Erongarícuaro , which means "Place of waiting" in the Purepecha language, is a town in the Mexican state of Michoacán . It is located about an hour drive to Morelia or Uruapan and just 25 minutes from the famous colonial town of Pátzcuaro . The estimated population is about 7,000 people.
117-441: Erongarícuaro is hidden high in the mountains of Michoacán at 2,200 m (7,130 feet) of elevation. To the east is Lake Pátzcuaro , one of Mexico 's highest lakes. The town retains its ancient atmosphere. It consists of largely one-story adobe or plaster-over-brick buildings with red tile roofs. The streets are dusty cobblestones traveled by horse and car. The plaza has a fountain, stage and amazing collection of trees. Wandering
234-555: A shootout in 2015 as well as a massacre and clashes in 2019 . The state is located in the center west of the Mexican Republic, on the extreme southwest of the central highlands. It borders the states of Mexico, Querétaro, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Jalisco and Colima, with a 217 km (135 mi) coastline on the Pacific Ocean. The state has a territory of 58,836.95 km (22,717.07 sq mi), making it
351-480: A breeding ground for sea turtles. Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve ( Spanish : Reserva de Biosfera de la Mariposa Monarca ) is a World Heritage Site containing most of the overwintering sites of the eastern population of the monarch butterfly . The reserve is located in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt pine-oak forests ecoregion on
468-485: A crime for which he was tried and exiled to Spain where he would die in prison. During the first years of the Conquest, Michoacán was part of the "kingdom of Mexico" which included the current states of Mexico, Querétaro, Hidalgo , Tlaxcala , Oaxaca , Morelos , Guerrero, Veracruz , Tabasco , Michoacán, Guanajuato and parts of San Luis Potosí , Jalisco and Colima. These lands were divided into encomiendas among
585-590: A letter written by Homero Aridjis, Lincoln Brower and Ernest Williams and addressed to Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in advance of the North American Leaders' Summit in Ottawa later that month, urging the three countries to work together to mitigate the loss of the butterflies' breeding habitat and to terminate all logging in
702-538: A pleasant taste adventure. Except for early evening there is always food on the plaza. Food in the evening would be atole (hot beverage) with buñuelos (light fried pastries) or tamales. During Mexico's postwar art scene: Current artists: 19°35′N 101°43′W / 19.583°N 101.717°W / 19.583; -101.717 Michoac%C3%A1n Michoacán , formally Michoacán de Ocampo ( Spanish pronunciation: [mitʃoaˈkan de oˈkampo] ; Purépecha : P'uɽempo ), officially
819-538: A private and state-controlled one created "a land [enclosure] in the name of ecosystem protection work to further capitalist expansion and class privilege... and a [space] for instituting neoliberal economies... through financialization and decentralization." Gonzalez-Duarte states that the presence of the UNESCO program and the neoliberal structures of Mexico and North America have "reshaped local, regional, global, and human-nature relationships in ways that have facilitated
936-679: A working group to ensure the conservation of the Monarch butterfly, a species that symbolizes our association." In June 2014, Obama established a Pollinator Health Task Force, one of whose stated goals is to "increase the Eastern population of the monarch butterfly to 225 million butterflies occupying an area of 6 hectares in the overwintering grounds in Mexico, through domestic/international actions and public/private partnerships, by 2020." In June 2016, more than 200 scientists, writers and artists signed
1053-491: Is San Juan Nuevo Parangaricutiro , which was founded due to the destruction of its original namesake by the eruption of the Paricutín volcano. The pre-Hispanic sites of Tingambato and Taretan are in this zone as well, which were important Purépecha cities. The town of Paracho is well known throughout both Mexico and elsewhere in the world as a hub of lutherie . This is because the town's craftsmen are reputed to making
1170-464: Is an important symbol in Purépecha culture. Numerous bird species can be found including water fowl such as ducks, storks and seabirds along the coast. Eagles , parrots, and hawks are found in the tropical and mountainous regions. Both owls and hummingbirds are important cultural symbols to the Purépecha. It is also one of three Mexican states where the tarantula species Brachypelma hamorii
1287-519: Is characterized by outcroppings of basalt forming fissures , faults and cliffs in a northeast–southwest orientation. Rock formations have replaced older ones such as volcanic cones and old lava beds. The soil is highly permeable, resulting in little surface water. There are some small ponds and arroyos . The forests of pine and of drought-resistant oyamel fir trees provide microclimates that provide shelter when temperatures fall to freezing and/or there are winter rains. Scientists are concerned that
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#17327806172861404-536: Is fed by streams such as Manzanilla and Zinamba. These two lakes are considered to be the main tourist attraction of the state. Most of the state's rivers and streams are located in the south region of the state, with the Balsas River being the most important. The most important tributaries of this river include the Cutzamala, Carácuaro and Tepalcatepec rivers. Within this region is the coastal watershed, which
1521-399: Is found, the other two being Jalisco and Colima . Tiger sharks , thresher sharks , and porpoises can be found in coastal waters. Reptiles including crocodiles, sea turtles , iguanas , snakes, and caimans can be found in the waterways and along the coastal regions. Michoacán includes critical over-wintering habitat for most of the monarch butterflies from eastern North America. To
1638-463: Is marked by appearance of many volcanoes, active, dormant, and extinct alike. This system is subdivided into regions such as the Sierra de Tancítaro, Sierra de Periban, Sierra de San Angel and others. The best-known volcano in this region is the Paricutín volcano. The state has a large number of lakes, waterfalls , lagoons , hot springs , and a natural system of waterways, including parts of two of
1755-495: Is named after Michoacán's largest port and oceanside city. Here the state stresses the kilometres of beaches and other natural areas in which to practice ecotourism and extreme sports. Beaches include Maruata, Faro de Bucerías, the Pichi Estuary, La Laguna de Mezcala, La Ticla and Nexpa, with the last two popular for surfing , with their regular two-three-meter waves. A number of these beaches are protected areas, due to being
