A deep channel at La Barra accesses the Gulf and provides for the
interchange of salt and fresh water. A low chain of volcanic hills
separates the watershed of Laguna Catemaco from Laguna
Sontecomapan. The lagoon is generally shallow, it is only about 7 feet
(2 meters) deep.
The surrounding wetlands, sand dunes, forests and farmland contain
one of the last well preserved growths of mangrove in the coastal
region of the Gulf of Mexico, and its wetlands are an important refuge
for migratory birds on the north to south American migration routes.
It is also an important feeding and spawning ground for many
freshwater and estuarine fish as well as for crustaceans, while the
beaches and sand dunes are nesting sites for many endangered
marine turtles such as Loggerheads, Hawksbills, Leatherbacks and
Kemp´s Ridley.
Its flora harbors a large diversity of species including several unique in
the world, It supports 3 (red, black and white) of the 4 species of
mangroves in Mexico, many species of orchids, and bushes and trees
never seen north of the Texan border.
ts flora harbors a large diversity of species including several unique in
the world, It supports 3 (red, black and white) of the 4 species of
mangroves in Mexico, many species of orchids, and bushes and trees
never seen north of the Texan border.
Nationally protected or threatened fauna includes the Mexican protected
Black Hawks, Uniform Crakes, Bare-throated Herons, Howler Monkeys
and Neotropical Otters. Also Moreletti's crocodiles, green iguanas,
snapping, mud and slider turtles, Blue and other crabs, several endemic
fishes, and snails galore.
As of 1998 the area has been included in the buffer zone of the Los
Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve. In 2001, the University of Veracruz
obtained a preservation concession to 4 km2 of the Laguna shores and
in 2004, the international wetland organization RAMSAR designated the
Laguna Sontecomapan area as an international conservation site.
Climate in the area is hot and humid averaging above 25 degrees C.,
and averaging rainfall between 2 and 4 meters (7-14 feet) mostly within
the June to January period. Strong humid winds off the Gulf of Mexico
frequently penetrate the area.
Most of the lands surrounding the Laguna are communal, cooperative or
private property. The land uses include extensive livestock raising,
horticulture (maize, beans, chilies, papaya), limited reforestation of
Spanish Cedar and Honduran Mahogany and lately Mangroves.
Tourism in the area is accommodated by a small basic hotel in
Sontecomapan, and several "ecological tourism" enterprises in Jicacal,
El Real, and La Barra. Activities include beach combing, boat tours and
kayaking, hiking, swimming, birdwatching and seafood sampling.
In the 19th century, Sontecomapan served as a port for the Tuxtlas
tobacco industry. At one time steamships used to anchor off its port of
La Barra.
In the 1970's, the Sontecomapan lagoon was considered one of the
richest mangrove vegetation zones in Mexico. Both its lagoon and
offshore fishing produced record catches. But not anymore.
Protection of the laguna environment is arriving a quarter century late.
Although agriculturally rich, flush with fat cattle and a functioning
fishing, agriculture, aquaculture and tourism industry, its population is
poor and only consists of maybe 5000 people.
.
interchange of salt and fresh water. A low chain of volcanic hills
separates the watershed of Laguna Catemaco from Laguna
Sontecomapan. The lagoon is generally shallow, it is only about 7 feet
(2 meters) deep.
The surrounding wetlands, sand dunes, forests and farmland contain
one of the last well preserved growths of mangrove in the coastal
region of the Gulf of Mexico, and its wetlands are an important refuge
for migratory birds on the north to south American migration routes.
It is also an important feeding and spawning ground for many
freshwater and estuarine fish as well as for crustaceans, while the
beaches and sand dunes are nesting sites for many endangered
marine turtles such as Loggerheads, Hawksbills, Leatherbacks and
Kemp´s Ridley.
Its flora harbors a large diversity of species including several unique in
the world, It supports 3 (red, black and white) of the 4 species of
mangroves in Mexico, many species of orchids, and bushes and trees
never seen north of the Texan border.
ts flora harbors a large diversity of species including several unique in
the world, It supports 3 (red, black and white) of the 4 species of
mangroves in Mexico, many species of orchids, and bushes and trees
never seen north of the Texan border.
Nationally protected or threatened fauna includes the Mexican protected
Black Hawks, Uniform Crakes, Bare-throated Herons, Howler Monkeys
and Neotropical Otters. Also Moreletti's crocodiles, green iguanas,
snapping, mud and slider turtles, Blue and other crabs, several endemic
fishes, and snails galore.
As of 1998 the area has been included in the buffer zone of the Los
Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve. In 2001, the University of Veracruz
obtained a preservation concession to 4 km2 of the Laguna shores and
in 2004, the international wetland organization RAMSAR designated the
Laguna Sontecomapan area as an international conservation site.
Climate in the area is hot and humid averaging above 25 degrees C.,
and averaging rainfall between 2 and 4 meters (7-14 feet) mostly within
the June to January period. Strong humid winds off the Gulf of Mexico
frequently penetrate the area.
Most of the lands surrounding the Laguna are communal, cooperative or
private property. The land uses include extensive livestock raising,
horticulture (maize, beans, chilies, papaya), limited reforestation of
Spanish Cedar and Honduran Mahogany and lately Mangroves.
Tourism in the area is accommodated by a small basic hotel in
Sontecomapan, and several "ecological tourism" enterprises in Jicacal,
El Real, and La Barra. Activities include beach combing, boat tours and
kayaking, hiking, swimming, birdwatching and seafood sampling.
In the 19th century, Sontecomapan served as a port for the Tuxtlas
tobacco industry. At one time steamships used to anchor off its port of
La Barra.
In the 1970's, the Sontecomapan lagoon was considered one of the
richest mangrove vegetation zones in Mexico. Both its lagoon and
offshore fishing produced record catches. But not anymore.
Protection of the laguna environment is arriving a quarter century late.
Although agriculturally rich, flush with fat cattle and a functioning
fishing, agriculture, aquaculture and tourism industry, its population is
poor and only consists of maybe 5000 people.
.
Laguna de Sontecomapan, Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico
Laguna de Sontecomapan
Laguna de Sontecomapan
The Laguna Sontecomapan Valley is formed by an estuary lagoon and rivers located north of Catemaco
in the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, in the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico in south central Veracruz, Mexico.
Bordered by the slopes of Volcano San Martin Tuxtla and the Sierra de Santa Marta, numerous rivers
empty into the estuary.
in the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, in the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico in south central Veracruz, Mexico.
Bordered by the slopes of Volcano San Martin Tuxtla and the Sierra de Santa Marta, numerous rivers
empty into the estuary.
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