Barranca de Oblatos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barranca de Oblatos |
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View of the Río Grande de Santiago, and the Barranca de Oblatos.
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| Floor elevation | approx. 3,417 feet (1,000 m) |
| Length | 16 miles (26 km) |
| Width | 2 to 5 miles (3.2 to 8.0 km) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Jalisco, Mexico |
The Barranca de Oblatos (which means Oblatos Canyon) is a huge canyon in Jalisco, Mexico. It's also known as Barranca de Huentitán. This amazing canyon was carved out by the Río Grande de Santiago river over many years.
You can find it on the northeast side of Guadalajara and near other towns like Tonalá and Zapopan. People sometimes compare its beauty to the famous Grand Canyon in the United States, or the Barranca del Cobre in Chihuahua.
The canyon covers about 1,137 hectares (or 2,810 acres). It's quite deep, averaging about 600 meters (almost 2,000 feet) from top to bottom. The highest point of the canyon's edge is around 1,520 meters (4,987 feet) above sea level. Down by the river, it's about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) high. This means there's a big drop of about 520 meters (1,706 feet) from the rim to the river! The canyon gets its name, Oblatos-Huentitán, from the city areas it passes through.
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A Glimpse into the Canyon's Past
The Barranca de Oblatos has seen many important moments in the history of Guadalajara. Long ago, during the Spanish Conquest, battles took place here between the native people of Huentitán and the Spanish.
Later, the canyon was also a site for many fights during the Mexican Revolution and the Cristero War. These events show how important this natural area has been throughout history.
Why is the Canyon a Protected Area?
This canyon is very special because it's a biogeographic corridor. This means it's like a natural pathway for many different types of plants and animals. You can find several kinds of forests here, including tropical and riverside forests. Many plants and animals found here live nowhere else in the world!
Scientists from all over the world visit the canyon to study its amazing variety of life. Because of its importance, the canyon was officially declared a Nature reserve on June 5, 1997. It's now a Protected Area to keep its natural beauty safe.
Animals Living in the Canyon
The Barranca de Oblatos is home to many cool creatures. You might spot large birds like Great Horned Owls or smaller ones like Barn Owls. On the ground, there are animals such as Bobcats, Gray Foxes, and Opossums. You might even see Collared Peccaries, which are like wild pigs.
Snakes, like Red-tailed Boas, also live here. And don't forget the tiny but mighty Leaf Cutter Ants, or even Vampire Bats! All these animals make the canyon a lively and important ecosystem.
What Can You Find Around the Canyon?
Even though it's a wild place, parts of the canyon are close to the city. You can find the University of Guadalajara's art and design campus (CUAAD) nearby. The Guadalajara Zoo is also located on the edge of the canyon.
There are also places for fun and sports! You can find soccer fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts. There are picnic areas, a running path, a park, and even an outdoor theater. While some big building projects were planned for the area in the past, like a new museum or a shopping mall, most of them were cancelled. However, a new art museum is being built in Mirador park, which is exciting!
See also
In Spanish: Barranca de Huentitán para niños
