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43-486: It runs 673 km (418 mi), traversing the Copper Canyon , a rugged series of canyons that have led some to call this the most scenic railroad trip on the continent. It is both an important transportation system for locals and a draw for tourists. The tracks pass over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels , rising as high as 2,400 m (7,900 ft) above sea level near Divisadero (the continental divide ),

86-495: A " chubasco " can cause significant damage to shorelines, despite their brevity. The depth of the water helps to determine its temperature. For example, shallow depths are directly influenced by the local temperature of the air, while deeper waters are less susceptible to changes in air temperature. The temperature of the water in the gulf generally experiences lows of 16 °C (61 °F) in winter and highs of 24 °C (75 °F) in summer. But temperatures can vary greatly in

129-518: A mean depth of 818.08 m (2,684.0 ft), and a volume of 145,000 km (35,000 cu mi). The Gulf of California is divided into three faunal regions: Northern, Central, and Southern. One recognized transition zone is termed the Southwestern Baja California peninsula. Transition zones exist between faunal regions, and they usually vary for each individual species. (Faunal regions are distinguishable based on

172-416: A number of negative estuaries , that is, ones in which the evaporation of seawater is relatively greater than that of the fresh water input. The salinities of these inlets are higher than that of the ocean. The temperatures, poikilothermal , of these negative estuaries also are higher than the general temperature of the gulf. It is possible that at one time these estuaries were positive, that is, ones in which

215-607: A popular lookout spot over the canyons. Each one-way trip takes roughly 16 hours. The track also crosses over itself to gain elevation. The headquarters were in turn located in Mexico City, Chihuahua and Los Mochis. The concept of the railroad was officially recognized in 1880, when the president of Mexico , General Manuel González , granted a rail concession to Albert Kinsey Owen of the Utopia Socialist Colony of New Harmony, Indiana , United States , who

258-619: A whole were enacted as "Area Reserve and Migratory Bird Refuge and Wildlife" on August 2, 1978. In June 2000, the islands were designated a flora and fauna protection area . In addition to this effort by the Mexican government, for its importance and recognition worldwide, all islands in the gulf are also part of the international program "Man and Biosphere" (MAB) and are part of the World Reserve Network UNESCO Biosphere as Special Biosphere Reserve. Because of

301-737: Is 65,000 square kilometres (25,000 sq mi) in size. The canyons were formed by six rivers that drain the western side of the Sierra Tarahumara (a part of the Sierra Madre Occidental ). All six rivers merge into the Rio Fuerte and empty into the Gulf of California . The walls of the canyon are a copper/green color, which is the origin of the name. The New Spanish arrived in the Copper Canyon area in

344-432: Is a growing industry for Copper Canyon, but the acceptance of it is debated in the local communities. Some communities accept government funding for building roads, restaurants and lodging to make the area attractive for tourists. Many other groups of Rarámuri maintain their independence by living in areas that are as far away from city life as possible. Their way of life is protected by the mountainous landscape. Their diet

387-591: Is faster and more expensive. First-class trains are composed of two to three cars, each holding 64 passengers. Second-class trains have three or four cars, each holding 68 passengers. There is also regular cargo service running between Topolobampo and Chihuahua that might be further increased and extended so as to connect with the Texas Pacifico Transportation Railroad at the Ojinaga Presidio Crossing into

430-477: Is largely domestic agrarian but does consist of meat from domesticated cows, chickens and goats, wild game and freshwater fish. Corn (maize) is the most important staple of the Rarámuri's diet. The Rarámuri people are known for their endurance running. Living in the canyons, they travel great vertical distances, which they often do by running nonstop for hours. A popular Rarámuri community race called rarajipari ,

473-647: Is often referred to as the Gulf of California Rift Zone . The Gulf would extend as far as Indio, California , except for the tremendous delta created by the Colorado River . This delta blocks the sea from flooding the Mexicali and Imperial Valleys . Volcanism dominates the East Pacific Rise . The island of Isla Tortuga is one example of this ongoing volcanic activity. Furthermore, hydrothermal vents due to extension tectonic regime, related to

