Cerro de Chipinque facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cerro de Chipinque |
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Cerro de Chipinque seen from Monterrey
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,229 m (7,313 ft) |
| Geography | |
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| Location | San Pedro, Monterrey, Santa Catarina; Nuevo León |
| Country |  Mexico |
| Parent range | Sierra Madre Oriental |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Mountain |
The Cerro de Chipinque is a famous mountain in Mexico. It is located near the cities of San Pedro, Monterrey, and Santa Catarina in the state of Nuevo León. This mountain is a big part of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. It is also inside the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park.
The top of the mountain is 2,229 meters above sea level. Cerro de Chipinque is a well-known symbol for the Monterrey area. The mountain is surrounded by valleys and canyons, like the Santa Catarina valley and La Huasteca canyon. A special place called "Parque ecológico Chipinque" (Chipinque Ecological Park) is on the northern side of the mountain. People think the mountain's name comes from an old word meaning "small rain" or from an ancient leader's name.
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La eme seen from the plateau of Chipinque Park.
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La eme seen from a hotel at the plateau.
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El Pinar seen from Chipinque
Contents
History of Chipinque Park
Even though this area was always beautiful, it only became an Ecological Park in 1992. This happened when the government of Nuevo León and some private groups worked together. The park was also a popular spot for people who loved biology and ecology. This was because its unique plants and animals showed what the northern habitat was like.
The main goal of Chipinque Park is to protect the many different kinds of plants and animals that live there. They do this by using natural resources carefully. Chipinque Park is open every day of the year, from 6 AM to 8 PM. Most of the park is open for everyone to enjoy. However, you need special permission and a guide to climb some of the very highest peaks. About 22 forest rangers work at the park to help protect it.
Geography of the Mountain
Cerro de Chipinque is located in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. It is part of the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park. The mountain covers a large area of 1,625 hectares. But only about 300 hectares are open for people to visit.
The mountain's height ranges from 800 meters to about 2,200 meters above sea level. The very tallest peak is called Copete de las Aguillas. This Spanish name means "crest of the eagles." The main ridge of the mountain is about 17 kilometers long.
Plants and Animals
Chipinque is home to many interesting plants and animals. It's a great place to see nature up close!
Plants of the Mountain
This area is mostly known for its large coniferous forests. These are forests filled with trees that have needles and cones, like pine trees. Some of the plants you might see here include different types of Agave plants, which are spiky desert plants. You can also find ferns, oak trees, and various kinds of cactus like Mammillaria (pincushion cactus) and Opuntia (prickly pear). Other plants include Juniperus flaccida (a type of juniper tree) and Prosopis (mesquite trees).
Animals of the Mountain
The park has many large mammals and birds. Some of the mammals you might spot are Coyotes, Wildcats, Coatis, and White-tailed deer. Sometimes, even the grey wolf can be seen.
For bird watchers, there are Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey vultures, and Wild Turkeys. You might also see smaller birds like the Bronzed cowbird and the colorful Blue-capped motmot. The park is also home to different reptiles, such as spiny lizards and Texas alligator lizards. Chipinque is especially famous for its many different kinds of butterfly species.
Mountain Climate
The average temperature in Chipinque is around 20 °C (68 °F). The area gets about 860mm of rain each year. This region is mainly a subhumid temperate forest. This means it has mild temperatures and enough rain for forests to grow. It also has submontane scrubland, which are areas with shrubs and small trees found on the lower parts of mountains. The forests here are mostly made up of pine and oak trees.
See also
In Spanish: Cerro de Chipinque para niños
