Chile : Guide to National Parks : Protected Wildlife Areas

I. National Park

Generally an extensive area where diverse environments, unique or representative of the natural biological diversity of the country exist, not significantly altered by human actions, capable of self-perpetuating, and in which plant and animal species or geological formations are of special educational, scientific, or recreational interest.  

The objectives include the preservation of the variety of natural environments, cultural characteristics and scenic associations with those; the continuation of the evolutionary processes, and in methods compatible with those afore-mentioned, the realization of educational, investigative, and recreational activities.  

II. National Reserve

Areas whose natural resources are necessary to conserve and are used with special concern for the susceptibility of degradation and for their importance in the protection of the well-being of the community.  

The objectives make note of the conservation and protection of the land resources and of those threatened plant and animal species by maintenance or improvement of the hydraulic production and the application of technologies for rational use.  

III. Natural Monument

Generally smaller area characterized by the presence of native species of plants and animals or by the existence of geological sites relevant for scenic, cultural, or scientific purposes.  

The objective is to preserve the natural, cultural, and scenic environment, and, in methods which are compatible with this, to develop educational, recreational, or investigative activities.