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The Sierras de Oaxaca Ecoregion
The Sierra de Oaxaca in southern Mexico, (also called the Sierra de Juárez and/or the Sierra de Ixtlán) is part of the Sierra Madre del Sur located in the north of the State of Oaxaca. The Sierra de Oaxaca mainly covers the Zapotec culture regions and the surround areas within the State of Oaxaca. This region is considered by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to be one of the twelve areas with the greatest biodiversity in the entire world.
History:
The Zapotec and Mixtec peoples had settlements in the valley of Oaxaca for thousands of years, especially in connection with the important ancient centers of Monte Albán and Mitla. The modern city of Oaxaca developed relatively near to the ruins of those ancient cities. The Aztecs entered the valley in about 1440 CE and named it "Huaxyacac", a Nahuatl phrase meaning among the trees. They created a strategic military position at what is now called the Cerro (large hill) del Fortín to oversee the Zapotec capital of Zaachila and secure the trade route between the Valley of Mexico, Tehuantepec, and what is now Central America.
When the Spanish arrived in 1521 CE, the Zapotec and the Mixtec were involved in one of their many wars. The Spanish conquest ended their fighting, imposing a kind of imperial peace on the area. At the same time, Spanish Catholic missionaries began evangelizing the indigenous peoples, urging them to convert.
Sierra de Oaxaca Information:
Description:
The Sierra de Oaxaca is located north of the capital city, named Oaxaca City, or simply Oaxaca (17.0605568, -96.7253413) which is the largest city in the state. The Zapotec name for the capital city, Ndua, is still used by the indigenous people.
Location:
Coordinates:
Elevation:
feet
The Ancients
Second Migration
(The Uto-Aztecan Cultures)
Atzompa Archeological Ruins
(17.078846694458107, -96.78262947696604)
Mitla Archeological Ruins
(16.9271095, -96.3595729)
Monte Albán Archeological Ruins
(17.0455358, -96.7675542)
Yagul Archeological Ruins
(16.958333, -96.450278)
The Earth
Caves, Caverns and Rock Shelters:
Prehistorc Caves of Yagul
(16.9508256, -96.4211013)
Forests and Wilderness Lands:
Selva Zoque
(16.938917, -94.771842)
Chimalapas Tropical Rain Forest
Boquerón de Tonalá Flora and Fauna Protection Area
(17.6731607, -97.9476031)
Sierra Madre del Su
National Parks and Monuments:
Benito Juárez National Park, 1937
(17.168056, -96.738889)
Lagunas de Chacahua Park
(15.967103, -97.686831)
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve
(18.211389, -97.399444)
Salado River Basin
Bahias de Huatulco National Park
(15.714, -96.195)
Playa de Escobilla Sanctuary
(15.7241376, -96.7346287)
The Modern Man
Cafetería Origen Mágico
(15.9253928, -96.4195786)
Pluma Hidalgo
The Steps
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