Taulliraju – Huascarán National Park

Huascarán National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Huascarán) is a national park in the Cordillera Blanca, a range of the Andes, in Ancash of central Peru.

It was also pronounced as Natural Heritage of Humanity and recognized as Reserve of Biosphere Core.

The highest mountain in Peru is located in the park (also named Huascarán, reaching 6,768 meters high).

This park is the habitat of the Puya raimondi, the Cougar, the Jaguar, the Llama, the Guanaco, the Marsh Deer, the Peruvian Tapir, the Peruvian Piedtail, a hummingbird species, and many kinds of ducks including the Southern Pochard.

Protected Status

Its protection was initially arranged by the Peruvian government in 1975 in order to safeguard flora and fauna, geological formations, archaeological remains (including relics of the Chavin culture) and the panoramic scenery of the Cordillera Blanca — as well as to encourage scientific research into the area’s natural and cultural resources.

Tourism is promoted in the area, making its protected status a source of wealth for its inhabitants and others. In 1985 the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Physical Environment

View of the Cordillera Blanca

Huascarán National Park is home to mountains ranging from 2000 to over 6000 m in height.

Huascarán, the mountain from which the park takes its name, is the highest in Peru at 6768 m, and rises above nearby peaks such as Alpamayo and Pisco.

The park’s 3,000 km² contain 663 glaciers, 296 lakes and 41 tributaries of three important rivers: the Santa, Pativilca and Marañón.

Climate

The climate of the park is characterized by two stages during the year.

This depends on two major factors:

1. the warm, humid winds from the Amazon Basin, which generate abundant rain between December and March
2. a pronounced dry period between May and October — with sunny days that reach 25 °C and nights of intense cold, during which temperatures can drop below 0 °C and well below that at higher altitudes

Flora and Fauna

The environment in the park ranges from the Sechura Desert in the west to the Peruvian Yungas in the east, with Central Andean wet puna in the higher elevations.

It is home to considerable biodiversity — with over 779 species of high Andean plants and 112 species of birds having been identified — including the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), the Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata), and the Puna Tinamou (Tinamotis pentlandii).

Among mammals, more than ten species have been observed — several of them endangered — such as the Colocolo (Oncifelis colocolo), the Andean Cat (Oreailurus jacobita), the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), Peruvian Guemal (Hippocamelus antisensis) and the Vicuña (Vicugna vicugna).

Puya Raimondi

The Puya raimondi, a gigantic inflorescence, unique to Peru and Bolivia

In the area of Catac, there are the famous Puyas Raimondi. These plants are mainly located in the spacious forests from three places of Ancash: the gully of Ingenio in Catac, the punas of Cajamarquilla and the gully of Queshque, also in Catac.

The Puyas Raimondi was named in this way in homage to the Italian wise person who discovered it. This plant is a gigantic inflorescence that is unique all over the world.

It reaches up to 10 m height, with more than three thousand flowers and six million seeds in each plant. Its biological cycle is approximately 40 years.

Activities

It is possible to walk among mountains of over 6000 m in height without being an experienced mountaineer, although there are peaks which attract the most dedicated climbers.

Ecotourism, horse riding, skiing and guided archaeological excursions are all popular as well.

Four variants are used:

1. the coat of arms per se (Escudo de Armas)
2. the national coat of arms, or national shield (Escudo Nacional)
3. the great seal of the state (Gran Sello del Estado)
4. the naval coat of arms (Escudo de la Marina de Guerra)

Description

All four share the same escutcheon or shield, consisting of three elements: the top left section shows the vicuña, the national animal, on a light-blue field, representing the fauna of Peru; the tree in the top right section is the cinchona tree (the source of quinine, a powerful anti-malarial drug and the key flavorant in tonic water), on a white background, representing the national flora; and the bottom cornucopia with coins spilling from it, on a red field, represents the mineral resources of the country.
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Variants

The Coat of Arms

Coat of arms of Peru, used in the middle of the national ensign

The coat of arms (Escudo de Armas) has a palm branch on its left and an laurel one on its right, tied by a red and white ribbon, as well as a Holm oak Civic Crown above it. These represent victory and glory.

This variant is used on the national ensign (Pabellón Nacional) or state flag. Its use on its own is infrequent, except on currency, both on coins and bills, and stamps.

The National Coat of Arms

National coat of arms of Peru

The national coat of arms, or national shield (Escudo Nacional), consists of the shield plus a Peruvian flag and a standard on each side, and a Civic Crown as crest.

It is used on the war flag (Bandera de Guerra). Its use on its own is mandated for all public buildings, with the name of the entity under it.

