Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

The Cloud Forest Reserve Monteverde was created by the initiative of an American community, which settled there in the 1950s. On its 35,089 acres (14,200 hectares) of land, it stretches from 2,165 feet (660 meters) above sea level to its highest point, the mountain without name, at 6,099 feet (1,859 meters). The precipitous climate favors the development of the cloud forest, which is usually completely covered by clouds, and is thickly covered with mosses, lichens, bromeliads, and epiphytes. In addition, more than 200 ferns and 350 orchid species are found between the 2,500 plant species. The fauna in Monteverde is also varied. There are 153 species of reptiles and amphibians, 100 species of mammals and more than 400 species of birds, which is almost half the species of birds found in Costa Rica.