Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park
Encyclopedia
Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park is a national park
in the Mexican
state of Baja California
. The Park is part of the municipality of Ensenada, Baja California
. The area was first explored by Europeans in 1701 by Eusebio Francisco Kino by Dominican orders.
The park is known for its pine trees and granite rock formations. Sierra de San Pedro Mártir is a mountain range
that runs north-south along the middle part of northwestern Baja California
, Mexico
. with its name Spanish for "mountains of Saint Peter the Martyr
. Picacho del Diablo (Devil's Peak) is the highest peak in the park and in Baja California
with its summit reaching 3,096 meters (10,160 ft). Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park is one of the few pine forests that exists on the Baja California peninsula that is important habitat for native Bighorn Sheep
. In addition the park is home to the California condor
through re-introduction program by several international agencies.
The National Astronomical Observatory
, built in 1971 on a neighboring peak, Cerro del la Cúpula, is home to Mexico's largest optical telescope, with a diameter of 2.12 meters, and a weight of 40 tons in total. The observatory is the second most important in Latin America.
Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park was officially created by decree on April 26, 1947, in which 72, 909 hectares were set aside and declared protected by the Mexican Federal government.
The National Astronomical Observatory
is located at an elevation of 2830 m (9,284.8 ft). The observatory was built in 1975, and has several large telescope
s, the largest of which is 2.1 m (82.7 in). The observatory takes advantage of the high elevation, along with typically clear skies, low relative humidity, low atmospheric pollution, low light pollution, and low levels of radio interference.
Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park is a national park
located on the northern part of the Cordillera Baja California Mountain Range, known as Sierra de San Pedro Mártir.
The elevated peak are thought to have began to rise in the Paleozoic era through tectonic rifts. Sierra de San Pedro Mártir a rugged mountain range with drastic topological changes covered with pine forest and surrounded by large deserts. Because it is surrounded by deserts, the park is often described as an oasis.
Picacho del Diablo is the highest peak in the park measuring 3,096 meters (10,160 ft) above sea level. Picacho del Diablo is on the east side of the park. Throughout the park there are several deep canyons and many abrupt topological changes.
Sierra de San Pedro Mártir contains several coniferous species; the most abundant are: Pinus lambertiana, Pinus quadrifolia, Pinus jeffreyi, Abies concolor, and species of Cupressus
mostly found in the higher elevations. The flora is distinct from the flora of the rest of Mexico, and shares many species with the Laguna Mountains
and San Jacinto Mountains
in southwest California
. The lower elevations of the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir are defined by chaparral
and desert shrub
. Sierra de San Pedro Mártir is a southern demarcation of the distribution of the California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera
.
Throughout the park there are a great variety of mammals: Mule Deer
, Bighorn Sheep
, Cougar, Bobcat
, Ringtail Cat, Coyote
, Rabbit
, Squirrel
and more than 30 species of Bat
s. The park is also home to many avian species like: Bald Eagle
, Golden Eagle
, Falcon
, Woodpecker
, Black Vulture
, Crow
, several species of Sittidae
. Californian Captive-born California Condor
have been re-introduced to the wild in the Sierra San Pedro Martir, the first time they have been seen in the range since 1937. Condor was introduced into the park with international cooperation between the United States and Mexico. Local ecologists named the second generation of Californian Condors as "Inyaa" (Sun in the Kiliwa language).
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
in the Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
state of Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
. The Park is part of the municipality of Ensenada, Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
. The area was first explored by Europeans in 1701 by Eusebio Francisco Kino by Dominican orders.
The park is known for its pine trees and granite rock formations. Sierra de San Pedro Mártir is a mountain range
Mountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
that runs north-south along the middle part of northwestern Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. with its name Spanish for "mountains of Saint Peter the Martyr
Peter of Verona
Saint Peter of Verona O.P. , also known as Saint Peter Martyr, was a 13th century Italian Catholic priest. He was a Dominican friar and a celebrated preacher...
. Picacho del Diablo (Devil's Peak) is the highest peak in the park and in Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
with its summit reaching 3,096 meters (10,160 ft). Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park is one of the few pine forests that exists on the Baja California peninsula that is important habitat for native Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep
The bighorn sheep is a species of sheep in North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to , while the sheep themselves weigh up to . Recent genetic testing indicates that there are three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: Ovis canadensis sierrae...
. In addition the park is home to the California condor
California Condor
The California Condor is a New World vulture, the largest North American land bird. Currently, this condor inhabits only the Grand Canyon area, Zion National Park, and coastal mountains of central and southern California and northern Baja California...
through re-introduction program by several international agencies.
The National Astronomical Observatory
National Astronomical Observatory (Mexico)
Mexico's National Astronomical Observatory was first established on the balcony of Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City in 1878. It was later moved to Tacubaya, then on the outskirts of the city, a location remembered in the Observatorio station of the Mexico City Metro, situated nearby...
, built in 1971 on a neighboring peak, Cerro del la Cúpula, is home to Mexico's largest optical telescope, with a diameter of 2.12 meters, and a weight of 40 tons in total. The observatory is the second most important in Latin America.