1872-466: Is now officially endangered. In past years the decline in butterfly numbers was blamed on logging in Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, out-of-control ecotourism and devastating climate events such as the 2002 winter storms in the state of Michoacan and the severe 2011 drought in Texas. But now monarch butterfly experts are in agreement that the main cause of the dizzying drop in monarch numbers
1989-413: Is offered in communities which have twenty five or more qualified students. Less formal preschools are operated in smaller communities. As of 1996, there were 5,433 primary schools serving 705,694 students with 25,485 teachers. There is a failure rate from grade to grade of about 9.7% with just under five percent leaving school permanently before finishing primary studies. The most common reason for departure
2106-489: Is poverty. At the secondary level there are 174,354 students, which represent 22% of these eligible to attend. High school level studies are mostly geared to vocational studies and many attend via distance education. There are 24 public and private institutions of higher learning offering 49 different majors. Eight are technical colleges, four for teachers, the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo,
2223-600: Is the area between the Sierra Madre del Sur and the coastline. This area includes small rivers such as the Coahuayana, Aquila, Ostula, Motín del Oro, Coire, Cachán and Nexpa which flow directly into the Pacific. Much of the climate of the state is determined by altitude and other geographical features. Average temperatures vary from 13 °C (55 °F) to 29 °C (84 °F). Lower temperatures correspond with
2340-461: Is the city of Lázaro Cárdenas which contains 2,926 m (9,600 ft) of dock space. The dock is used mostly for the shipping of minerals and grains. There are two major international airports, Morelia International Airport and Uruapan International Airport . Smaller facilities exist in Zamora and Lázaro Cárdenas. The state has abundant hydroelectrical production due to dams on the Balsas River,
2457-410: Is the huge increase in land planted with genetically modified, herbicide resistant soybean and corn crops (93% of total soybean acreage and 85% of corn acreage in 2013) in the U.S. Corn Belt. Relentless spraying of herbicides on the fields has destroyed the once abundant milkweed plants, the only plants that monarch caterpillars can eat. The monarch butterfly is literally being starved to death. Sharing
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#17327806172862574-528: Is the second-largest producer of coke and third-largest producer of iron, which are essential to the steel industry, in Mexico. While there remains significant metallic deposits, their mining only contributes 1.64% to the economy. Most industrial activity is concentrated in the central region of the state, near the capital, where a number of industrial parks are located, such as Ciudad Industrial Morelia. However. there are other areas with industry, such as Apatzingán, Zamora, Jiquilpan and Sahuayo , as well as in
2691-418: Is unreliable and often runs out before it replaces income lost through the communal logging repeal. Mexican agrarian communities often rely heavily on governance from local agrarian and labor union leaders rather than the federal government. The changes in land usage imposed by governmental and foreign influences have made the reserve less effective in its conservation efforts and increased the negative impacts on
2808-669: The Apatzingán Valley , the Bajío area of Michoacán, the Zamora Valley and some others. Principal crops include corn, sorghum , avocados , strawberries , peaches, wheat, limes, sugar cane and mangos. While corn accounts for 43% of the crops harvested, Michoacán is the largest producer of avocados in Mexico and in the world. Forty three percent of farmland in the territory is dedicated to the raising of livestock, including cattle, domestic fowl, sheep, goats and pigs. In 2007,
2925-530: The Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo ' Free and Sovereign State of Michoacán de Ocampo ' , is one of the 31 states which, together with Mexico City , comprise the Federal Entities of Mexico . The state is divided into 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia (formerly called Valladolid). The city was named after José María Morelos , a native of the city and one of
3042-483: The Lázaro Cárdenas area. Major production areas are iron and steel (34.27%), bottling (10.43%) and paper products (8.36%). Most people in the state are employed in service and commerce, and this sector contributes 19.07% to the overall economy. Most sales are in foodstuffs, drinks and tobacco. The state contains more than 12,804 km (7,956 mi) of federal, state and local roads. Major highways in
3159-687: The Mexican War of Independence in the early 18th century. This war was foreshadowed by the 1809 conspiracy in Valladolid. One of the early and main protagonists of the war, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla , was educated as a priest in the state and began to disseminate Enlightenment ideas here. Soon after Hidalgo performed the Grito de Dolores in Dolores (now Dolores Hidalgo ), Guanajuato, a number of people influenced by his thought took up arms against
3276-407: The conquistadors . The provinces with the largest populations were called Alcaldias Mayores, with Michoacán being one of these, with its capital initially at Tzintzuntzan . Soon after, it was moved to Patzcuaro and eventually settled in what is now Morelia. The provincial and later state capital was founded by viceroy Antonio de Mendoza in 1541. It became the political and ecclesiastical center of
3393-472: The "Free and Sovereign State of Michoacán on January 31, 1824. This state was initially divided into 4 departments and 22 portions (partidos) under the Ley Territorial of 1825, with the first constitution ratified in the same year. The name of the capital was changed from Valladolid to Morelia at the same time. In 1831, the state was reorganized into 61 municipals and 207 locales (tenencias). Due to
3510-587: The 'services' provided by communities' unlogged forests." In the early 2000s, adjustments were made to the reserve's border zones, which included permitting seasonal tourism. Five of the eight colonies are located in Michoacán but only two are open to the public: Sierra Chincua in Angangueo and El Rosario in Ocampo. Both receive visitors starting from November until March, when residents offer guided tours. In
3627-491: The 16th to the 18th centuries, Augustinian, Franciscan and Carmelite missions were constructed in the territory as well as civil constructions, especially in the city now known as Morelia. Mining in areas such as Angangueo , Tlalpujahua and Inguaran had begun, as well as the establishment of agricultural and livestock haciendas . The first school of higher education, called the Primera Casa de Altos Estudios en América,
