Maricao State Forest

Maricao State Forest is located on the island of Puerto Rico, spread through the towns of San Germán, Sabana Grande and Maricao. It is commonly known as only the Monte del Estado.

Maricao State Forest
Spanish: Bosque Estatal de Maricao
Water stream at El Monte del Estado
Geography
LocationMaricao, Puerto Rico
Coordinates18°07′22″N 66°58′29″W[1]
Elevation1,417 feet (432 m)[1]
Area10,803 acres (43.72 km2)[2]
Established1919[2]
Governing bodyPuerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

The forest is located on the western region of the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico, and encompasses 10,803 acres (43.72 km2) of land in a high rainfall area. Guanajibo River and the Río Grande de Añasco flow through the forest.

History

The Maricao State Forest was created after a proclamation on December 22, 1919.[2] The forest has hiking trails and is featured in Caribbean guides[3] as an important destination for bird-watching.[4]

Biology and ecology
"Casa de Piedra" ruins, Monte del Estado

Flora

There are 1,164 species of plants in the forest. Of the 128 species of endemic plants of Puerto Rico, 23 are in the Maricao State Forest. There are plantations of mahogany, eucalyptus, Honduras pine, and others.[2]

Fauna

There are 136 species of birds recorded in the park, 23 of which are endemic. Some examples are the Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus venator), which is an endangered species, and the Puerto Rican emerald (Chlorostilbon maugaeus).[2]

Climate

In summer the climate is warm and humid. Thunderstorms are common, along with temperature around 85 °F with heat index in the upper 90s during the daytime. In summer, nighttime is usually cool with low temperature in the mid- to lower 60s. In winter, it is very dry, the forest with mild temperature in daytime and cold in nighttime. Occasional days drop to 40 °F with mid-30s wind chill.

See also

References
  1. "Bosque Estatal de Maricao". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. "12 Jun El Bosque Estatal de Maricao". Departmento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  3. DK Travel (20 September 2016). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Caribbean. DK Publishing. pp. 214–. ISBN 978-1-4654-5979-4.
  4. Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. (2008). Fodor's Puerto Rico. Fodor's Travel Publications. pp. 247–. ISBN 978-1-4000-0731-8.
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