Sierra de las Minas
Sierra de las Minas is a spectacular mountain range. The variety in its elevations that range from 10 to 3,010 meters above sea level has permitted the formation of different types of ecosystems and forests from dry pine forest to cloud forest. The region is a very important source of fresh water due to the fact that more than 60 rivers are formed at Sierra de las Minas that feed the flows of Motagua, Polochic and San Jerónimo rivers.
Sierra de las Minas covers 242,642 hectares (2,426 km²), and is one of the Biosphere Reserves recognized by the program of the United Nations “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB), and it is managed by Defensores de la Naturaleza since 1990.
A Natural Paradise for the Benefit of Everyone
This Reserve has valuable natural resources because of the variety of its elevations and the condition of preservation of the forests. Sierra de las Minas has a large area of habitat for the Quetzal, the national bird and emblem of Guatemala.
More than 885 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians have been reported at the Reserve. The forests of Sierra de las Minas have at least 15 species of coniferous which makes it in an excellent genetic bank.
The resources of Sierra de las Minas are valuable as part of the natural patrimony, but they are also valuable from the socioeconomic point of view. Sixty-three permanent rivers are formed at Sierra de las Minas which are very important for the economy since they provide water for domestic use for 400,000 persons, and also for agro-industrial and hydroelectric use.
At the forests of Sierra de las Minas there are more than 100,000 hectares (1,000 km²) of land assigned for production and agroforestry management, which represent a big economic potential for the area and for the country.
Large amounts of food and medicinal plants are also produced at the Reserve. The landscapes and special species of Sierra de las Minas have a big potential to carry out ecotourism activities.
This Biosphere Reserve is very important for the prevention of natural disasters, and for the protection of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, irrigation systems and water supply.
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