The Dominican Republic's Cordillera Central peaks at Pico Duarte (3,098 m)—Caribbean's highest—with 20 peaks over 3,000 m from Miocene volcanism. The Sierra de Bahoruco in the southwest reaches 2,277 m, limestone karst with Haitian border plateaus. Formed by subduction 50 million years ago, Lake Enriquillo (-45 m) is the Western Hemisphere's lowest point. Northern Cordillera Septentrional averages 600 m, while Samaná Peninsula's El Yunque hits 550 m. Yaque del Norte River (200 km) drains the ranges. This varied topography includes 32 protected areas with Hispaniolan parrots and manatees in coastal lagoons.
