2010). Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Princeton University Press. p. 15. ISBN 1-4008-3410-4.
  3. ↑ Bulletin. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1948. p. 89.

Coordinates: 18°45′N 70°30′W / 18.750°N 70.500°W / 18.750; -70.500

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