Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve

Eduardo Abaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Stipa ichu in the reserve.
Location	Bolivia Potosí Department, Sur Lípez Province
Coordinates	22°28′S 67°28′W / 22.467°S 67.467°W / -22.467; -67.467Coordinates: 22°28′S 67°28′W / 22.467°S 67.467°W / -22.467; -67.467
Area	714,745 hectares (1,766,170 acres)
Established	1973
Visitors	67,000 (in 2007)
Governing body	Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SERNAP)

The Eduardo Abaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve (Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Abaroa; Spanish acronym: REA) is located in Sur Lípez Province. Situated in the far southwestern region of Bolivia, it is the country's most visited protected area. It is considered the most important protected area in terms of tourist influx in the Potosí Department.

Located at an altitude between 4,200 m (13,800 ft) and 5,400 m (17,700 ft) in Bolivia, it extends over an area of 714,745 hectares (1,766,170 acres) and includes the Laguna Colorada National Wildlife Sanctuary. Categorized under IUCN Category IV, it is primarily for the protection of birds that inhabit the different lagoons in the reserve. The reserve protects part of the Central Andean dry puna (oligothermic) ecoregion. The reserve's major attractions are erupting volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, lakes, fumaroles, mountains and its three endemic species of flamingos in particular.

Established in 1973, the national park is named after Eduardo Abaroa (1838–1879), the Bolivian war hero of the 19th century. It was created by Supreme Decree (SD) of 13 December 1973 and extended on May 14, 1981. Since 2009, the entire reserve is part of the larger Los Lípez Ramsar site.

The reserve is situated in the southern region of Andean mountains in southwestern Bolivia. The mountains rise to heights varying from 3,500–5,000 m (11,500–16,400 ft). The basin features depict active volcanoes, hot springs, geysers and fumaroles, and a parallel has been drawn with the Yellowstone National Park in the US. Its water resources are limited to lakes and salt water lagoons due to very low rainfall of 76 mm (3.0 in) annually. Two communities, Quetena Chico and Quetena Grande, lie within the reserve.

Lakes include Laguna Verde, Laguna Colorada, Laguna Salada, Laguna Busch and Laguna Hedionda. Laguna Colorada lies at an altitude of 4,278 m (14,035 ft) and covers 60 km² (23 sq mi). It is named after the effect of wind and sun on the micro-organism that live in it. The lake is very shallow, less than 1 m (3 ft 3 in) deep, and supports some 40 bird species, providing pink algae to population of rare James's flamingoes who can walk across it.