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3744-500: The 1980s and 2000 designated these still privately held areas as a federal reserve. The Reserve was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and a World Heritage Site in 2008. The reserve remains predominantly rural. Reserve administrators continue to be concerned with deleterious effects of illegal logging and tourism. Conservation efforts sometimes conflict with the interests of local farmers, community-based landowners, private land owners and indigenous people. The region that comprises
3861-484: The 2000s, with a dozen confirmed colonies as of the 2007–2008 winter. Colonies number varies; in 2004/2005 there were only seven. In general, the number of colonies varies between eight and twelve. Most of the reserve is occupied by dispersed rural farming communities of Otomi and Mazahua peoples, especially on the Mexico State side. Many of the protected hectares do not belong to the government directly, and
3978-621: The Day of the Dead celebrations), ice cream, churros , and ate, a kind of Mexican jelly made of many typical fruits. The state ministry of tourism has divided the state into regions, mostly based on the major cities of Morelia, Uruapan, Lázaro Cárdenas, Patzcuaro, Zamora and Zitácuaro. The state contains a large number of potential attractions, most of which are classified as suitable for ecotourism. However, only 6.2% of these sites are visited by international tourists. Most visitors to sites are from within
4095-552: The Dead celebrations in some parts of Michoacán, such as the towns of Janitzio and Pátzcuaro , are often considered to be the most elaborate and famous in all of Mexico. The famous Parícutin volcano, which is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World , is located near the city of Uruapan . The state is known as "the soul of Mexico". According to archaeological evidence, there has been human habitation within
4212-732: The French in places like Zitácuaro , where much of the city was burned. One of the first victories against the French during the Intervention occurred in Zamora. In 1907, Michoacán's boundaries changed again with the addition of the communities of Pungarabato and Zirandaro added from Guerrero state to make the Balsas River a natural border. The Mexican Revolution came to Michoacán in 1911, when those loyal to Francisco I. Madero proclaimed Santa Clara del Cobre as their territory, then went on to take towns around Lake Patzcuaro under
4329-613: The Grande de Morelia and Queréndaro. The Central region is represented by lakes Pátzcuaro and Zirahuén . Lake Pátzcuaro has a surface area of 1,525 km . This lake is fed by a number of surface and subterranean water flows with the principal rivers leading here including the San Gregorio and Chapultepec. This lake has five islands within it called Janitzio , Yunuén, La Pacanda, Tecuén, Jarácuaro, Urandén and Carián. Lake Zirahuén has an area of 615 km (237 sq mi) and
4446-690: The Group of 100 Homero Aridjis convinced President Miguel de la Madrid to give the overwintering sites special protection, and the resulting presidential decree, published October 9, 1986, designated Sierra Chincua, Sierra El Campanario, Cerro Chivatí-Huacal, Cerro Pelón and Cerro Altamirano as protected areas for the migration, hibernation and reproduction of the monarch butterfly as part of the Monarch Butterfly Special Biosphere Reserve covering 16,110 hectares [39,809 acres]. A "total and permanent ban on logging and use of
4563-721: The Instituto Michoacano de Ciencias de la Educación and ten private institutions. The Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo is located in Morelia. Its historical predecessor was founded in 1540, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the Americas. Carnitas are originally from Michoacán. Other traditional foods include cotija cheese , guacamole , morisqueta , tamales , pozole , enchiladas , mole sauce , and various sweets such as pan de muerto and chocolate champurrado (during
4680-958: The Lerma River and the Tepalcatepec River. One notable actress from Santa Elena , Michoacán is Elpidia Carrillo . She is best known for starring in the 1987 science fiction horror film Predator alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger . As of 1995, the state had eight television stations, with seven out of operation. There is a system of educational television with 528 broadcast antennas. Newspapers and news sites of Michoacán de Ocampo include: La Opinión de Apatzingán , a. m. de La Piedad , Diario ABC de Michoacán , El Diario Grande de Michoacán Provincia , El Sol de Morelia , El Sol de Zamora , Frecuencia Informativa Escrita , La Jornada Michoacán , La Opinión de Michoacán , La Voz de Michoacán. The state provides public education from preschool level to high school. "Formal preschool"
4797-577: The Liberty of the Mexican America) and "Sentimentos de la Nacion", both of which would shape constitutions and governments in the years to come. The first Mexican Supreme Court was also founded here. The Mexican War of Independence was culminated by the army of Agustín de Iturbide , also a Michoacán native, who took Morelia in May 1821. After the war ended in 1821, the territory of Michoacán became
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4914-599: The Mexican War of Independence, such as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, José María Morelos and others were associated with this school. By the mid-19th century, the school had been secularized and renamed the Primitivo y Nacional Colegio de San Nicolás de Hidalgo adding studies such as chemistry, physics and other sciences. The current name and organization was adopted after the Mexican Revolution in 1917. From
5031-456: The Mexican government designated the area as a biosphere reserve most of reserve is owned by 38 ejidos , seven indigenous communities and 16 private holdings. The main human communities in the area are Contepec, Temascalcingo, Angangueo, Ocampo, San Felipe del Progreso, Zitácuaro, Villa de Allende and Donato Guerra. The closest urban center is Zitácuaro, whose growth has promoted the growth of
5148-660: The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán and the State of Mexico. In 2020, there were nine monarch colonies in Mexico, occupying 2.10 hectares. As scientists estimate there could be as many as 50 million monarchs in a hectare, the 2020 population only reached 105 million. Another notable piece of context regarding the MBBR is the disappearance of Homero Gómez González in January 2020, who
