Northern Coastline

Northern Coastline

The Paria Peninsula is located on the northern coastline of Venezuela, in the state of Sucre. The peninsula that separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Paria is part of the Serranía del Litoral mountain range in Venezuela's northern Andean coastal mountain range, and its tip is visible from Trinidad. This is where you will find the Península de Paria National Park, which protects part of the peninsula. The park was created to protect the unique peninsular segment of the Venezuelan Coastal Range, with its flora and fauna typical of the Venezuelan Guiana. In terms of flora, the park's cloud forest is varied, has characteristics in common with Guyana and Trinidad Island, and has a high level of endemism with 29 exclusive species. The fauna is also varied and abundant, with 359 bird species reported, which is 27% of the total number of birds in the country. This high level of endemism is due to the separation of the mountains of the Paria Peninsula from those of the rest of the country, which has favored the appearance of endemic birds. This situation has led the park and the adjacent region of Caripe to be considered an important bird area. Of the birds that inhabit the park, the most striking are the hummingbirds of which there are 33 of the 97 species in the country. Among the mammals, there are several species that are shared with Guyana, such as the Two- and Three-Toed Sloth and the Dwarf Anteater. Felines include the jaguarundi, the ocelot and the jaguar. Cetaceans such as the Bufeo Negro, the Humpback Whale and the Sperm Whale are found along the coasts.