Sumidero Canyon (Cañón del Sumidero), located in the Mexican state of Chiapas, is perhaps the most famous, vibrant and visited of all the canyons in Mexico. Moreover, it is also easily accessible. From 10 main ones we will offer 10 facts about this amazing creation of nature.
1. The canyon is located in four state municipalities: Nuevo Usumacinta, Chiapa de Corzo, San Fernando and Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and the distance to the canyon is from the state capital — city of Tuxtla Gutierrez — only five kilometers.
2. The canyon was formed approximately 70 million years ago, in other words, around the same time as the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Then it was twice as long and deeper than it is now. 15 million years ago, sea waters left the stage, and the canyon became part of the land. This is how the Grijalva River was formed, flowing along the bottom of a tectonic fault, the walls of which — from limestone of the Upper Mesozoic period, in which fossils of sea creatures are clearly visible. The river has a sharp bend of approximately 90 degrees at its narrowest and most picturesque place with a length of 13 km.
In total, the Grijalva River has 32 rapids, on its banks five waterfalls flow from the walls, and two freshwater streams flow into it. Along the river there are three large river beaches.
3. In the National Park «Sumidero Canyon» There are five glamorous sites, each with its own name: La Ceiba, La Coyota, El Roblar, El Tepehuaje and Los Chiapa. The distance between the outermost ones — 17 km. CaMay the highest of them — El Roblar, from a height of 1200 meters you can clearly see the bottom of the canyon and the bend of the river. In addition, the National Park has two mountain bike trails. Entrance to the national park costs 35 pesos, the ticket is valid for two days.
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4. Until 1960, the canyon was practically not explored. Then he was in the impenetrable jungle, without access to transport. In 1895, three Frenchmen tried to explore the canyon but drowned in the river. In 1932, the same fate befell an American. This gave rise to legends about witchcraft in these parts, as well as about the ferocity of river crocodiles. The river with its 30-meter waterfalls was the only way to get into the canyon. In 1960, explorers, accompanied by Mexican army soldiers, did just that: they swam along the Cacahuaré River to the town of Chiapa de Corzo, then entered the canyon and landed where the Usumacinta River Beach is now located.
5. The fauna and flora of the National Park are protected by the state. Several living species living here are endangered. During the boat tour you can see spider monkeys, crocodiles (the largest in Mesoamerica), Central American tortoises, ocelfroms, green parrots, brown pelicans and even anteaters.
6. In 1974-1980, the Manuel Moreno Torres hydroelectric power station was built in the canyon, with one of the highest cascades in the world. It provides 30% of the electricity consumed by the central regions of Mexico. After its construction, part of the canyon was flooded, which, at the same time, made it possible to increase the length of the river bed to 32 km. Boats with guest powers are now approaching the power plant platform. In the place where the plfromina is located, four rivers converge, forming a new river, Osumacinta.
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7. Rock paintings were found on the walls of the canyon. The most famous of them — Nido del Águila. In addition, there is an archaeological zone — Ruinas de Berlin, which has a ball field and an ancient temple. It is believed that they were built by the ancient inhabitants of Chiapa, warriors who came here from Nicaragua or even Paraguay. According to legend, they threw themselves off the canyon cliffs to escape Spanish conquest in 1535.
Ruinas de Berlín are named after the German explorer Heinrich Berlin, who visited the area in 1946 and called it Sumidero.
8. Only five local cooperatives have the right to provide guest services in the canyon. Boats with travelers have the right to travel a route of 64 km. During the tour you can see numerous caves in the rocks. CaMay famous cave — «Cave of Flowers» — got its name from the sparkles of magnesium, potassium and other minerals on its walls, which have pink tints. Inside — an image of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, usually surrounded by flowers and burning candles left by visitors. Bizarre natural formations on the canyon walls also leave a lasting impression, for example, the «Christmas Tree» with a waterfall. «Branches» The fir trees are deposits of a waterfall covered with moss. During the rainy season, when the waterfall is active, the falling water and light change the color of the «branches» to emerald. Excursion price — from 180 to 250 pesos per person.
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9. Sumidero Canyon — important ecosystem. The dense vegetation cover of the shores, consisting mainly of rain jungle, pine and oak mixed forests, absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. The climate here is always stable, without sudden temperature changes. The average annual temperature in the canyon is — 26C.
10. The canyon is expanding by about 2 centimeters per year. This geological process, which has been going on for millions of years, has not yet stopped. Average depth of the canyon — 250 meters, most walls have a height from 200-700 meters. The maximum width of the canyon is — 2 kilometers. CaMay high point — 1200 meters, where El Roblar is located.