5265-525: The Nahua, Otomi , Matlatzinca , Pirinda and Teco peoples as well as the Purépecha. The main pre-Hispanic civilization of the state is that of the Purépecha, which was centered in the Lake Pátzcuaro area. Before the 13th century, both Nahua and Purépecha peoples were here, sustaining themselves by agriculture and fishing. The Purépecha are descendants of a late arrival of Chichimeca who came from
5382-605: The Purépechas, the monarch butterfly symbolizes the spirits of the dead as they journey from the afterlife . Protected areas in Michoacán include Barranca del Cupatitzio , Bosencheve , Cerro de Garnica , Insurgente José María Morelos , Lago de Camécuaro , and Rayón national parks , Monarch Butterfly and Zicuirán-Infiernillo biosphere reserves , and Pico de Tancítaro Flora and Fauna Protection Area . Lake Pátzcuaro and Zacapu Lagoon are Ramsar Sites , designated wetlands of international importance. The economy of
5499-568: The Sierra Chincua there is a research facility dedicated to the monarch butterfly and a nursery for reforestation efforts. Cerro El Companario has facilities for tourism. Millions of butterflies travel south into Mexico, from Texas and then follow the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains to the preserve. The butterflies congregate, clustering onto pine and oyamel trees. To many, the trees appear orange and branches sag from
5616-550: The Sierra del Centro located near the border with the State of Mexico. Except for the Tierra Caliente, most of the state can experience freezing temperatures in the winter. Rainfall is also dependent on altitude with the lowlands receiving less rain than the mountain areas. There is a well-defined rainy season which extends from June to October over the entire state. Ecosystems vary by altitude. Between 2,600 and 3,500 m (8,500 and 11,500 ft) above sea level, most of
5733-570: The Spanish and the Tlaxcala. The Purépechas are noted by historians to be one of the few rare instances in the Americas were the indigenous people had some experience with metallurgy prior to the arrival of the Europeans, especially coppersmithing and other metal ores located in their empire. Their descendants are still widely regarded for this today. Prior to the arrival of any Spaniard in
5850-682: The State of Mexico, La Mesa and El Capulin are open to the public. Reserves are visited by thousands of Mexican and international tourists, principally from the United States, Canada, Spain, France, Germany and Japan. The best known and most visited of the butterfly colonies is El Rosario. Some conservationists are concerned about the environmental impacts of tourism as "there is no easy way to manage massive tourism... without an ecological footprint ." In February, Angangueo celebrates its Festival de la Mariposa Monarca (Monarch Butterfly Festival). This festival began in 1992 to promote awareness of
5967-585: The State of Mexico. They are divided into five principal zones or nuclei. Eight of the fourteen colonies are in the protected area. The colonies proper cover only 4.7 hectares, but the protected biosphere area covers 56,259 hectares. Five colonies are open to visitors: Sierra Chincua and El Rosario in Michoacan, and La Mesa, Piedra Herrada and El Capulin in the State of Mexico. There are other colonies near San José Villa de Allende and Ixtapan del Oro , but they are not actively promoted for tourism because of
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#17327806172866084-615: The Temple of San Francisco and the Eduardo Ruiz Municipal Museum. One other attraction is the narrowest house in the world as documented by the Guinness Book of World Records . Other important cities in the region are Apatzingán and Caracha. Uruapan is surrounded by hundreds of hectares of forests and by fertile fields growing fruits and flowers, many of which only grow here. Some of the natural attractions of
6201-411: The annual Festival Internacional de Música de Morelia . The festival consists of more than forty concerts with over 500 artists from Michoacán and from around the world. Other festivals include the popular SalsaMich that features a 3-day Salsa dance competition. The Festival Internacional de Cine de Morelia is celebrated annually that is dedicated to Mexican cinema . The Plaza Monumental de Morelia
6318-436: The area to a minimum.(StateMex) During winter 2008–2009, there are plans to tag as many of the wintering butterflies as possible using very light self-stick tracers as to not impede their flight. The purpose of this is to determine the butterflies exact migration route as they fly back north to the U.S. and Canada in the spring. Butterfly counts coming in from the United States and Canada in recent years were relatively stable in
6435-572: The area. Vasco de Quiroga succeeded Guzman, bringing Franciscan and Augustinian friars to both evangelize and repair the area's broken economy and social institutions. Quiroga founded the Spanish city of Patzcuaro in 1538, calling it the Ciudad de Mechuacán. For his efforts, Quiroga is still referred to in the Patzcuaro area as "Tata (grandfather) Vasco". The diocese of Michoacán was established in 1536 by Pope Paul III , and its boundaries coincide with
6552-426: The best sounding guitars and vihuelas in all of Mexico. The town is full of music shops that sell ten-string mandolins , armadillo -backed guitars ( concheras ), acoustic bass guitars; as well as regular classical guitars and mandolins, bajo sextos , vihuelas, guitarrones and many others. Many of the stores and workshops allow visitors to watch the guitar-making process directly. The Lázaro Cárdenas region
6669-439: The blame is continued degradation of the monarchs' overwintering habitat in Mexico, where small-scale illegal logging is still rampant." The joint statement released by the three leaders at the end of the meeting stated that "We will continue to collaborate in the protection of our region's biodiversity and to address other environmental challenges, such as wildlife trafficking and ecosystems at risk. Our governments will establish
6786-476: The border of Michoacán and State of Mexico , 100 km (62 miles), northwest of Mexico City . Millions of butterflies arrive in the reserve annually. Butterflies only inhabit a fraction of the 56,000 hectares of the reserve from October–March. The biosphere's mission is to protect the butterfly species and its habitat. Most of the overwintering monarchs from eastern North America are found here. Researchers discovered these areas in 1975. Presidential decrees in
6903-406: The butterfly habitat, take advantage of the ecotourism it offers and promote the culture and arts of the area. The festival includes events related to food, music, dance and exhibitions of arts, crafts and more. Many of the surrounding communities participate including Aporo , Contepec, Hidalgo , Irimbo , Jungapeo , Maravatío , Ocampo, Senguio , Tuxpan , Tlalpujahua and Zitácuaro. In 2010,
