Protected Landscapes in Uruguay: Regional Conservation Areas and Scenic Geographical Territories

Laguna de Rocha

Explore the unique barrier lagoon system and diverse coastal habitats of Rocha Department.

Laguna de Rocha functions as a vital coastal lagoon and wetland complex in southeastern Uruguay. Characterized by its shallow water and temporary sandbar breaches, the area supports a distinct mosaic of habitats, including dunes, reedbeds, and mudflats. Its status as a biosphere reserve and Important Bird Area underscores the ecological importance of this regional geography in providing a sanctuary for migratory waterbirds along the Atlantic coast.

Paisaje protegido Quebrada de los Cuervos y Sierras del Yerbal

Geographic analysis of gorge formations and eastern hill ecosystems.

Spanning ancient metamorphic terrain in Treinta y Tres Department, this protected landscape is defined by the steep-walled Quebrada de los Cuervos. The site offers an opportunity to study the intersection of stream-carved gorges, subtropical gallery forests, and high-elevation grasslands in a formal conservation setting.

Valle del Lunarejo

A rugged river valley protected area in the Uruguayan north.

Valle del Lunarejo represents a unique geological contact zone in Rivera, Uruguay, characterized by dramatic basaltic cliffs, dense gallery forests, and a network of stream-fed waterfalls. This protected landscape offers a detailed look at the interplay between Mesozoic volcanic flows and sandstone deposits, shaping a distinct terrain that diverges from the surrounding plains. The area provides essential context for understanding northern Uruguayan topography and the distribution of diverse habitats within the National System of Protected Areas.

Localidad Rupestre de Chamangá

Explorations into the prehistoric rock art of rural Uruguay.

Located in central Uruguay, Localidad Rupestre de Chamangá protects a sprawling 12,000-hectare rural landscape notable for its dense cluster of rare open-air pictographs. The site offers profound insights into how prehistoric art interacts with granite topography and pastoral terrain, bridging cultural heritage and natural landscape conservation in the department of Flores.

Humedales de Santa Lucía

A dynamic tidal freshwater system located near the Montevideo riverfront

Humedales de Santa Lucía is a significant protected landscape spanning the departments of San José, Canelones, and Montevideo. This managed wetland ecosystem is defined by the interaction between freshwater river discharge and the brackish tidal influence of the Río de la Plata estuary, creating a unique riparian mosaic of channels, islands, and marshlands important to local waterbird populations.

Paisaje protegido Laguna de Castillos

Coastal lagoon and native woodland terrain in Rocha, Uruguay

Investigate the geographic profile of Paisaje protegido Laguna de Castillos, an essential protected area in Rocha. This terrain features the largest continuous ombú forest in the country alongside shallow coastal lagoon waters and complex wetland habitats that support a high diversity of native waterfowl.

Paisaje protegido Paso Centurión y Sierra de Ríos

Northeastern Uruguay borderland protected area

Discover the rugged topography of Paisaje protegido Paso Centurión y Sierra de Ríos, characterized by a mix of sierras, ravines, and plateaus. This area serves as a rare southern refuge for species linked to the Atlantic Forest, highlighting the distinct borderland ecology that defines this protected landscape in Cerro Largo.