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MEXICO GUIDE

Exploring Cuatro Cienegas
by Ron Mader

MEXICO FORUM

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PHOTO GALLERY: Favorites


MEXICO -- Tenacious cacti crown white gypsum dunes in an area described by biologists as a 'showplace of biodiversity' and an 'irreplaceable treasure of Mexico.' Located in Coahuila, the Cuatro Cienegas basin has several marshes and lagoons, formed by fresh water springs. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind the dried gypsum, which blows into the dunes.

The valley has the greatest number of endemic species of any place in North America. With its high biodiversity and more than 70 endemic species, this 200 square kilometer desert valley ranks near Ecuador's Galapagos Islands in terms of the world's unique ecosystems.

Most of the valley's endemic plants and animals are listed by the Mexican government as threatened or endangered and in 1994 the basin was declared a National Protected Area.

Unfortunately, these natural resources of Cuatro Cienegas have been disappearing due to intensified irrigation and mining of the dunes.

SWIMMING HOLES

Balneario Poza de la Becerra is located at Kilometer #18 on the highway to Torreón. Balneario Rio los Mezquites is located at Kilometer #9.

CULTURAL WORLD

The city is formally known as Cuatro Ciénegas de Carranza, in honour of its most famous son: Venustiano Carranza, President of Mexico (1915 -1920). Carranza was born in this town in 1859. His house, located at Carranza and Juárez, is now a museum.


VISITING?

26°59?N, 102°03?W

Cuatro Cienegas is located in the state of Coahuila. It is located 270 kilometers southeast of Big Bend National Park.

Travel!

INFORMATION PLEASE - Dean Hendrickson's Cuatro Cienegas Page, part of the Desert Fishes Council, has plenty of tips, including a map of how to arrive and local orientation.

In town tourism information and guides are available at the city hall (presidencia municipal) located on the city square.


AUTHOR

Ron Mader is the Latin America correspondent for Transitions Abroad and host of the award-winning Planeta.com website.


REFERENCES

b Cuatro Cienegas - Nancy Wilson/Mexico Connect
b Firma Calderón decreto de veda en Cuatrociénegas - Siglo de Torreon
b Agota industria lechera el agua de la zona protegida Cuatrociénegas - La Jornada

FLICKR

b Cuatro Cienegas
ONLINE FLICKR

WIKI

b Coahuila
b Cuatro Cienegas
ONLINE WIKI



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