Geographical Center of Santa Rosa
Author: Clay Hillary
The geographical center of the continent
The midpoint of the frigid ice areas the end of the stormy North America and Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of the Americas, is located in Guatemala, in the department of Santa Rosa, to be precise. Authors of the stature of Francis and William Pole Sifontes Corado Ruano, have been even more rigorous, since asserted that the geographical center of the continent is in the grounds of the provincial capital, the city of Cuilapa.
Such allegations, if true, the heart of America would be represented in the department of Santa Rosa, a middle ground mountainous half flat. The nuclear point would be among the mountains, they correspond to the Southeast of the volcanic range, and constitute nearly three-quarters of the department, on the northern side. The southern side, plain, meets about a quarter of the land and belongs to the great plain of the Pacific Ocean, historically called Guazacapán Coast.
A powerful volcanism
The geological history of Santa Rosa is based primarily on volcanic processes of unimaginable intensity. While at first the story is common to the rest of the Cordillera, in various places, such as gaps Ayarza, del Pino and Ixpaco and in the same volcano Tecuamburro, details are printed clearly differentiate. In Santa Rosa almost all geographic features are a young volcanism, dating from the Early Quaternary (the last two million years, barely).
When igneous activity was at its peak occurred generalized fluid lava flows, capable of making volcanoes have a conical shape, as the volcano Jumaytepeque. Volcanic eruptions occurred on some sides. Created parasitic cones, sometimes more than one. Thus, acquired certain grotesque volcanoes, mountain ranges, as is the case with Tecuamburro and Cruz Quemada. Sometimes the eruptions were not central type, such as those typical of volcanic vents, but cracks along more or less long. This resulted in the formation of hillocks aligned, usually rounded shapes and gentle slopes. In some parts of the mountains with huge intensity burst releasing large volumes of materials such as pumice stones, which filled all the valleys. It can be seen on the peaks surrounding the Laguna de Ayarza and flat land all around Santa Rosa de Lima, Nueva Santa Rosa, Casillas, Santa Cruz Naranjo and many other sites.
The origin of the watershed of Laguna de Ayarza also related to volcanic activity. According to some authors, two volcanoes that there had entered into an unusually intense activity. It is believed that the eruptions were so excessive that almost emptied of magma, which led to collapse in a catastrophic event. Thus it is that the basin has the shape of eight and has strongly steep walls. In contrast, in the basin of the Laguna del Pino, scientists believe there was a combination of tectonic and volcanic processes. They think that the irregular shape is due to faults that formed the land sank north side, in an event associated with strong eruptive activity occurred in the area. In contrast, in the northern slopes of the volcano Tecuamburro in an explosion crater (or caldera) was formed Ixpaco Lagoon.
Attractions, The Long lake shore
In line with its varied geography, the department of Santa Rosa is also a diverse set of ecotourism destinations. Whatever the reason to travel to him, being there always emerge, spontaneously, an abundance of reasons for recreation, rest peacefully, riding, sailing, fishing, nature photography, bird watching, helping to conserve sea turtles, tan, swimming, walking to the shore, climbing volcanoes or know the exact center of the Americas.
Volcanoes. Four: Tecuamburro (1.945 meters high) in jurisdictions of Pueblo Nuevo Viñas, Taxisco and Chiquimulilla; Jumaytepeque (1,815 meters) on lands of Nueva Santa Rosa, Cruz Quemada (1.690 meters) in Santa Maria Ixhuatán, and Cerro Redondo (1.220 meters ) in Barberena.
Tecuamburro and Cruz Quemada, are the most southerly, part of the slopes of the Cordillera, which acquired a mountain and from its summit can be seen the vast plains of the coast and the Pacific Ocean. The other two, further north, represent very popular rides. The rise of the four is easy and rewarding.
Laguna del Pino. Its proximity to the cities of Guatemala and Cuilapa, the departmental capital, make this lake a hard place visited. On weekends, especially Sunday, there are many food and beverage sales. The surrounding fields that are populated by casuarina trees, are ideal for walking and picnic. There is even a field for soccer practice and the ability to rent horses to ride through the countryside. The lake itself offers opportunities for swimming, fishing and boating in small boats for hire. It is reached by a carriage road at all times with any vehicle.
Ayarza Lagoon. A little further away but not inaccessible. You get to it by dirt road in good condition. Its slopes are steep and majestic, but they are very careless and deforested. Many local people visit it regularly for swimming and bathing. Others prefer to fish, bird watch and photograph.
Ixpaco Lagoon. This lake, connected by short dirt track, is a rare sulfur water tank that is born on the same site. It is certainly a result of volcanic activity Tecuamburro, whose skirts are. It is almost circular with a diameter of about 350 meters, straw yellow color and strong smell of sulfur. His bubbling fountains, warm, are reputed to be medicinal. The scenario is of rare beauty, but otherwise, is a lake died.
Slave River. Current own territory, which split in half lengthwise. In many places along the valley, have enabled intensely pleasant and refreshing spa. In some there is even the possibility of camping and spend delightful evenings in the light of the moon, or stars.
Marine beaches. The entire coastline of Santa Rosa, just over 45 kilometers long, is an almost continuous series of beaches. Due to the uniformity of the coast, the major difference between them is their relative degree of isolation or tourist facilities. Many visitors prefer certain solitude, others can go to a restaurant or luxury hotel, for all is to your liking. The most popular are: The Carlton, Madre Vieja, La Candelaria, the Pump, Monterrico, Hawaii, Los Limones, San José Buena Vista and Las Lisas. The latter is, perhaps, the most beautiful beach of Pacific Guatemala.
Chiquimulilla Channel. This large body of water across the entire department, along the seafront and beaches, only separated from it by a dune rich color and sun. In geographic rigor is an elongated lake shoreline, brackish, estuarine. It is navigable throughout, so that through them you can reach any beach or coastal community rugged landscape of solemnity. Its banks are populated either mangrove, rushes, alternating extremely important habitats for wildlife and beauty to the photographer or the common visitor.
Monterrico Nature Reserve. Taking the village as heart Monterrico, Taxisco municipality, this reserve is a section Chiquimulilla Canal, with its dunes, beaches, mangroves and rushes magnificently represented. It is the point on the coast santarroseña provides more facilities to meet her, try smelling seafood dishes, a refreshing coconut drink, making skin color take the bronze, enraptured in front of sunset on the horizon or help programs Environmental Conservation Studies Centre.
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