Cerros de Escazú facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Escazú Mountains |
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Cerros de Escazú from the suburbs of San José
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Cerro Rabo de Mico |
| Elevation | 2,428 m (7,966 ft) |
| Naming | |
| Native name | Error {{native name}}: an IETF language tag as parameter {{{1}}} is required (help) |
| Geography | |
| Country | Costa Rica |
| Range coordinates | 9°51′N 84°09′W / 9.850°N 84.150°W |
| Parent range | Cordillera de Talamanca |
The Escazú Mountains (called Cerros de Escazú in Spanish) are a mountain range in central Costa Rica. They are located in the San José Province. These mountains are a beautiful part of the landscape near the capital city, San José.
Contents
Where are the Escazú Mountains?
The Escazú Mountains form the southern border of Costa Rica's Central Valley. This valley is a very important area where many people live. These mountains are also seen as the northernmost part of a larger mountain chain called the Cordillera de Talamanca.
Tallest Peaks in Escazú
The highest point in the Escazú Mountains is Cerro Rabo de Mico. It stands tall at about 2,428 meters (7,966 feet) above sea level. Another very tall peak is Cerro Cedral, which is about 2,420 meters (7,940 feet) high.
Other important peaks in the range include Cerro Pico Alto at 2,353 meters (7,720 feet). You can also find Cerro Pico Blanco at 2,271 meters (7,451 feet). And Cerro San Miguel reaches 2,035 meters (6,677 feet) high.
Towns and Areas Nearby
While these mountains are in San José Province, you can see them southwest of the capital city, San José. The name "Escazú" comes from the canton of Escazú, which is on the northern side of the mountains.
Other towns close to the mountains include Santa Ana to the north. Ciudad Colón is to the northwest, and Tabarcia is to the southwest. You'll also find Palmichal to the southwest, Aserrí to the east, and Alajuelita to the northeast. These mountains stretch across several different areas called cantons. These include Escazú, Santa Ana, Mora, Acosta, Aserrí, and Alajuelita.
The Quitirrisí area, located in these hills, is a special reserve for Native American communities. It is the closest such reserve to the capital city.
Protecting the Escazú Mountains
The Escazú Mountains are very important for nature. They have many different types of habitats and a lot of different plants and animals. This is because of the different weather patterns that affect the area. To help protect this rich natural life and the local water sources, special areas have been created.
These protected areas include the Escazú Hills Protected Zone, the El Rodeo Protected Zone, and the Quitirrisí Protected Zone. These zones help keep the environment safe and healthy.
The mountains are also a popular spot for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy mountain biking and hiking here. However, it's good to know that there are not always clear paths or trails marked out.
See also
In Spanish: Cerros de Escazú para niños
