Sierra del Lacandón
The Sierra del Lacandón is a low karstic mountain range in Guatemala and Mexico. It is situated in the north-west of the department of El Petén and the south-east of Chiapas.[1] Its highest points are located near the Mexican border at coordinates 17.244195°N 91.202145°W and 17.195087°N 91.086102°W The range consists of southeast to northwest trending ridges of folded Cretaceous limestone and dolomite hills rising above the lowlands of the Petén Basin.[2]
| Sierra del Lacandón | |
|---|---|
  Sierra del Lacandón  Sierra del Lacandón | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 636 m (2,087 ft) |
| Coordinates | 17°11′42.31″N 91°5′9.97″W |
| Geography | |
| Countries | Guatemala and Mexico |
| States | El Petén and Chiapas |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cretaceous |
| Type of rock | Karstic |
Sierra del Lacandón National Park
| Sierra del Lacandón | |
|---|---|
IUCN category II (national park) | |
| Location | El Petén, Guatemala |
| Area | 2,028.65 km2 (783.27 sq mi) |
| Established | Decreto 5–90 |
| Operator | CONAP Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza |
| Website | Sierra del Lacandón National Park |
The Sierra del Lacandón National Park is situated in the tropical rain forest in the north west of Guatemala. It is part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve and is unique for its biodiversity. It is also considered of great importance for the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor as it connects the protected areas of northern Guatemala with those of southern Mexico, like the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas.
Several ancient Maya archaeological sites are located within the park boundaries. These include Piedras Negras, El Porvenir, Macabilero, La Pasadita, El Hormiguero, and El Ceibo.[3]
See also
References
- "Sierra del Lacandón National Park". Parkswatch.
- Marshall, Jeffrey S. (2007). "The Geomorphology and Physiographic Provinces of Central America" (PDF). In Bundschuh, Jochen; Guillermo E. Alvarado (eds.). Central America: Geology, Resources and Hazards. Taylor & Francis. pp. 1–30. ISBN 978-0-415-41647-4.
- "Sierra del Lacandón National Park. Archaeology project overview". Sierra del Lacandón National Park. Archived from the original on 15 October 2006. Retrieved 11 June 2009.