Cerro Autana

Cerro Autana
Cerro Autana, northern exposure. The entrances to the caves are seen on the right side below the line of vegetation.
Highest point
Elevation	1,220 m (4,000 ft)
Coordinates	04°51′33.61″N 67°27′05.51″W / 4.8593361°N 67.4515306°W / 4.8593361; -67.4515306
Geography
Cerro Autana
Country	Venezuela
State	Amazonas
Cerro Autana Natural Monument Monumento Natural Cerro Autana IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)[1] Area 90.82 km2 (35.07 sq mi) Designation Natural Monument Designated 1978 Administrator Instituto Nacional de Parques (INPARQUES)

Cerro Autana (Autana Mountain) is a geological formation located at the western portion of the Guiana Shield in the Estado Amazonas, Venezuela near the Colombian border. It is characterized by a narrow base, a flat top, and almost vertical walls. Its top is at approximately 1,220 metres (4,000 ft). It belongs to the formations known as tepuis which are characteristic flat-top mountains of the Guiana Shield. Cerro Autana (Wahari-Kuawai) plays the role of the "tree of life" in the oral history and lore of the Piaroa Indians who inhabit the region.

The first Europeans to visit the region around Cerro Autana were Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland in 1800. During 1852-1854 Richard Spruce and Alfred Russel Wallace made numerous observations and botanical collections.^[2] Cerro Autana is the landmark of the region of Autana which encompasses the Cerro Autana itself, a smaller adjacent mountain often referred to as the “Autanita”, the Cuao, Autana, and Umaj-ajé rivers and Lake Leopoldo. Cerro Autana was declared a natural monument in 1978, including part of the Autana River and Lake Leopoldo. The natural monument protects an area of 90.82 km².^[1] The mountain is also known internationally for big wall climbing and exotic BASE jumping.