Arikok National Park
| Arikok National Park | |
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Arikok National Park
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| Nearest city | Noord, Santa Cruz and Oranjestad, capital of Aruba in the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| Coordinates | 12°29′56″N 69°55′36″W / 12.49880°N 69.92654°WCoordinates: 12°29′56″N 69°55′36″W / 12.49880°N 69.92654°W |
| Area | 34 km2 (13 sq mi) |
| Established | 2000 |
| Visitors | 10,000 |
| Governing body | www |
The Arikok National Park takes up approximately 18 percent of the island of Aruba and includes three primary geological formations: the Aruba lava formation, a quartz diorite formation, and a limestone formation that extends inward from the coast. These formations have directly influenced Aruba's human settlement, as well as its natural wonders.
Aruba is home to several species which only live on the island, including two unique species of snake and two bird species. Rock outcroppings also create micro-climatic conditions to support these unique plant and animal species, as well as settlements. These are located within the Arikok National Park almost exclusively. Inside the park are some of the island's oldest Arawak paintings, and has since drawn attention from the government.
Indigenous reptiles include the cascabel (Crotalus durissus unicolor), the santanero or (Aruban) Baker's cat-eyed snake (Leptodeira bakeri), and the kododo blauw or Aruban whiptail lizard (Cnemidophorus arubensis). Birds include the shoco or Aruban burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia arubensis) and the prikichi or Aruban parakeet (Aratinga pertinax arubensis).
First designated as an important national area in the 1980s, Arikok National Park is home to popular hiking trails, covering all kinds of terrain from hills to gold mines, and even plantation ruins.
In the national park some traditional Aruban houses in the cas di torto style can be visited.
Arikok National Park showcases diverse geologic features. Included in the park lands is the Aruba Lava Formation, mostly made up of Pillow Lava intruded by quartz diorite. Additionally, much of the park land is made up of uplifted reef carbonates. This abundance of limestone has been worn away by acidic groundwater to form several caves ranging from a few to hundreds of feet in length, a few of which can be easily accessed within the park. Notable caves in the park include Fontein Cave and Quadirikiri Cave.Volcanic Tuff is also found in abundance in the national park as a result of the island's volcanic history.
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Wikipedia