The Great Seal of the State

Great Seal of the State (Gran Sello del Estado)

The Great Seal of the State (Gran Sello del Estado), consisting of the National Shield and the semicircular inscription “REPÚBLICA DEL PERÚ” (“Republic of Peru”) above it.

It is used on official documents.

The Naval Coat of Arms

Naval Coat of Arms (Escudo de la Marina de Guerra)

The Naval Coat of Arms (Escudo de la Marina de Guerra), consists of the National Shield and the semicircular inscription “Marina de Guerra del Peru”, along with anchors instead of the traditional flags it is embedded upon, as well as having an image of the sun as the crest.

It is used for various naval purposes.

History

First Version

First version

The first version of the Coat of Arms of Peru was designed by General José de San Martín and officially declared on 21 October 1820.

It consisted of a landscape of the sun rising from the Andes, seen from the sea, and escorted by laurel branches tied with a golden ribbon. In the shield, on a blue sky background, the sun’s yellow rays can be seen behind the dark brown mountains rising above the blue and green ocean.

The flags of the South American nations and a banana tree can be seen behind the shield. A condor on the left and a llama on the right act as supporters. All this was on top of a baroque base, with a scroll under it with the motto “Renació el sol del Perú” (“Peru’s sun is reborn”) in capital letters. Some flowers, branches and ammunition were on the base.

Second Version

Second version

On 25 February 1825, Simón Bolívar and the Constituent Congress proclaimed a law defining the new national symbols. establishing the new Coat of Arms, similar to the one used today. This was designed by Congressmen José Gregorio Paredes and Francisco Javier Cortés. The official description was the following:

“Las armas de la Nación Peruana constarán de un escudo dividido en tres campos (forma polaca), uno azul celeste, a la derecha, que llevará una vicuña mirando al interior; otro blanco, a la izquierda, donde se colocará el árbol de la quina; y otro rojo inferior y más pequeño en que se verá una cornucopia derramando monedas, significándose con estos símbolos, las preciosidades del Perú en los tres reinos naturales. El escudo tendrá por timbre una corona cívica vista de plano; e irá acompañada en cada lado de una bandera y un estandarte de los colores nacionales, señalado más adelante.”

“The arms of the Peruvian Nation shall consist of a shield divided into three fields (Polish shape), one light-blue, to the left, which will carry a vicuña looking inwards; another white, on the right , where a cinchona tree will be located; and another red below and smaller in which a cornucopia will be seen spilling coins, signifying with these symbols, the richnesses of Peru in the three natural kingdoms. The shield shall have as crest a Civic Crown seen flat; and shall be escorted on each side by a flag and standard of the same national colors, described later.”

1950 Modification

This is the coat of arms used today and is a modification of the second version. Until 1950, the coat of arms was a symbol of both the nation and the state, and presented some difficulties in its design.

Months after its creation, the seals of ministries modified the law, cutting the width of the shield to design the cornucopia comfortably and getting rid of the escorting flags.

The last modification was in March 1950, during General Manuel A. Odría’s administration. In this way, the coat of arms was split in halves and the lower section became the largest, rather than the smallest. The national coat of arms was created simultaneously as a heraldic symbol of the State.

El Pendón Bicolor (The Bicolor Banner), La Enseña Nacional (The National Ensign)

The flag of Peru was adopted by the government of Peru in 1825.

It is a vertical triband with red outer bands and a single white middle band.

Depending on its use, it may be defaced with different emblems, and has different names.

Flag day in Peru is celebrated on June 7, the anniversary of the Battle of Arica.

Design and Symbolism

Coat of Arms

The Peruvian coat of arms includes the vicuña (a relative of the llama and alpaca), the quina (cinchona) tree, and a cornucopia of gold.

Meaning of the Colors

The color red signifies the blood shed fallen while achieving Peruvian independence. Legend has it that flamingos flying across a white clouded sky from which the inspiration for the colors came.

The story goes that inspiration for the flag came when Jose San Martin landed in the southern coastal town of Paracas in 1820 to launch the invasion of Peru and he saw a flock of flamingos take flight. Others say that the white represents peace and the red is the blood from the fighters of their freedom.

Variants

National Flag (Civil Flag)

The national or civil flag (Spanish: bandera nacional) is used by citizens. It has no additions to the common form.

It was changed several times; before 1950 it looked like the current national flag and was used as both the civil and state flag, when General Manuel A. Odría removed the coat of arms from the national flag and created the state and war flags.

National Ensign (State Flag)

National ensign of Peru (Pabellón nacional)

The national ensign or state flag (pabellón nacional), used by state institutions, is marked with the coat of arms of Peru (escudo de armas). It is used during ceremonies in which the flag is hoisted in the presence of spectators (as opposed to a static, permanent flag).

