Introduction
Located in North East Puerto Rico, on the slopes of the Sierra de Luquillo mountains, is the El Yunque National Forest (El Yunque); a 28,000-acre tropical rainforest. The lush plant life, incredible animals, and amazing scenery draws thousands of tourist every year to experience this beautiful forest. On this page is a list of facts about this Puerto Rican tropical rainforest written for both kids and adults. This information includes what animals are found there, how much rainfall it receives, and where it is located.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about the Puerto Rico Rainforest.
Puerto Rico Rainforest General Facts
- This rainforest is commonly called El Yunque.
- This rainforest on Puerto Rico encompasses 43.75 square miles (113.32 square kilometers).
- The rainforest on Puerto Rico is located 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of the capital city of San Juan.
- Over 240 species of plants can be found in this rainforest.
- This forest has been designated a wildlife refuge; no hunting is permitted.
- The El Yunque National Forest was formerly named the Luquillo National Forest and then the Caribbean National Forest.
- The El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System.
- This forest is the largest block of designated public land on Puerto Rico.
- El Toro, at 3,494 feet (1,065 meters) above sea level, is the tallest mountain in this rainforest.
- There are several trails throughout the forest by which people can explore the natural wonders of the forest.
- In 2007 U.S. President George W. Bush issued an executive order changing the name of this park from the Caribbean National Forest to El Yunque National Forest; the park was originally named the Luquillo Forest Reserve in 1903.
Puerto Rico Rainforest Climate Facts
- The temperature in this rainforest remains fairly constant year round with an average temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 - 26.7 Celsius).
- It rains year round in this tropical rainforest with no separate wet or dry season. Over 100 billion gallons of rain falls on this tropical rainforest annually.
- Some areas of this rainforest get more than 200 inches (508 centimeters) of rainfall annually.
Puerto Rico Rainforest Animal Facts
- The critically endangered Amazona vittata lives in this rainforest. This medium-sized green parrot is one of the most endangered bird species on earth.
- Probably the most famous and considered the most recognizable animal of Puerto Rico is the common coqui; a small frog that is abundant in the rainforest.
- There are numerous Hummingbirds found in Puerto Rico's rainforest.
- Like most tropical rainforest insects are plentiful in Puerto Rico's rainforest. These insects include large centipedes and tarantulas.