It has peaks almost 10,000 feet (more than 3,000 metres) high, caverns among the deepest in the world, virgin beaches, hidden jungles, and luminous valleys that house populations where, as a crucible, cultures of all people who once lived in its midst come together.Oaxaca, the State Capital, declared Humanity’s Cultural Patrimony by UNESCO, owes its fame to the beauty and harmony of its architecture, the richness of its cultural traditions, the wide variety of its typical foods, and its soft temperate climate, spring-like throughout the year.
There are a great number of natural springs spread throughout the entire State of Oaxaca. Their water springs from the soil, and is thermal, sulphurous, hot, or cold. These springs can be exploited for agricultural or recreational purposes, alike. Some are widely known, and others are not so popular because they are practically inaccessible.The State of Oaxaca has a 342-mile (548 kilometre) coastline, along the Mexican Pacific, divided between the Jamiltepec, Pochutla, and Juchitan districts. The Oaxacan coastline offers an array of natural beauty beyond compare, with its panoramic scenic views and the extraordinarily peaceful waters of its bays. It offers a delightful, tropical climate with an annual temperature of 82°F (28°C), and beautiful sunny days. Oaxacan beaches have fine, white sand. Its topography favours privacy and tranquillity, enhanced by its beautiful aquamarine waters and breathtaking sunsets. Tradition, folklore, and regional cuisine can be enjoyed in small Oaxacan towns that have learned to maintain their ancient customs intact.Because of all this, Oaxaca's beaches have become extremely inviting to tourists. Some of the most attractive are: Zicatela, which is ideal for surfing; Escobilla, a natural reproduction centre for turtles; Mazunte and San Agustinillo, with a live species museum that has become the "Campesino" (peasant's) natural reserve; Zipolite, a nude beach, like very few in the world, and Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido, two bays with truly Oaxacan environment.
The physical formation of the Oaxacan territory, which includes limestone, favoured subterranean currents in the formation of great calcareous and vertical wells that time transformed into extraordinary natural monuments.In the State, there are caverns or grottoes of all shapes and sizes; the most important of which is the "Cueva del Chevé" (Chevé’s Cave) explored for the first time in 1996. Up to the present time, 14 miles (23.5 kilometres) have been explored, and a number of bones and utensils for the celebration of Pre-Hispanic rituals have been found. The Apaola, in whose interior there is a big lagoon, is linked directly to the legend of the Mixteca nation foundation.In the Mazateca Sierra of Huautla de Jimenez, we find a series of caverns that, because of their interior characteristics, have been subject of studies by foreign groups specialists in advanced speleology. Foremost among them is "El Sotano de San Agustin" (San Agustin’s Cellar) considered one of the deepest in America and the world.The Pacific littoral of Oaxaca presents interesting perspectives of its lagoons.
These places are paradisiac and unique surrounded by an abundant and varied fauna and flora, which lend excitement and life to the landscape.The existing biodiversity is an important element of the lagoon system in the region. The biodiversity comprises tropical vegetation, coastal dunes, and mangroves, a hibernation zone for diverse migratory and resident birds, which present an awesome display.Because of its importance and natural beauty, foremost among them is the Laguna de Manialtepec (Manialtepec Lagoon) and the Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua (Chacahua Lagoons National Park), which can be admired alongside the coastal Puerto Escondido-Acapulco road. It is possible to practice all types of aquatic sports and savour traditional foods under the palapas available for this purpose. |
