Barranca de Metztitlán facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve |
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Peña del Aire near Huasca de Ocampo, Hidalgo
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 Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve
Location in Mexico
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| Location | Hidalgo, Mexico |
| Area | 960.43 km2 (370.82 sq mi) |
| Designation | UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve |
| Designated | 2006 |
| Administrator | National Commission of Natural Protected Areas |
| Official name: Laguna de Metztitlán | |
| Designated: | 2 February 2004 |
| Reference #: | 1934 |
The Barranca de Metztitlán is a special natural area in Hidalgo state, Mexico. It's like a huge outdoor classroom! This place is protected because it has amazing views with tall cliffs and deep, winding canyons. It's also home to many unique plants and animals you won't find just anywhere.
Contents
Exploring the Geography
This reserve is famous for its deep and narrow canyon, called a barranca. The Metztitlán River, also known as the Venados River, flows through it. This canyon sits on a dry, flat area. This area is located between two mountain ranges: the Sierra Madre Oriental to the east and the Sierra de Pachuca to the west. The Metztitlán River flows generally towards the north and northwest. It's part of the Panuco River system, which eventually drains into the Gulf of Mexico.
Size and Location
The Barranca de Metztitlán reserve is quite large, covering about 960.43 square kilometers. That's bigger than many cities! It spreads across several towns in Hidalgo. These include Acatlán, Atotonilco El Grande, Eloxochitlán, Huasca de Ocampo, Metztitlán, San Agustín Metzquititlán, Metepec, Zacualtipan, and Cardonal.
Canyon Depths and Heights
The bottom of the canyon is about 1200 to 1300 meters above sea level. But the mountains around it are much higher! The Sierra Madre Oriental, to the east and northeast, reaches elevations of 1800 to 2600 meters. Imagine standing at the bottom and looking up at those towering peaks!
Laguna de Metztitlán
Inside the reserve, you'll find the Laguna de Metztitlán. This lake formed naturally when a huge landslide blocked the Metztitlán River. This blockage created a natural dam, and the water collected to form the lake. The lake usually covers about 700 hectares and is typically 9 to 10 meters deep. However, after heavy rains, the lake can grow much larger, sometimes covering up to 5000 hectares!
Plants and Animals
The Barranca de Metztitlán is a hotspot for different types of plants. You can find dry, desert-like plants called xerophilous scrub. There are also submontane scrub areas and tropical dry forests where trees lose their leaves in the dry season. Higher up, you'll see pine-oak forests, pure pine forests, and juniper woodlands. This reserve is incredibly rich in biodiversity. This means it has a wide variety of living things. Many plants and animals here are endemic, which means they are found only in this special place and nowhere else in the world!
Protecting This Special Place
The Barranca de Metztitlán has been recognized for its importance. It was officially named a national biosphere reserve on November 27, 2000, by the Mexican government. Later, in 2009, UNESCO declared it an international biosphere reserve. This means it's part of a worldwide network of special places. The Laguna de Metztitlán, the lake within the reserve, was also recognized as a Ramsar Site in 2004. Ramsar Sites are wetlands that are important for conservation.
