Valle de los Cirios facts for kids

Valle de los Cirios, also known as the "Valley of the Candles," is a huge protected area for plants and animals in Baja California, Mexico. It is located in the southern part of the Ensenada area. This special place covers about 2.5 million hectares, which is roughly 9,700 square miles. It is the second-largest wildlife protection area in Mexico.

Where is the Valley of the Candles?

Valle de los Cirios is found in the middle of the Baja California peninsula. This protected area covers a big part of the state of Baja California. It also takes up half of the land in the Ensenada municipality.

Borders and Neighbors

The southern edge of Valle de los Cirios meets the state line of Baja California Sur. Here, it touches another large protected area called El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve. Together, these two areas are even bigger than the state of Quintana Roo. Valle de los Cirios also has coastlines along both the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California.

What Lives in Valle de los Cirios?

This area is famous for its unique desert and scrub landscapes. You will see many tall, candle-like plants called cirio trees (Fouquieria columnaris). The wildlife area is mostly untouched by humans. This means it is very well-preserved.

Unique Plants and Animals

Valle de los Cirios is home to many endemic species. Endemic means these plants and animals are found only in this specific area and nowhere else in the world. You can find many types of cacti and reptiles here. There are also large mammals living in this protected land.

Different Desert Zones

The Peninsular Ranges are mountains that run through the preserve from north to south.

• The western part, between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is a dry area. It is part of the Baja California Desert ecoregion.
• The eastern part, which is narrower and lies between the mountains and the Gulf of California, is also a dry area. This section is part of the Gulf of California xeric scrub ecoregion.

Protecting This Special Place

Valle de los Cirios was officially declared a flora and fauna protection area on June 2, 1980. This means it is a place where plants and animals are protected by law.

Becoming a World Heritage Site

In June 2004, the Mexican government suggested Valle de los Cirios for a special list. This list is called the tentative list for World Heritage Sites. A World Heritage Site is a place chosen by the United Nations for its special cultural or natural importance. If it becomes a World Heritage Site, it will get even more protection.

See also

In Spanish: Valle de los Cirios para niños