History
The first explorations of the region were realized by Jesuit order during the evangelization era of the neo-Hispanic territories of California. The regions of the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir are thought to have been explored by father Eusebio Francisco Kino and father Wenceslao Link in 1701. Later the Dominicans continuing the evangelization movement built the Misión de San Pedro Mártir de Verona in the southern part of the park, but only ruins are left of the site.Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park was officially created by decree on April 26, 1947, in which 72, 909 hectares were set aside and declared protected by the Mexican Federal government.
The National Astronomical Observatory
National Astronomical Observatory (Mexico)
Mexico's National Astronomical Observatory was first established on the balcony of Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City in 1878. It was later moved to Tacubaya, then on the outskirts of the city, a location remembered in the Observatorio station of the Mexico City Metro, situated nearby...
is located at an elevation of 2830 m (9,284.8 ft). The observatory was built in 1975, and has several large telescope
Telescope
A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
s, the largest of which is 2.1 m (82.7 in). The observatory takes advantage of the high elevation, along with typically clear skies, low relative humidity, low atmospheric pollution, low light pollution, and low levels of radio interference.
Geography
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
located on the northern part of the Cordillera Baja California Mountain Range, known as Sierra de San Pedro Mártir.
The elevated peak are thought to have began to rise in the Paleozoic era through tectonic rifts. Sierra de San Pedro Mártir a rugged mountain range with drastic topological changes covered with pine forest and surrounded by large deserts. Because it is surrounded by deserts, the park is often described as an oasis.
Picacho del Diablo is the highest peak in the park measuring 3,096 meters (10,160 ft) above sea level. Picacho del Diablo is on the east side of the park. Throughout the park there are several deep canyons and many abrupt topological changes.
Climate
The Sierra de San Pedro Mártir Mountain Range has two main climates with an average annual temperature of 68°F. A temperate subhumid climate in the higher elevations and semiarid climate in the lower elevations. In the higher elevations the rainy season comes during the winter with 36% precipitation falling with frequent rainstorms and several snowstorms. During the summer in the higher elevations with 22.9% precipitation falling. Winters are mild with temperatures typically varying from 37°F to 64°F. Summers are warm with temperatures varying from 64°F to 90°F. Temperatures vary drastically throughout the park according to elevation due to dramatic topological changes. During the winter in the extreme high elevations large amount of snow accumulates while in the summer the lower elevations exceed 100°F.Flora and fauna
Cupressus
The genus Cupressus is one of several genera within the family Cupressaceae that have the common name cypress; for the others, see cypress. It is considered a polyphyletic group...
mostly found in the higher elevations. The flora is distinct from the flora of the rest of Mexico, and shares many species with the Laguna Mountains
Laguna Mountains
The Laguna Mountains are a section of the Peninsular Ranges in eastern San Diego County, California. The mountains run in a northwest/southeast alignment for approximately ....
and San Jacinto Mountains
San Jacinto Mountains
The San Jacinto Mountains are a mountain range east of Los Angeles in southern California in the United States. The mountains are named for Saint Hyacinth . The Pacific Crest Trail runs along the spine of the range.The range extends for approximately from the San Bernardino Mountains southeast to...
in southwest California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The lower elevations of the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir are defined by chaparral
Chaparral
Chaparral is a shrubland or heathland plant community found primarily in the U.S. state of California and in the northern portion of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico...
and desert shrub
Deserts and xeric shrublands
Deserts and xeric shrublands is a biome characterized by, relating to, or requiring only a small amount of moisture.-Definition and occurrence:...
. Sierra de San Pedro Mártir is a southern demarcation of the distribution of the California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera
Washingtonia filifera
Washingtonia filifera , with the common names California Fan Palm , Desert Fan Palm, Cotton palm, and Arizona Fan Palm. It is a palm native to southwestern North America between an elevation range of , at seeps, desert bajadas, and springs where underground water is continuously available...
.
Throughout the park there are a great variety of mammals: Mule Deer
Mule Deer
The mule deer is a deer indigenous to western North America. The Mule Deer gets its name from its large mule-like ears. There are believed to be several subspecies, including the black-tailed deer...
, Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep
The bighorn sheep is a species of sheep in North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to , while the sheep themselves weigh up to . Recent genetic testing indicates that there are three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: Ovis canadensis sierrae...
, Cougar, Bobcat
Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
, Ringtail Cat, Coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
, Rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
, Squirrel
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
and more than 30 species of Bat
Bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
s. The park is also home to many avian species like: Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
, Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
, Falcon
Falcon
A falcon is any species of raptor in the genus Falco. The genus contains 37 species, widely distributed throughout Europe, Asia, and North America....
, Woodpecker
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
, Black Vulture
Black vulture
Black vulture may refer to:* American Black Vulture* Eurasian Black Vulture...
, Crow
Crow
Crows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
, several species of Sittidae
Sittidae
Sittidae is a family of small passerine birds which contains the single genus Sitta containing about 24 species of nuthatches, which are found across Eurasia and North America....
. Californian Captive-born California Condor
California Condor
The California Condor is a New World vulture, the largest North American land bird. Currently, this condor inhabits only the Grand Canyon area, Zion National Park, and coastal mountains of central and southern California and northern Baja California...
have been re-introduced to the wild in the Sierra San Pedro Martir, the first time they have been seen in the range since 1937. Condor was introduced into the park with international cooperation between the United States and Mexico. Local ecologists named the second generation of Californian Condors as "Inyaa" (Sun in the Kiliwa language).