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Castillos de Pincheira is located in the Eastern slopes
of the Cordillera Principal or of the limit, in the
department of Malargüe, 28 kilometres from the head city
of the Department, comprising a total of 650 hectares.
Being part of an atmosphere of dry weather, the rock
formation called "Castillos" is composed of a group of
sedimentary-volcanic slopes in the Algodón Hill, 2163 metres high, on the right and South banks of the Malargüe River.
The objectives for the creation of this reservation consist of, on the one hand the landscape importance, and on the other on the conservation of the middle basin of the Malargüe River that provides drinking water to the homonymous city.
Landscape and Geology
It consists of a sedimentary volcanic group. Its origin
is due to explosive eruptions of neighbouring volcanoes,
possibly by the end of the Tertiary Era. Today its clear
stratification and exhausting and formative action of
water and wind have generated a major tourist attraction
for its landscape beauty. These agents act on
sedimentary rocks, especially sandstones. At the bottom
of the formation, there is a wide variety of eroded
cones, the result of the sliding of material.
This natural monument is inserted in an arid climate
with little rainfall occurring in the form of downpours
in the summer. One characteristic climate element is the
Zonda Wind. The water and wind create strange shapes,
similar to a great castle with its towers. Its height is
approximately 60 metres; the area is characterized by
the presence of walls, worn out low height rock
formations.
In this area, there are archaeological evidences. The difficult access to these natural formations was used by the
Pehuenches, who would prepare them for defensive
purposes.
Biological aspects
Biogeographically, the reservation is located in the Patagonia Biome. The vegetation is sparse and consists of shrubs as “molles” and “chirriaderas”, and xerophytes grasses as “tupe” and “coirones”. On the riverbank there are meadows or “mallines”, whose permanent provision of water in the soil promotes an incredible richness and plant diversity.
In the past, there used to inhabit the area guanacos and rheas. Because of the human pressure, those species disappeared from the area.
With its recent creation, a natural re-colonization by these species is expected. In addition, there are mountain “vizcachas”, mountain lions, red foxes and towards the higher areas, condors and eagles. The river is inhabited by indigenous catfish. In the basin, the “otuno”, or velvety catfish, stands out and is recognized as a species threatened with extinction worldwide.
The torrent duck, also identified as vulnerable to extinction, is abundant, indicating an excellent state of the environment for the quality water and present care for the wildlife.
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