Ajusco
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ajusco | |
|---|---|
 El Ajusco, view from UNAM |
|
| Elevation | 3,930m |
| Type | Volcano |
Ajusco (3,930m) is a volcano located in the south of Mexico City, Mexico, in the Tlalpan burrough of the city. Ajusco forms part of Eje Neovolcánico o Sierra Neovolcánica Transversal which crosses the Mexican Central High Plains. It is the highest point in Mexico City. Ajusco is accompanied by a chain of other volcanoes and mountains that go by the generic name of Sierra del Ajusco-Chichinauhtzin, among which Xitle (3,100m), Tláloc (3,690m), Pelado (3,600m), Cuautzin (3,510m) and Chichinautzin (3,430m) stand out.
This range accounts for 50% of the area of the Mexican Federal District, the rest of which is occupied by Mexico City. The area is key to the conservation of the ecosystem, such that in its forested areas there are endemic species like the teporingo rabbit, and the volcano mouse.
Ajusco means "watered grove", a very appropriate name, as it is a very green forested area, with many flowers and where it rains a lot. The Balsas and Lerma rivers exist because of Ajusco.
Ajusco is a site for various activities like concerts, bicycling, motorcycling, fishing, and climbing.
The Ajusco area is also home to Six Flags México (the largest amusement park in Latin America), the TV Azteca television network, the National Pedagogic University, the UNAM radio transmission center, and the Mexico City College.
The countryside is one of the few areas of Mexico City to get snows in the winter and offers views, some of which allow you to see all of the Valley of Mexico, including the city and it's skyscrapers, the volcanos Popocatepetl and Iztacihuatl, the mountains of Nevado de Toluca, parts of the Valley of Cuernavaca.
Atop the volcano is a pre-hispanic altar and pyramid, and a site where ancient crafts have been discovered.
