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Puerto Maldonado
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:400 meters (1,312 feet) a.s.l.
Distance: 650 km. from Cusco
Population: 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. |