7020-466: The central and eastern portions of the state. Rainforest areas are estimated at 460,500 hectares. One problem facing the forested areas of the state is unsustainable logging. In addition to exploitable forest, there are also ecological reserves with tourist importance, especially the various monarch butterfly sanctuaries in the extreme east of the state. Michoacán's lakes, rivers and coastline make it an important producer of fish and seafood, both caught in
7137-516: The colonial government. These included Manuel de la Torre Lloreda , Gertrudis Bocanegra , José María Garcia Obeso and Ignacio López Rayón . During his campaign, Hidalgo returned to Valladolid, issuing a decree eliminating slavery. After Hidalgo's death, much of the insurgency and spies against the Spanish viceroy were located in Michoacán, with documents such as the "Primera Constitución o Decreto Constitucional para la Libertad de la América Mexicana" (First Constitution or Constitutional Decree for
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#17327806172867254-409: The coordination of international biologists and ecologists to improve the design of the reserve. A permanent monitoring system has been established to ensure the forests remain healthy and control clandestine logging and forest fires. On the Mexico State side, the largest sanctuary is located between San José Villa de Allende and Ixtapan del Oro. It is not actively promoted for tourism to keep damage to
7371-917: The country's largest rivers, the Lerma and the Balsas. These waterways are divided into three regions, called the North, Central and South. The North region includes the Lerma Basin. On the Lerma River is the Tepuxtepec Dam which has a capacity of 371 million m . Rivers that empty into the Lerma in Michoacán include the Tlalpuhahua, Cachivi and Duero. Another river basin here is that of Lake Cuitzeo , which extends over an area of 3,618 m (38,940 sq ft). The two main rivers that feed this lake are
7488-494: The ecology of the area is not well known. Therefore, it is not known how large the reserve actually needs to be to effectively preserve the monarch butterfly population. Since conservation efforts began, there has been progress. While infrastructure is still lacking, advances have been made in areas such as trash control and control of access into the protected areas. One effort by the World Wildlife Fund has been
7605-460: The empire. By the late 15th century, this state rivaled that of the Aztecs, having expanded their territory over much of what is now Michoacán and into part of Colima , Nayarit , Querétaro , Guanajuato , Guerrero and Jalisco . The Aztecs attempted to invade the Purépecha but were repelled. Because of this attack, the Purépecha later denied the Aztecs aid in their defense of Tenochtitlan against
7722-464: The expansion of illicit economies and violence" in the Oyamel Forest. The reserve's land boundary has created a human/non human divide, contributing to the reshaping of authority systems. The resulting borders are frontier zones in which neoliberal structures and governing systems have allowed "outsourced" violence to implement il/icit economic activities. The presence of organized crime within
7839-487: The festival included the participation of the Symphonic Orchestra of Michoacan, The Enrico Caruso Ensemble, and the showing of an exhibition called "Papaloapan" about the monarchs by visual artist Luis Moro, as well as dance and photography workshops. These events took place at venues in Angangueo and other nearby communities. A new photographic exhibition has been assembled to highlight the connection between
7956-594: The fishermen", referring to those who fish on Lake Pátzcuaro . In pre-Hispanic times, the area was the home of the Purépecha Empire , which rivaled the Aztec Empire at the time of Spanish encounter. After the Spanish conquest , the empire became a separate province which became smaller over the colonial period. The state and its residents played a major role in the Mexican War of Independence . Today,
8073-551: The future of the monarch butterfly at the North American leaders' Summit to be held in Toluca, state of Mexico on February 19–20. The letter said, "Plummeting from a high of 1.1 billion monarch butterflies overwintering in central Mexico´s high-altitude oyamel fir forests in 1996 to a pitiful 33 million thinly scattered over seven sites during the current 2013–2014 season, the extraordinary monarch butterfly migratory phenomenon
8190-412: The highland areas in the north and east while the lower south and west, called La Costa (the coast) or Tierra Caliente (hot land) register higher temperatures. In the hotter lowlands, high temperatures regularly exceed 30 °C (86 °F) and have been known to reach over 40 °C (104 °F) in the summer. The lowest temperatures are registered in highland areas such as the Sierra de Coalcomán and
8307-409: The lack of local community empowerment. Through the neoliberal reforms, the central government of Mexico has given sovereignty of the area over to NGOs rather than the local communities, but has, at the same time, created more responsibilities for the communities. Conservationists have withheld payments, even when illegal logging, not the community’s logging, has been occurring. Historically, NGO funding
8424-682: The leadership of Salvador Escalante . The governor of the state, Aristeo Mendoza, resigned. Fighting among various factions would continue in parts of the state for the rest of the war. The state's current constitution was ratified in 1918. In 1920, the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo was founded. Soon after the end of the Revolution, the Cristero War would affect the state, which affected agricultural production and distribution. In 1926, hostilities closed
8541-471: The local communities in the Oyamel mountains. In her 2021 article, Gonzalez-Duarte combines historical and ethnographic data to critique the neoliberal agendas which have been exerted by big international NGOs over Indigenous lands. She outlines the long and contentious history of the reserve. Once private and public institutions became involved in late 20th century, the transition from a communal property to
8658-537: The lower hills were divided into family plots where households grew crops in traditional food gardens" (see below: Conservation). Initial protection for the monarch butterfly overwintering areas was decreed in 1980 by President José López Portillo after decades of extensive research on the migratory patterns of the monarch butterfly. In the late 1980s reserve management was delegated to the Secretariat of Urban Development and Ecology. In 1986, poet and founder of