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516-535: Is played by kicking a wooden ball along the paths of the steep canyons. There are many other ways to explore Copper Canyon such as hiking, biking, driving or horseback riding. The most popular way is by train, as the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico or ChePe, runs along the main canyon called Canyon Urique, between Chihuahua and Los Mochis, on the Gulf of California. The Chihuahua al Pacifico began in

559-480: Is responsible for 56 islands located off the coast of the state. These are grouped into four archipelagos: San Luis Gonzaga or Enchanted, Guardian Angel, Bahía de los Ángeles and San Lorenzo. The three general types of shores found in the gulf include rocky shore , sandy beach, and tidal flat. Some of the rich biodiversity and high endemism that characterize the gulf and make it such a hotspot for fishing can be attributed to seemingly insignificant factors, such as

602-805: The Discovery Channel , on Raramuri Tale , The nonfiction book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall , chronicling the story of ultra-runner Micah True in the Copper Canyon with the Tarahumara Indians, who taught him a better way to run. True was the race director of the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon , which ends in Urique 's plaza. The race covers 50 miles (80 km) of single track trail and dirt road. Gulf of California The Gulf of California ( Spanish : Golfo de California ), also known as

645-706: The Sea of Cortés ( Mar de Cortés ) or Sea of Cortez , or less commonly as the Vermilion Sea ( Mar Vermejo ), is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean that separates the Baja California peninsula from the Mexican mainland. It is bordered by the states of Baja California , Baja California Sur , Sonora , and Sinaloa with a coastline of approximately 4,000 km (2,500 mi). Rivers that flow into

688-519: The United States Fish Commission visited the area. The International Hydrographic Organization defines the southern limit of the gulf as: "A line joining Piaxtla Point (latitude 23°38'N) on the west coast of the mainland of Mexico, and the southern extreme of Lower California". The gulf is 1,126 km (700 mi) long and 48–241 km (30–150 mi) wide, with an area of 177,000 km (68,000 sq mi),

731-447: The seawater component is diluted; therefore, the water is brackish , with salinity less than that of the ocean. However, because of human settlement around the gulf and water diversion for municipal and agricultural use in an area of comparatively low rainfall, there are no longer many rivers that freely empty into the gulf. The upper Colorado River Delta is one example of a historically major estuary and wetlands ecosystem, that since

774-474: The 17th century and encountered the indigenous locals throughout Chihuahua. For the New Spanish, America was a new land to explore for gold and silver and also to spread Christianity. The New Spanish named the people they encountered " Tarahumara ", derived from the word Rarámuri, which is what the indigenous people call their men. Some scholars theorize that this word may mean 'The running people'. During

817-563: The 17th century, silver was discovered by the Hispanic in the land of the Tarahumara tribe. Some were enslaved for mining efforts. There were small uprisings by the Tarahumara, but with little to no avail. They eventually were forced off the more desirable lands and up into the canyon cliffs. The alpine climate of the mountainous regions of Copper Canyon has moderate temperatures from October to November and March to April. The bottom of

860-502: The 20th century construction of upriver dams and diversion aqueducts on the Colorado River, is now a small ephemeral remnant estuary. The remaining gulf inlets still are important to several species of fishes, crustaceans, and shellfish that are commercially harvested. Even though the shores of the gulf are generally sheltered from the continuous wave shock that is experienced by most other North American shores, storms known as

903-506: The ChP was not completed until 1961. The private rail franchise Ferromex took over the railroad from the Mexican government in 1998. In general, two different passenger trains run daily: Chepe Regional , a slower service with more stops for locals, with 15 official stops and more than 50 flag stops at which boardings or disembarkations can be made at passenger request, and the other a luxury, Chepe Express , direct service for tourists, which

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946-465: The Chihuahua-Creel section. In 1940, Mexico acquired the rights from Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway . In May 1952, Mexico took possession of a line operated by Mexican Northwestern Railway . In 1955, Mexico merged them as Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. Financial difficulties caused by the cost of building a railroad through rugged terrain delayed the project, and

