Tropical stream in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
The first 2012 issue of America’s National Park quarter series features El Yunque National Forest, located on the U.S. Territorial island of Puerto Rico. Established as a national site in 1903, El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest system.
Containing Puerto Rico’s rugged Luquillo Mountains, the 26,000-acre site offers a year-round tropical climate and tremendous biodiversity. More than one million tourists from around the world visit El Yunque each year to experience and enjoy its lush tropical ecosystems and many beautiful trails.
El Yunque is home to thousands of native plants including 150 fern species and 240 tree species (33 of which are found only in this forest), as well as many small animals that exist nowhere else on Earth. The critically endangered Puerto Rican parrot is making a comeback in El Yunque through carefully monitored breeding and conservation efforts.
More information on El Yunque National Forest.