8775-651: The main heroes of the Mexican War of Independence . Michoacán is located in western Mexico, and has a stretch of coastline on the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. It is bordered by the states of Colima and Jalisco to the west and northwest, Guanajuato to the north, Querétaro to the northeast, the State of México to the east, and Guerrero to the southeast. The name Michoacán is from Nahuatl : Michhuahcān [mit͡ʃˈwaʔkaːn] from michhuah [ˈmit͡ʃwaʔ] ' possessor of fish ' and -cān [kaːn] ' place of ' and means "place of
8892-658: The migration and the people of Michoacán. In January 2016 Google search devoted its Google doodle to The 41st anniversary of the discovery of the Mountain of the Butterflies . Conservation is mostly done through restrictions on the lands but the management of the reserve has not had direct participation by the communities affected by it. Some public and private community entities have tried to incentivize forest conservation and capitalize on butterfly tourism, with mixed results. Some communities are pushing back against
9009-408: The monarch butterfly's eastern U.S./Canada population. It is estimated that up to a billion individuals spend winter here in any given year. These colonies are dense, with between six and sixty million butterflies per hectare. The reserve areas are found in the municipalities of Ocampo , Angangueo , Zitácuaro and Contepec in Michoacán and Donato Guerra , Villa de Allende and Temascalcingo in
9126-524: The mountainous forests of eastern Michoacán to western Mexico State 100 km northwest of Mexico City . The reserve in Michoacán contains the highest elevations in the state, including peaks that reach 2,700 masl (metres above sea level). The climate is classified as being temperate and somewhat moist with a rainy season in the summer. The average maximum temperature is 22 °C (71 °F). Sub-climates exist in this area: cool and semi moist, semi cold and semi moist, and cold and semi moist. The reserve
9243-573: The north. At Lake Patzcuaro, they came upon people with similar cultures to their own but who were more technological and socially advanced. The formation of the Purépechan state in the 13th century, when these people started their own dominion at Uayameo, today Santa Fé de la Laguna , and becoming dominant over the entire Lake Patzcuaro area by the 15th century. Conquest of neighboring tribes and territories occurred between 1401 and 1450, as they absorbed peoples with different cultures and languages into
9360-527: The old Purépecha kingdom . Its first bishop was Vasco de Quiroga. The Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo began as the Colegio de San Nicolas Obispo, founded by Vasco de Quiroga in Patzcuaro in 1540. It was originally a seminary for the training of evangelists. It was granted a royal seal in 1543 to become the Real Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo. The school was moved to Morelia in 1580 and
9477-436: The other, more rural settlements. Many communities in this region are impoverished, with scarce access to basic services, and high rates of illiteracy and childhood malnutrition . In the past, mining provided many of the area's jobs, but the mines have since been depleted. These communities also have a tradition of exploiting forest areas, mostly to obtain wood for furniture and other crafts. High unemployment, especially among
9594-407: The oyamel habitat in the reserve will shrink or disappear by the end of the 21st century, mainly due to climate change. This area is predominantly covered in forests. The composition of the forest varies with altitude: Below 2400 masl, there are small areas with junipers , cedars, and meadows . Areas have been modified by agriculture and human settlements. The wildlife in the area ranges from
9711-581: The province after the death of Vasco de Quiroga in 1565. Soon after the Spanish Conquest, evangelists from the Franciscan , Augustinian , Carmelite and other orders established monasteries all over the territory. Some of the best-known are Juan de Moya , Martín de la Coruña and Jacob the Dacian . As first governor, Nuño de Guzmán disrupted and devastated the social and economic order of
9828-542: The reservation system represents land dispossession from indigenous and mestizo communities. These communities have ritualized practices which emphasize cohabitation and a sense of human-nature equivalence rather than dualism. The trees within the Oyamel Mountain Nature Reserve require human intervention to protect against plagues. Attempts at the usage of PES as an incentive to protect the forest against logging and human activities have failed due to
9945-671: The reserve is divided by a state line, which makes conservation efforts complicated. Within the Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, the greatest threats to the butterfly habitat are deforestation , illegal logging, unorganized tourism, forest fires and lack of cooperation among various authorities. Most of these dangers come from the surrounding human settlements, which put pressure on the natural resources. The interests of residents, land owners, farmers, farmer cooperatives, and local communities have been taken into account regarding conservation but conflicting interests remain. Even though
10062-519: The reserve was over-logged during the colonial period of the 19th century. The post-Mexican Revolution saw an increase in restitution for these actions in the form of land grants among the Indigenous populations. The region has remained mostly rural, noted for communities of Otomi and Mazahua . These communities have "traditionally preserved upper mountain ranges as communal lands for... collective use, including sustainable forest exploitation, while
10179-423: The restrictions and demanding to be allowed to use more land for agriculture. The local ecological ethics of comunidades and ejidos have a long history of protecting the forests through communal management and social obligations to care for the local resources. Communities have created defensas comunitarias to protect themselves and the forests from illegal logging and organized crime organizations. The creation of
10296-649: The risk of harm to these butterfly colonies. El Rosario is the largest sanctuary in Michoacán, where the butterflies cover about 1,500 trees. While the Biosphere still has problems with infrastructure , especially with trash around parking and merchant areas, a number of improvements have been recently made, most notably in the sanctuary of El Rosario. These include well-defined footpaths with security patrols and stone/or concrete steps in steep places to help against erosion. Horsepaths were also eliminated for erosion reasons. Only two areas have significant installations. In
