Protected areas of Chile

The protected areas of Chile are areas that have natural beauty or significant historical value protected by the government of Chile. These protected areas cover over 140,000 km2 (54,054 sq mi), which is 19% of the territory of Chile. The National System of Protected Wild Areas (SNASPE by its Spanish acronym) is regulated by law #18,362 passed in 1984, and administered by the National Forest Corporation (CONAF).

Rano Kau, Parque National Rapa Nui, Easter Island
Torres del Paine National Park

There are three types of territories:

Protected areas by type

National parks

National reserves

National reserves of Chile
NamePhotoNatural regionAreaEstablished
Alto Bío BíoZona Central1912
Altos de Lircay Zona Central1996
Altos de Pemehue 2009
China Muerta 1968
Coyhaique1948
El Yali 1996
Federico Albert 1981
Futaleufú 1998
Isla Mocha Zona Sur23.69 km2 (9 sq mi)1988
Lago Peñuelas Zona Central92.6 km2 (36 sq mi)1952
Llanquihue Zona Sur161.1 km2 (62 sq mi)1912
Los Flamencos Norte Grande740.0 km2 (286 sq mi)1990
Malalcahuello-Nalcas Zona Sur12,789 ha (49 sq mi)1931
Mocho-Choshuenco Zona Sur7,537.6 km2 (2,910 sq mi)1994
Pampa del Tamarugal Norte Grande102,264 ha (395 sq mi)1987
Pingüino de Humboldt Norte Chico859.3 ha (3 sq mi)1990
Ralco Zona Central12,421 ha (48 sq mi)1987
Río de Los Cipreses Zona Central36,882 ha (142 sq mi)1985
Costera Valdiviana Zona Sur597 ha (2 sq mi)2005

Natural monuments

Natural monuments of Chile
NamePhotoNatural regionAreaEstablished
Cerro Ñielol Zona Sur0.89 km2 (0 sq mi)1988
Cueva del Milodón Zona Austral1993
El Morado Zona Central30.09 km2 (12 sq mi)
La Portada Norte Grande0.3127 km2 (0 sq mi)1990
Los Pingüinos Zona Austral0.97 km2 (0 sq mi)1966

Nature sanctuaries

(partial list)

Marine protected areas

Marine and coastal protected areas

  • Coral Nui Nui Marine and Coastal Protected Area
  • Francisco Coloane Marine and Coastal Protected Area
  • Hanga Oteo Marine and Coastal Protected Area
  • Las Cruces Marine and Coastal Protected Area
  • Mar de Juan Fernández Marine and Coastal Protected Area
  • Pitipalena-Añihue Marine and Coastal Protected Area
  • Rapa Nui Marine and Coastal Protected Area
  • Seno Almirantazgo Marine and Coastal Protected Area
  • Tortel Marine and Coastal Protected Area

Marine parks

  • El Arenal Marine Park
  • El Palillo Marine Park
  • Islas Diego Ramírez y Paso Drake
  • Lobería Selkirk Marine Park
  • Mar de Juan Fernández Marine Park
  • Montes submarinos Crusoe y Selkirk Marine Park
  • Motu Motiro Hiva Marine Park
  • Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park
  • TicToc-Golfo Corcovado Marine Park
  • Tierra Blanca Marine Park

Marine reserves

  • Bahía Moreno - La Rinconada
  • Isla Chañaral Marine Reserve
  • Islas Choros - Damas
  • Pullinque Marine Reserve
  • Putemún Marine Reserve

Protected areas by region

See also

  • (in Spanish) Official website of CONAF, (Chilean National Forest Corporation), a government agency that is part of the Agriculture Ministry