Agua Azul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Agua Azul |
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 Location in Mexico
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| Location | Tumbalá, Chiapas, Mexico |
| Coordinates | 17°15′21″N 92°06′57″W / 17.255704°N 92.115951°W |
| Number of drops | Various |
| Longest drop | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Watercourse | Agua Azul river → Río Shumula → Río Tulijá → Río Chilapa → Río Grijalva |
The Cascadas de Agua Azul are a stunning series of waterfalls in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. Their name, "Agua Azul," means "Blue Water" in Spanish. This perfectly describes the beautiful blue color of the water. These waterfalls are a popular natural attraction, known for their unique color and the many cascades that flow into each other.
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Cascadas de Agua Azul: Mexico's Blue Waterfalls
The Cascadas de Agua Azul are found on the Xanil River. They are located in the Municipality of Tumbalá, in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. The waterfalls are about 69 kilometers (43 miles) from the ancient city of Palenque. You can find them near Mexican Federal Highway 199.
What makes the water so special?
These waterfalls are made up of many different cascades, one after another. Some of the larger waterfalls can be as tall as 6 meters (20 feet). As the water flows, it often splits into two streams, with small islands in the middle.
The water in these falls has a lot of calcium carbonate and other minerals. When the water splashes onto rocks or fallen trees, these minerals build up. They create a thick, shell-like coating of limestone. This makes the rocks and trees look like they are covered in a white, stony crust.
Protecting this natural wonder
The Mexican government recognized the special importance of this area. In the year 2000, they officially made it a flora and fauna protection area. This means the area is protected to keep its plants and animals safe. The protected zone covers about 25.8 square kilometers (10 square miles).
How the community helped
In 2017, a big earthquake hit Chiapas. This earthquake caused a crack in the ground near the waterfalls. Because of this crack, the amount of water flowing over the falls temporarily decreased. Local residents worked together to fix the problem. They helped restore the waterfalls so the water could flow beautifully again.
Gallery
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The series of Agua Azul cascades seen from the top
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Trees in different stages of calcification
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Xanil River basin
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See also
In Spanish: Cascadas de Agua Azul para niños
