Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley (World Heritage)
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley (World Heritage)
The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley – named after the two main locations – is an arid area in southeastern Mexico with different ecosystems, a large biodiversity and a culture steeped in history. A special feature of the 5000 square kilometer biosphere reserve is the columnar cactus forest, one of the largest of its kind in the world. The diversity of fauna, especially amphibians, reptiles and birds, also exceeds that of other arid regions on earth.
The cradle of various cultivated plants: In the valley of Tehuacán, a ditch filled with young lake deposits, the transition from hunter, gatherer and fisherman to sedentary life as a farmer in Mesoamerica can be demonstrated. Around 5000 BC In BC avocados, pumpkins, amaranth and chillies, and later beans and corn were cultivated here. An extraordinary water management system with canals, wells, aqueducts and dams was used for this purpose. It is the oldest on the continent that made the emergence of agricultural settlements possible.
A look into the history of the earth: The look in the small town of San Juan Raya extends even further back. Countless marine fossils can be found here, such as petrified tower snails and traces of dinosaurs that disappeared from the earth around 65 million years ago.
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: Facts
| Official title: | Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley – the original habitat of Central America |
| Natural and cultural monument: | Protected area with the three sub-areas: Zapotitlan-Cuicatlán, San Juan Raya and Purrón, dry area with forests of columnar cacti, as well as tropical deciduous forest, pine and cloud forest; diverse animal world, including 18 different fish species and 27 amphibian species, 85 reptile species (20 of which are endemic) and over 330 species of birds (16 endemic) |
| Continent: | America |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Location: | Border area between the states of Puebla and Oaxaca |
| Appointment: | 2018 |
| Meaning: | impressive testimony to the early utilization of cultivated plants in an arid area with the greatest biodiversity in North America |
Revillagigedo Archipelago (World Heritage)
According to extrareference, the east Pacific archipelago is about 400 km southwest of the Mexican peninsula Baja California and consists of the four volcanic islands of San Benedicto, Socorro, Roca Partida and Clarión, which together are almost 160 km² in size. The almost uninhabited islands have a remarkable biodiversity with rare reptiles and sea bird species. With the inclusion of Revillagigedo in the UNESCO list, a geographical area of biosphere and nature reserves worthy of protection is completed, which also includes the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador), the Malpelo nature reserve (Colombia) and the Cocos Islands (Costa Rica).
The UNESCO protected area of the Revillagigedo Archipelago includes not only the islands but also the surrounding water zones. Above all, this takes into account the protection of endangered animal species such as giant manta rays, whales, dolphins, sharks and sea turtles, which are found in abundance in these waters.
Revillagigedo Archipelago: Facts
| Official title: | Revillagigedo archipelago |
| Natural monument: | East Pacific archipelago consisting of four uninhabited volcanic islands and their surrounding water zones |
| Continent: | America |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Location: | Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, 400 km west of Baja California |
| Appointment: | 2016 |
| Meaning: | almost untouched natural area in which a great diversity of species has developed |
Padre Tembleque Aqueduct (World Heritage)
Not only did ancient Rome shine with aqueducts, there is also a memorable example in Mexico: Located between the Tecajete volcano (state of Mexico) and the city of Otumba (state of Hidalgo), the aqueduct of Padre Tembleque extends over 48 kilometers and bridges numerous valleys and gorges along the way.
The Franciscans had the aqueduct built between 1554 and 1571, the patron saint, Padre Tembleque, was also a Franciscan. Although the Roman aqueducts served as an architectural model for the construction – for example in the form of the typical up to 40 meter high arcade arches – local traditions were also incorporated here. The workers used mud bricks in the construction.
Padre Tembleque Aqueduct: Facts
| Official title: | Padre Tembleque aqueduct |
| Cultural monument: | 48 km long aqueduct in the central Mexican plateau; In addition to the actual aqueducts on arcade-shaped bridges, the World Heritage Site also includes the water catchment area, springs, canals and distribution tanks |
| Continent: | Central America |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Location: | between the Tecajete volcano (state of Mexico) and the city of Otumba (state of Hidalgo) |
| Mention: | 2015 |
| Meaning: | UNESCO recognizes the aqueduct as an example of the exchange between European-Roman traditions of hydraulic engineering and traditional Central American construction techniques including the use of clay. |