989-502: The Gulf of California are a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The marine expeditions of Fortún Ximénez , Hernán Cortés , Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo , Francisco de Ulloa , Hernando de Alarcón , Captain Francisco de Lucenilla, and Sebastián Vizcaíno document its earliest record. Juan de Oñate reached the gulf overland in 1605 by following the Colorado River . In the 19th century Duflot de Mofras of France and C.H. Gilbert of

1032-536: The Gulf of California include the Colorado , Fuerte , Mayo , Sinaloa , Sonora , and the Yaqui . The surface of the gulf is about 160,000 km (62,000 sq mi). Maximum depths exceed 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) because of the complex geology, linked to plate tectonics . The gulf is thought to be one of the most diverse seas on Earth and is home to more than 5,000 species of micro-invertebrates. Parts of

1075-581: The Parque Nacional Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon National Park) to showcase this remote area. The park is located in the municipalities of Batopilas , Bocoyna , Guachochi , and Urique . The Basaseachic Falls National Park around the Basaseachic Falls is located within the canyon area. Among the villages located in or on the Copper Canyon are: Copper Canyon was featured on Season 1 Episode 12, of Man vs. Wild on

1118-570: The United States as a part of the La Entrada al Pacifico . On its way from Los Mochis to Chihuahua it runs through El Fuerte , Temoris , Bahuichivo , Posada Barrancas, Divisadero , and Creel , among others. Copper Canyon Copper Canyon (Spanish: Barrancas del Cobre ) is a group of six distinct canyons in the Sierra Madre Occidental in the southwestern part of the state of Chihuahua in northwestern Mexico that

1161-508: The area, many species of wildlife are endangered. Cougars live in the remotest of regions and are rarely seen. After the summer rainy season these upper regions blossom with wildflowers until October. From 1,200–2,400 metres (4,000–8,000 ft), oak trees grow in the huge forests as well as the more shade-tolerant types of trees. In the fall the forests become brilliant with color from Andean alder ( Alnus acuminata ) and poplar ( Populus spp.) trees. Brushwood and scrubby trees grow on

1204-533: The canyon slopes, which can accommodate the dry season. Huge fig ( Ficus spp.) and palm trees thrive at the bottom where water is plentiful and the climate is tropical. Due to increases in human population, there are many threats to the ecosystems of the Sierra Tarahumara Occidental region. The government funding to build a "tourist friendly" atmosphere poses threats to the environment and indigenous cultures. Roads have been built in

1247-459: The canyons are humid and warm and remain that way throughout the year. During the warmest months, April through June, drought is a chronic problem with little rainfall until July when the rainy season begins. The Sierra Tarahumara Occidental region contains numerous species of pine and oak trees. Mexican Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga lindleyana ) trees cover the high plateaus in altitudes over 2,400 metres (8,000 ft), but due to deforestation in

1290-457: The cultivation of opium poppies and cannabis by spraying crops with herbicides , which threaten the populations of many different species. A large saturniid moth , Rothschildia cincta , is one of the species that are threatened by the spraying. Their cocoons are used by the native population for ceremonial purposes. Open-pit mining for copper, gold and other metals not only produces air pollution from smelters , but has been linked to

1333-511: The forests in the area has caused the extinction of the imperial woodpecker and Mexican wolf . Approximately, two percent of the original old-growth forest remains. However, a massive forest-harvesting project in the region has been abandoned, for now, by the World Bank . The Mexican forestry department deemed these species of trees "legally protected," but enforcement is difficult. The government has taken measures to halt or slow down

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1376-488: The former isolated mountainous zones. Agriculture and grazing as well as the cutting of hardwoods and other trees for firewood has accelerated a soil erosion problem. Mesquite ( Prosopis spp.) and desert ironwood ( Olneya tesota ) trees are cut and exported primarily to the U.S. for charcoal. Amapa ( Tabebuia chrysantha ) trees yield highly prized lumber for building and furniture making. Other trees are also cut and sold for their high-priced lumber. Over-harvesting of

1419-487: The gulf, and the water is almost always warmer by the coast than the open ocean. For example, the waters surrounding La Paz reach 30 °C (86 °F) in August, while the waters in neighboring city Cabo San Lucas, only reach 26 °C (79 °F). Occasionally, the northern gulf will go through significantly cold winters. The water in the northern gulf can sometimes drop below 8 °C (46 °F), which can lead to