A form of this flag, the national standard (estandarte nacional) is used indoors by official and private institutions.

War Flag

War flag of Peru (Bandera de guerra)

The war flag (Bandera de Guerra), similar to the state flag, is marked with the national shield (Escudo Nacional).

It is flown by the Peruvian military and national police, and is typically inscribed with the service, name and number of the unit flying it.

Naval Jack

Naval jack of Peru (Bandera de proa)

The naval jack (bandera de proa) is not based on the triband; it is a square flag, consisting of a white square with the coat of arms (Escudo de Armas) on a red field.

It is used on battleships, usually with the ensign of the highest-rank officer on board above it.

History

Proposed Flag of 1820

Flag hoisted by Admiral Miller in October 1820

During the Viceroyalty of Peru, the colonial-era Spanish flag flew over Peru.

In 1820, during the struggle for independence, British-born General William Miller hoisted in Tacna the first flag that represented the emerging country.

Though the original flag itself is now lost, it was described as navy blue, defaced with a golden sun (possibly representing Inti).

Flag of 1820

First republican flag, created by General José de San Martín

The first flag of the Republic of Peru was created by General José de San Martín, and officially decreed on 21 October 1820. It is diagonally quartered, with white upper and lower fields, and the others red.

The flag was defaced with an oval-shaped laurel crown in the center, surrounding a sun rising behind mountains by the sea.

The symbolism of the flag’s colors is uncertain, but according to Peruvian author Abraham Valdelomar, San Martín, having arrived on the coast of southern Pisco, was inspired by the colors of parihuanas, red-and-white flamingos.

Historians of the early Peruvian Republic, such as Leguía y Martínez and Pareja Paz Soldán, give a different explanation, suggesting that San Martín took the red from the flag of Chile and the white from the flag of Argentina, recognizing the provenance of the men of the liberation army.

The flag proved difficult to adopt due to its complex construction; without standardized measurements in place at the time, a triangular flag proved difficult to build.

Flag of March 1822

Second design, by Torre Tagle

In March 1822, José Bernardo de Tagle, Marquis of Torre Tagle and Supreme Delegate of the Republic, who replaced San Martín provisionally when the latter traveled to Guayaquil, decreed a new design for the flag.

The new design consisted of a horizontal triband with a white band between two red ones and a golden sun at the center, similar to the flag of Argentina. This modification was justified, according to Torre Tagle, by the inconvenience in the construction of the previous version, among other issues.

A problem came up on the battlefields: the resemblance with the Spanish flag, especially from far away, made the distinction between the armies difficult, which led to a new change to the flag.

Flag of May 1822

Third design

On 31 May 1822, Torre Tagle changed the flag’s design again.

The new version was a vertical triband, with red outer bands and a white middle band, with a golden sun representing Inti at the center.

Flag of 1825

Fourth flag, created in 1825

On February 25 1825, during Simón Bolívar’s administration, the Constituent Congress changed Cortés.

Flags of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation Era, 1836-1839

Flag of the Republic of South Peru, 1836-1839

From 1836 to 1839, Peru was temporarily dissolved into the Republics of South Peru and North Peru, which joined Bolivia to form the Peru–Bolivian Confederation.

The South was formed first, thus adopting a new flag: a red vertical band on the left, with a golden sun and four small stars above (representing Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cuzco and Puno, the four Departments of the republic), and the right side divided into an upper green band and a lower white one.

The North kept the currency and all symbols of the dissolved Peru, including its flag.

Flag of the Peru–Bolivian Confederation, 1836-1839

The flag of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation showed the coats of arms of Bolivia, South and North Peru, from left to right and slanted at different angles, on a red field, adorned by a laurel crown.

After the dissolution of the Confederation, the old Republic of Peru was restored to its 1836 composition, as were its national symbols.

Flag of 1950

In 1950, General Odría modified the national flag to its current form, removing the coat of arms from the civil flag, since it was used de facto, being easier to make.

The national ensign and war flag were created for exclusive uses, each with a variant of the coat of arms, which was also changed slightly. These remain as the official flags today.

The Marcha de Banderas

The Marcha de Banderas (Spanish: March of Flags) is a military march sung during the flag raising.

It was created in 1897 by SM Jose Salas Libornio who said President Nicolás de Piérola disagreed with the indiscriminate interpretation of the National Anthem at all official events that were derived from civic events.

In December of that year was it was officially recognized to be executed in any official act.

On most occasions today, only 3 or 4 verses of this flag anthem are sung.