Los Tuxtlas
Los Tuxtlas are almost an island. They are an isolated fragment of volcanic mountains, disrupting the Gulf
of Mexico plains in front of the Sierra Madre, in south central Veracruz, Mexico, and include the furthest
northern American extension of jungle habitat and rain forest.
The entire region is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the river basins of the Papaloapan and
Coatzacoalcos rivers, except for a minor elevation of land near Acayucan. The region may revert to be
an island if the threatened increase in rise of sea level should ever occur.
In general, the area is delimited to include the 10 municipios, (equivalent to US counties), of Angel R
Cabada, Santiago Tuxtla, San Andrés Tuxtla, Catemaco, Soteapan, Hueyapan de Ocampo, Tatahuicapan
de Júarez, Mecayapan, Chinameca and Pajapan.
of Mexico plains in front of the Sierra Madre, in south central Veracruz, Mexico, and include the furthest
northern American extension of jungle habitat and rain forest.
The entire region is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the river basins of the Papaloapan and
Coatzacoalcos rivers, except for a minor elevation of land near Acayucan. The region may revert to be
an island if the threatened increase in rise of sea level should ever occur.
In general, the area is delimited to include the 10 municipios, (equivalent to US counties), of Angel R
Cabada, Santiago Tuxtla, San Andrés Tuxtla, Catemaco, Soteapan, Hueyapan de Ocampo, Tatahuicapan
de Júarez, Mecayapan, Chinameca and Pajapan.
The heart of Los Tuxtlas is the volcanic massif of the Sierra de
Los Tuxtlas. Eruptions beginning more than 7 million years ago
raised volcanoes in a 1275 square mile area with a handful
reaching above 5000 feet. Lying on a NE - SE axis the Sierra is
app 59 miles long and 31 miles at its widest.
5500 feet tall San Martín Tuxtla volcano dominates the
geologically younger northern section and Volcano Santa Marta
crowns the older southern section. Most of the population
centers are in the 700 - 1300 feet range.
Los Tuxtlas. Eruptions beginning more than 7 million years ago
raised volcanoes in a 1275 square mile area with a handful
reaching above 5000 feet. Lying on a NE - SE axis the Sierra is
app 59 miles long and 31 miles at its widest.
5500 feet tall San Martín Tuxtla volcano dominates the
geologically younger northern section and Volcano Santa Marta
crowns the older southern section. Most of the population
centers are in the 700 - 1300 feet range.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Most of the higher elevations extending to the Gulf of Mexico
are included in the nature reserve "Reserva de La Biosfera de
Los Tuxtlas" formed in 1998 and covering about 50 square
miles.
Almost 300 miles of rivers and streams riddled with rapids and
waterfalls crisscross the landscape. Lakes abound and the
heavy annual rain paints the area in hundreds of shades of
green, enjoyed by thousands of species of fauna and flora,
many of which, because of the Los Tuxtlas isolation, are
unique in the world.
are included in the nature reserve "Reserva de La Biosfera de
Los Tuxtlas" formed in 1998 and covering about 50 square
miles.
Almost 300 miles of rivers and streams riddled with rapids and
waterfalls crisscross the landscape. Lakes abound and the
heavy annual rain paints the area in hundreds of shades of
green, enjoyed by thousands of species of fauna and flora,
many of which, because of the Los Tuxtlas isolation, are
unique in the world.
The presence of the Los Tuxtlas biological research station
has made the area a reference point for 100´s of scientific
studies of anything that appears green, crawls or flies in Los
Tuxtlas, making it one of the world´s best studied regions.
Drill cores from surrounding lakes date agricultural activity in
the Catemaco and the Tuxtlas area to 7000 years ago. Olmecs
are alleged to have initiated Mesoamerican civilization in the
Tuxtlas region, beginning perhaps 1600 BC.
has made the area a reference point for 100´s of scientific
studies of anything that appears green, crawls or flies in Los
Tuxtlas, making it one of the world´s best studied regions.
Drill cores from surrounding lakes date agricultural activity in
the Catemaco and the Tuxtlas area to 7000 years ago. Olmecs
are alleged to have initiated Mesoamerican civilization in the
Tuxtlas region, beginning perhaps 1600 BC.
Information:
Photos of Los Tuxtlas
Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve
Tropical Biology Station of Los Tuxtlas
Tuxtlas Encyclopedia - Los Tuxtlas non-touristic details
Photos of Los Tuxtlas
Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve
Tropical Biology Station of Los Tuxtlas
Tuxtlas Encyclopedia - Los Tuxtlas non-touristic details
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
The Los Tuxtlas coastline rolls 75 miles from Angel R. Cabada
to Pajapan and presents amazing views of scintillating gulf
waters, rocky outcroppings interspersed with fragile sand
dunes and incomparable vistas of distant volcanoes.
Despite recent environmental destruction, Los Tuxtlas still retain
a significant number of endemic species, possibly saved by
isolated environment and climactic variety. In addition more than
550 bird species, zillions of butterflies and some of the most
remarkable insects and bats of the world inhabit the Tuxtlas
landscape.
Touristically, Los Tuxtlas are in the stone age, except for
Catemaco City which has become a small Mecca for mostly
Mexican visitors.
to Pajapan and presents amazing views of scintillating gulf
waters, rocky outcroppings interspersed with fragile sand
dunes and incomparable vistas of distant volcanoes.
Despite recent environmental destruction, Los Tuxtlas still retain
a significant number of endemic species, possibly saved by
isolated environment and climactic variety. In addition more than
550 bird species, zillions of butterflies and some of the most
remarkable insects and bats of the world inhabit the Tuxtlas
landscape.
Touristically, Los Tuxtlas are in the stone age, except for
Catemaco City which has become a small Mecca for mostly
Mexican visitors.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |