Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve

Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
View of the forest of Pampa del Tamarugal as seen in 2006.
LocationTarapacá Region, Chile
Coordinates20°28′20″S 69°40′24″W / 20.4722°S 69.6733°W / -20.4722; -69.6733
Area1,271.49 km2 (490.93 sq mi)
DesignationNational reserve
Designated1988
Governing bodyCorporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF)

Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve is a nature reserve of northern Chile's Tarapacá Region located in the Pampa del Tamarugal, about 70 km (43 mi) east of Iquique.

The reserve consists of three separate sectors: Zapiga, Bosque Nativo de La Tirana, and Pintados. The major highlights are the artificially planted forests of the genus Prosopis (primarily Prosopis tamarugo), found in the middle of a rainless desert, and the Pintados geoglyphs.

The protected area covers 1,271.49 square kilometres (127,149 ha) in total.

The sectors of Zapiga and Pintados are crossed by the Pan-American Highway and Sector Bosque Nativo de La Tirana can be accessed from A-665 Route.