Valdes Peninsula

Península Valdés*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party	Argentina
Type	Natural
Criteria	x
Reference	937
Region†	Latin America and the Caribbean
Inscription History
Inscription	1999  (23rd Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

The Valdes Peninsula (Spanish Península Valdés) is a peninsula along the Atlantic coast in the Biedma Department in the north east of Chubut Province, Argentina. Its size is about 3,625 km². The nearest large town is Puerto Madryn.

Peninsula Valdés, photo taken during shuttle mission STS-68

Most of the peninsula is barren land with some salt lakes. The largest of these lakes is at an elevation of about 40 m below sea level, until recently thought to be the lowest elevation in Argentina and South America. (The lowest point being Laguna del Carbón, Argentina).

It is an important nature reserve which was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The coastline is inhabited by marine mammals, like sea lions, elephant seals and fur seals. Southern right whales can be found in Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José, protected bodies of water located between the peninsula and the Patagonian mainland. These baleen whales come here between May and December, for mating and giving birth, because the water in the gulf is quieter and warmer than in the open sea. Orcas can be found off the coast, in the open sea off the peninsula. In this area, they are known to beach themselves on shore to capture sea lions and elephant seals.

Whale watching

The inner part of the peninsula is inhabited by rheas, guanacos and maras. A high diversity and range of birds live in the peninsula as well; at least 181 bird species, 66 of which migratory, live in the area, including the Antarctic Pigeon.

External links

• Peninsula Valdez trip report
• Puerto Pirámides' Official Page Whale watching in Península Valdés

World Heritage Sites in Argentina
Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas · Iguazú National Park · Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks · Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba · Guaraní Jesuit Missions of San Ignacio Miní, Nuestra Señora de Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa María la Mayor (with Brazil) · Los Glaciares · Península Valdés · Quebrada de Humahuaca

Coordinates: 42°30′S, 63°56′W

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