Sierra de las Minas
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Sierra de las Minas is a mountain range in eastern Guatemala, extending 130 km west of the Lake Izabal. It is 15–30 km wide and bordered by the valleys of the rivers Polochic in the north and the Motagua in the south. Its western border is marked by the Salamá River valley which separates it from the Chuacús mountain range. The highest peak is Cerro Raxón at 3,015 m. The Sierra's rich deposits of jade and marble have been mined for centuries. These small scale mining activities also explain the name of the mountain range.
Quick Facts Highest point, Peak ...
Sierra de las Minas | |
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Highest point | |
Peak | Cerro Raxón, Alta Verapaz |
Elevation | 3,015 m (9,892 ft) |
Coordinates | 15°09′47″N 89°51′05″W |
Geography | |
Country | Guatemala |
Region | Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, El Progreso Department, Zacapa, Izabal |
Range coordinates | 15°10′00″N 89°40′00″W |
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The range has several different habitats, including Mesoamerica's largest cloud forests, and is home to a great variety of wildlife. A large part of the Sierra de las Minas was declared a biosphere reserve in 1990.