10413-509: The seminaries in Morelia and Zamora. Near the end of the war, Lázaro Cárdenas was elected governor of the state and served until 1932; he became president of Mexico in 1934. Michoacán has been badly affected by the Mexican Drug War , due to its methamphetamine and marijuana production. That resulted in the start of an anti-drug trafficking campaign in 2006 , an anti-narcotics operation since 2006 , grenade attacks in 2008 ,
10530-557: The sixteenth-largest in Mexico (exactly at the midpoint among Mexican states in area). It also has 1,490 km (580 sq mi) of marine territory off its Pacific coast. The state is crossed by the Sierra Madre del Sur , the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Inter-mountain Valleys region. The Sierra Madre del Sur crosses the state northwest to southeast for approximately 200 km (120 mi) in
10647-686: The southwest between the municipalities of Chinicuila and Arteaga along the Pacific Coast. It is considered to be a continuation of the Sierra Madre Occidental . Peaks in this range average about 2,900 m (9,500 ft) above sea level, with the largest being the Cerro de las Canoas. The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt crosses the state from west to east toward the Toluca Valley and Valley of Mexico . This mountain range
10764-518: The state became a department again, regaining state status in 1856. In 1857, Contepec was separated from the state of Guanajuato and attached to Michoacán. In 1863, the diocese of Michoacán was reduced in size, but its status was also elevated to archdiocese. During the French Intervention in Mexico , Morelia was taken by French forces in 1863. Since resistance to the French was particularly strong here, punitive acts were undertaken by
10881-481: The state include Federal Highway 15 and the Morelia-Patzcuaro highway. Intercity and interstate buses provide connections to places within the state and the rest of Mexico. About 91% of these bus lines are second class while just under nine percent are first class. Most rail lines are limited to the north and center of the state, providing freight service to Mexico City and Guadalajara. The state's main port
10998-421: The state is based on agriculture, ranching, forest products, fishing and crafts. Most of the population is employed in three sectors: agriculture (34%), mining and manufacturing (23%), and commerce (37%). Agriculture occupies over a million hectares of land in the state or 20% of the land area. Three-fifths of this agriculture occurs only during the rainy season. Irrigation farming is restricted to areas such as
11115-566: The state is still home to a sizable population of Purépecha people as well as minor populations of Otomi and Nahua . The economy is based on agriculture, ranching, fishing, mining, and the arts. The major tourism draw for the state is the Lake Pátzcuaro –Tzintzuntzan–Quiroga area, which was the center of the Purépecha Empire ; as well as the location of the Tzintzuntzan yácata pyramids. The national and state parks which include
11232-411: The state's production of meat, dairy and eggs was valued at over four billion pesos. Sixty percent of the state is covered in forest, with the most economically important of these located in the higher elevations at the eastern side. These forests mostly produce lumber and resin. These areas are estimated at 2,160,000 hectares, over half of which is pine forest. The most productive forests are located in
11349-778: The state. The Morelia region stresses its cultural and artistic heritage, especially its colonial architecture . The most important colonial structures are in Morelia and built in the 18th century. These include the cathedral, finished in 1744 and the main aqueduct finished at the end of the century. This architecture has made the city a World Heritage Site. In addition to the state capital, the region includes towns such as Charo, Capula, Tiripetio, Cuitzeo and Huandacareo , which contain archaeological sites, water parks and traditional cuisine. The rural areas of this zone contain more than 400 thermal springs, many of which have been turned into recreational areas and parks. These include Reino de Atzimba, Cointzio, Huandacareo and El Ejido. Morelia holds
11466-402: The streets uphill, there is a cemetery and a chapel. Jaripeos, parties and festivals are common throughout the year. The nieve (ice cream), sold in shops on the plaza, is a delightful treat. There are many different flavors, made with water or cream. Combinations of flavors add variety and taste. One of the most popular flavors is called pasta (paste). Popsicles made from exotic fruits are
11583-410: The struggle between centralists and federalists in Mexico in the 19th century, Michoacán's rights as an entity would change depending on who was in control. The state was declared a department in 1836 but became a more independent state again in 1846. Colima broke off from Michoacán to form its own state in this year. In 1849, the municipality of Coyuca was separated to form the state of Guerrero. In 1853,
11700-626: The sub-tropical to the sub-arctic including a number of species that are endemic only to this area. These include white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ), coyotes ( Canis latrans ), long-tailed weasels ( Neogale frenata ), grey foxes ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ), rabbits ( Sylvilagus spp.), ravens ( Corvus corax ), turkey vultures ( Cathartes aura ), great horned owls ( Bubo virginianus )(A), as well as various types of hummingbirds , reptiles and amphibians. There are fourteen major butterfly colonies located in these rugged forested mountains, which account for more than half of colonies of
11817-441: The sun, the butterflies take flight. The beating of their wings has been compared to the sound of a light rain. Conservation efforts, which were first intended to protect the butterflies, are now focused on preserving the habitat. The survival of the monarch butterfly population depends on a large number of habitats across North America. Information about the butterflies is insufficient; the full extent of their wintering areas and
11934-540: The territory it has today. During the entire colonial period, the economy was concentrated in the hands of the Spanish-born, who held vast lands and haciendas. They also held the rights over minerals mined in places such as Tlalpujahua, Angangueo and Huetamo . Indigenous peoples were exploited for their work, and slavery was not uncommon. Education was restricted for only those born in Spain and their descendants and
12051-567: The territory of the Mexican state of Michoacán for at least 10,000 years. In the pre-Hispanic period, there were waves of migration into the area, including the Pirinda, Nahua , Huetamo, Colima, Purépecha and other peoples. There are sites of formal settlements from all Mesoamerican periods. Important sites include El Opeño and those in Curutarán , Tepalcatepec , Apatzingán , Zinapécuaro and Coalcomán . The territory has been inhabited by
