Pantanos de Centla

The Pantanos de Centla (Spanish: Pantano = ' swamp ') are a spacious marsh area in the common estuary of the Río Usumacinta region and the Rio Grijalva in the state of Tabasco in southeastern Mexico. Since 1992 the area has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and placed under protection; it stands on a suggestion list for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Geography

The Pantanos de Centla caused by thousands of years of earth and sand deposits of the three estuaries of the Rio Usumacinta and its tributaries, especially the Grijalva River. The swampy alluvium is on average only about 10 meters above the sea level and has an area of about 300,000 hectares - so it makes about 12.3% of the total area of the state of Tabasco from.

Climate

The climate is subtropical humid with an average temperature of 25.9 °. During the winter months and in the months of May and June, most of the rain falls; in the months of March / April and July / August it is usually relatively dry.

Flora

Reeds, mangroves and other aquatic plants such as water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ), duckweed ( Lemna minor), water lily (Nymphaea odorata ), etc. make up the largest part of the flora; next to it palmaceus see how the guano palm ( sabal mexicana ) but there are also smaller agricultural areas.

Mangroves

Water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes )

Duckweed ( Lemna minor)

Water lily (Nymphaea odorata )

Guano Palm ( Sabal mexicana )

Fauna

The marsh of Pantanos de Centla is one of the last largely untouched habitats for different crocodile, iguana and turtle species, etc. But especially birds - including the Mexico rarely encountered Jabiru and various species of herons, ospreys and peregrine falcons - find food ( fish, frogs, lizards, etc.) and breeding sites in the reserve. When mammals are: howler monkeys, spider monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, agoutis, manatees, and various small mammals. Among the many species of fish known only in America billfish is emphasized.

Jabiru

Jaguar

Ocelot

Howler monkeys

Spider Monkey

Agouti

Manatee ( Manatee )

History

Archaeologists have discovered in the marshes far 19 places that point to a settlement as early as 1500 BC. However potsherds There are only sparse remnants ( imported? ) Of been found there in the alluvial deposits of the Pantanos pending no stone material.

Population

Although it yourself no major settlements are in the field of Pantanos de Centla - the towns of Puerto de la Frontera (approx. 18,000 inhabitants), Jonuta (approx. 15,000 inhabitants) and Macuspana (approx. 7,000 inhabitants) lie outside the actual reserve zone - the interior of which is not entirely uninhabited: Approximately 20,000 members of the tribal group of the Chontal Maya survive for centuries already here - they live as subsistence from fishing and some corn and vegetables. Your home equipment ( mats, baskets, etc. ), they of grasses, reeds, etc. itself forth - it is a tourist sideline has developed.

Tourism

Significant areas of the Pantanos de Centla been a tourist destination and can be navigated with boats; appropriate - usually one hour - tours are offered. On the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, there are several - not a nature reserve belonging - miles of sandy beaches; also here the tourist infrastructure (roads, hotels, restaurants, etc. ) is available.