20 curious facts about Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, new world heritage



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Protected Natural Area Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley was included this Monday as Mixed Well in the UNESCO World Heritage List ] because of its unique nature and cultural richness. Between Oaxaca and Puebla is this dense landscape of giant cactus and spectacular birds in danger of extinction such as Golden Eagle and green macaw . This semi-desert area considered " Central Mesoamerica ", with archaeological remains of over two thousand and 800 years and unique species of flora and fauna in the world, is part of a Biosphere Reserve that it is possible to visit, with the corresponding permits and always in the company of a certified guide.

Here we leave you 22 things you need to know about this natural sanctuary, now declared World Heritage .
Unesco describes the valley of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán as "habitat native to Mesoamerica" ​​and "the arid or semi-arid zone of ] with the greatest biological diversity of all North America . The valley is located in the biosphere reserve of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán which extends between the states of Oaxaca and Puebla .

2. It was declared Mixed Good for its natural and historical value because here the first domestication of maize took place, as verified by wells, dams, canals and aqueducts that archaeologists consider the most important. antique of America. One of its dams is two thousand eight hundred years old. Dinosaur footprints and rock paintings have also been discovered.

3. The site is populated by the densest cactus forests on the planet.

4. 86 species of cactus grow in the valley. 11% of them are endemic.

 5. "There are millions of years, this desert was an ocean.You can still find marine fossils, in addition to giant cacti which reach 16 meters in height and the legs of 39, elephants of two thousand five hundred years, "he recounts in an interview for EL UNIVERSAL Roberto Trauwitz, Secretary of Culture and Tourism of the State of Puebla

6. the elephant legs measure between six and 12 meters in height, while the globoas or biznagas live up to 500 years and reach up to To three meters high, while in the rest of the country they do not exceed one and a half meters, says Ramón Montero, director of Ecoexperiencias, a tour operators certified for guided tours in the valley. [19659007] 7. Neobuxbaumia tetetzo the columnar cactus or tetechos ] that cover the valleys and mountains as though they were pins stuck in the ground, can measure up to 20 meters high

 8. The valley has an approximate area of ​​145 thousand hectares; covers Zapotitlán-Cuicatlán, San Juan Raya and Purrón.

9. It is a refuge for 140 species of birds.

10. The Biosphere Reserve of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán extends over 490 thousand hectares

11. Of the six species of felines that inhabit Mexico, five have been found in the reserve, such as the jaguar, the tigrillo, the ocelot and the puma.

12. This protected area can reach temperatures of 40 ° C

13. One of the attractions open to the public within the Biosphere Reserve is the Helia Bravo Hollis Botanical Garden which shows 53 species of cacti and the Paleontological Museum both in Zapotitlán .

14. It is only possible to explore the reserve in the company of a guide certified by the Secretariat of State for Tourism to ensure the conservation of the place. Sites open to visitors are protected by communities.

15. There are guided tours to appreciate the owl the royal eagle the rattle – whose sound is similar to that of the instrument – and the last colony of the green macaw . He lives Oaxaca Cañón del Sabino and can be observed only from April to August.

16. We organize nocturnal walks, walks to identify flora and fauna, visits to the Cuenca de los Músicos with more than 200 rock paintings, visits to giant cacti and the Naajhi archeological area.

 17. The Valley of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán is the second site in Mexico that becomes Mixed Patrimony of Humanity, after Ancient Mayan City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul in Campeche (2016).

18. It is also the smallest region of all the arid zones of the country, despite its biological diversity.

19. Tehuacan ( Puebla ) means in Nahuatl "place of the gods"; Cuicatlán ( Oaxaca ) is "the land that sings".

20. Last year, its designation as World Heritage was postponed due to lack of documentation and research on the values ​​of the reserve and the proposals on operational plans, protection and protection. Integration of local communities.

Which brings you to know the reserve: Ramón Montero ([email protected])

According to information provided by the Conanp, UNAM, Unesco and agencies.

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