1462-490: The late 19th century. The Mexican Revolution , lack of funding, and the overall difficulty of building a railroad over such terrain hindered its completion until 1961. The railroad comprises 652 kilometres (405 mi) of rails with 39 bridges and 86 tunnels. The total trip takes approximately 15 hours and passes through towns, as well as the towering cliffs of the canyons. Along the railway, many Tarahumarans lay out their food, crafts and other wares for sale. Mexico established

1505-528: The opening of the gulf, are found in the Bahía de Concepción, Baja California Sur. The gulf contains 37 major islands, the two largest being Isla Ángel de la Guarda and Isla Tiburón . Most of the islands are found on the west side of the gulf. In fact, many of the islands of the gulf are the result of volcanic eruptions that occurred during the early history of Baja California. The islands of Islas Marías , Islas San Francisco, and Isla Partida are thought to be

1548-658: The protection for natural preserves. Copper Canyon traditional inhabitants are the Tarahumara or Rarámuri. With no official census, the population of the Rarámuri people probably ranges between 35,000 and 70,000. Many Rarámuri reside in the cooler, mountainous regions during the hot summer months and migrate deeper into the canyons in the cooler winter months, where the climate is more temperate. Their survival strategies have been to occupy areas that are too remote for city people, way off-the-beaten-path to remain isolated and independent so as to avoid losing their culture. Tourism

1591-427: The result of such eruptions. The formations of the islands, however, are not dependent on each other. They were each formed as a result of an individual structural occurrence. Several islands, including Isla Coronados , are home to volcanoes. The Colorado River Delta contains several islands, such as Isla Montague . The gulf has more than 900 islets and islands which together total about 420 hectares. All of them as

1634-605: The serious decline of the Tarahumara frog ( Rana tarahumarae ). Every river system has been dammed causing fresh water shortages in nearby desert communities. An enormous dam is being constructed on the Rio Fuerte, which poses major environmental problems and may lead to massive losses of tropical forest and habitats. Conservation is underway, but remains informal and slow. Mexico has environmental laws, but suffers from lack of financial resources. Enforcement has been lax or non-existent. Agencies are actively trying to increase

1677-416: The shore for a habitat to be stable. Additionally, the color of the rocks can affect the organisms living on a shore. For example, darker rocks will be significantly warmer than lighter ones, and can deter animals that do not have a high tolerance for heat. The northern gulf experiences tidal ranges of up to 5 m (16 ft). Mixed semidiurnal tides are the norm throughout most of the Gulf. There are

1720-544: The specific types of animals found there. ) Geologic evidence is widely interpreted by geologists as indicating the gulf came into being around 5.3 million years ago as tectonic forces rifted the Baja California peninsula off the North American Plate . As part of this process, the East Pacific Rise propagated up the middle of the Gulf along the seabed. This extension of the East Pacific Rise

1763-439: The types of rocks that make up a shore. Beaches with softer, more porous rocks (such as coquina limestone, rhyolites , granite , or diorite ) generally have a higher species richness than those with harder, smoother rocks (such as basalt or diabase ). Porous rocks will naturally have more cracks and crevices in them, making them ideal living spaces for many animals. The rocks themselves, however, generally need to be stable on

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1806-541: The vast expanse covered by this federal protected area, conservation and management is carried out through a system of four regional directorates (one per state bordering the Gulf of California). The work of direct and indirect conservation done in the islands is governed by a single management program, published in 2000, which is complemented by local and specific management programs. The Directorate of Protection Area Wildlife California Gulf Islands in Baja California

1849-707: Was seeking to develop a socialist colony in Mexico. The railroad was actually built by Arthur Stilwell as the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway , starting about 1900. From 1910 to 1914, Mexico North Western Railway (sp. Ferrocarril del Noroeste ) completed the Temosachic-Casas-Grandes line. Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway completed the Chihuahua-Ojinaga section. Enrique Creel 's Chihuahua al Pacífico railroad completed

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