12168-492: The territory, then-ruler Zuanga died of smallpox , presumably carried by one of the Aztec delegations seeking military aid. He was succeeded by Tanganxoan II . The first Spaniard to the area was Cristóbal de Olid . The Spanish destruction of Tenochtitlan and their promise to allow him to remain ruler convinced Tanganxoan II to submit to Spanish rule. But, Nuño de Guzmán reneged on this agreement and killed Tanganxoan II in 1530,
12285-524: The vegetation and wildlife" was decreed in the core zones, 4,491 hectares [11,000 acres]. The buffer zones, 11,620 hectares [28,714 acres] were to "protect the core zone from outside impact, and productive economic activities were allowed, within environmental norms." In September 2000, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve was enlarged to cover 56,259 hectares [217 square miles], with core zones of 13,552 hectares [52 square miles] and buffer zones of 42,707 hectares [165 square miles]. In 2008, when Homero Aridjis
12402-501: The vegetation are conifer forests. Between 1,000 and 2,600 m (3,300 and 8,500 ft), there are mixed forests and below this are broadleaf or tropical forests. Tree species include oak, cedar, and pine. Mango trees can be found in the eastern and western regions. Animal types vary from region to region but among mammals these can be found: skunks , raccoons , cacomistle , coyotes , lynxes , rabbits, bats , deer , armadillos , mountain lions , foxes, and jaguars . The latter
12519-500: The weight. In spring, these butterflies migrate across America, sometimes ending up in Eastern Canada. Over the time it takes them to make this journey, four generations of monarch butterflies are born and die. The monarch butterflies migration patterns are altered by climate change. During migration, monarchs fly north once they are exposed to cooler temperatures. Dense congregations are thought to conserve heat. If warmed by
12636-775: The wild and farmed. The most important commercial fishing is for tilapia and carp . Mining is an important economic activity in the state, which is mostly concentrated on the eastern side near the Mexico State border. However, iron is mined in the Lázaro Cárdenas area near the coast. Both metallic and non-metallic minerals are mined in the state. These include silver, gold, zinc , cadmium , lead, iron, copper, fill dirt , sand , gravel , lime , limestone , marble , and others. There are thirteen principal mining areas: Tlalpujahua, Angangueo, Los Azufres, Real de Otzumatlán, Tzitzio, Tiámaro, El Bastán, San Diego Curucupacéo, Inguarán, Las Truchas, and La Minita de Coalcomán. Michoacán
12753-413: The winter grounds of the monarch butterflies ( Mariposas Monarca ) are located here. Michoacán is known for its Spanish colonial towns. In 1991, Morelia was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved colonial buildings, pink stone cathedral, historic center, and aqueduct. Michoacán has eight Pueblos Mágicos ; such as the towns of Tlalpujahua and Santa Clara del Cobre . Day of
12870-479: The youth, also promotes migration into other parts of Mexico, as well as the United States and Canada. Currently, the reserve area hosts economic activities, including subsistence farming, livestock raising, and the sale of handcrafts and foods to tourists. Communities who agree to participate may receive compensation through a system called Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES). This program was established as an attempt to further conservation efforts by "paying cash for
12987-717: The zone include the Santa Catarina Dam and the La Tzaráacua and La Tzararacuita waterfalls. Smaller towns and villages in this region are known for their religious and popular festivals, many of which occur in the summer. Examples of these are the feasts of Señor del Calvario in Quinceo, of San Mateo Ahuiran in Paracho and the National Guitar Festival in Paracho. The best-known town in the region
13104-491: Was Mexico's ambassador to UNESCO, he convinced the World Heritage Committee's 21 members to unanimously agree to list the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve as a World Heritage Site, in the category of natural sites. In February, 2014, the Group of 100 and Make Way For Monarchs addressed a letter to President Enrique Peña Nieto, President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper asking them to discuss
13221-473: Was an important figure in the conservation of the butterfly. Gonzalez-Duarte points out that a disappearance creates fear and terror amongst the community by preventing mourning. Media coverage of this event followed the narrative that loggers were to blame for the disappearance of the environmentalist. Gonzlez-Duarte challenges this narrative and attributes the disappearance to growing violence and an increased presence of organized crime. The reserve extends from
13338-596: Was controlled by the Church. The main educational institutions were the Colegio de San Nicolas, founded in the 16th century; and the Seminary of San Pedro and San Pablo, founded in the 18th century. These schools produced a number of distinguished men, but the best-known is Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla . At the end of the 18th century, ideas from Europe began to infiltrate the upper classes of the state, especially in Valladolid (Morelia) and Zamora . These would eventually lead to
13455-501: Was established in 1951, which was destined exclusively for bullfights . Nowadays, the ring also hosts concerts, lucha libre , and weddings. The Uruapan region stresses its cultural and natural heritage. The city is one of the oldest settlements in the state, which was initially settled by the Meseta Purépecha . This city contains a number of attractions such as La Huatápera, colonial era hospital founded by Vasco de Quiroga,
13572-462: Was founded by Alonso de la Veracruz in Tiripetío . Michoacán was made a separate province from "Mexico" in 1602. By the mid-17th century, the indigenous population had declined by half. In 1776, the territory of Michoacán was reduced to the area in which the modern states of Michoacán and Colima are now. Soon after, Colima split to join with the province of Guadalajara, leaving Michoacán roughly with
13689-499: Was fused with the Colegio de San Miguel Guayangareo. In 1590, its name was changed to the Seminario Tridentino, afterwards to Seminario Conciliar in 1601. By the end of the 17th century, the name returned to Colegio de San Nicolás but its structure was profoundly changed, adding studies such as philosophy, civil law, and others. At the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, a number of figures associated with
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