Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba

Abstract

Alejandro de Humboldt National Park is in northeastern Cuba, in the provinces of Guantanamo and Holguin. The site includes a complex system of mountains, coastal plains, bays, and coral reefs. The coastal plains represent the highest and elongated system of watersheds in the Caribbean region. Complex geology and varied topography create a high diversity of ecosystems: it represents one of the most biologically diverse tropical sites on Earth and is the largest and best-conserved remnant of forested mountain ecosystem in the Caribbean area. It is also a representative example of the combination of neo tectonic evolution under conditions of sea shelf formation on ancient structures resulting from island arcs. Historically, it is lightly affected by humans.