Paso de Cortés

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Paso de Cortés is a mountain pass between the Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes in central Mexico.[1][2] It is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, at a point where the southeast-trending continental divide turns north for over 16 km (10 mi). The altitude of the pass ranges between 3,600 m (11,800 ft) and 3,800 m (12,500 ft), and serves as the access point to Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park.[1][3][2] The pass is located in the municipality of Amecameca in the State of México, about 90 km (56 mi) southeast of Mexico City.

History

The name derives from the transit of conquistador Hernán Cortés and his men over the pass in 1519.[4][1][2] After the battle of Cholula, the Spanish continued northwest into the Valley of Mexico and the city of Tenochtitlán to confront the Aztecs and their emperor Moctezuma.

The former name of the site was Tlamacaxco, which means 'Upper pass'.[1]

Flora and fauna

The predominant plant communities in the park are montane conifer forests and alpine grasslands. Mexican mountain pine and sacred fir are the most common species. Since the forest canopy is not too thick, many other tree and shrub species of the Senecio, Ribes, Muhlenbergia, Agrostis, Brachypodium, Lupinus and Festuca genus inhabit the zone.[1]

Access

There is a paved road from Amecameca on the Mexico City side to Paso de Cortés, and from there south to Tlamacas towards Popocatépetl or north to the area near the base of Iztaccihuatl.[1] The pass can also be reached on dirt trails from Cholula, which are at least sometimes passable by 4-wheel-drive vehicles.

References

  1. "Programa de Manejo Parque Nacional Iztaccíhuatl Popocatépetl". National Commission on Natural Protected Areas (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas), Government of Mexico. December 2013. Accessed 17 November 2021.
  2. Solórzano, José (June 24, 2022). "Paso de Cortés: historia y qué hacer en Amecameca". Grupo Milenio (in Spanish). Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  3. "Anuncian reapertura del Parque Nacional Izta-Popo". La Jornada (in Spanish). March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  4. Portillo, José López (1992). They are Coming--: The Conquest of Mexico. University of North Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-929398-35-8. Retrieved March 22, 2026.

19°05′12″N 98°38′49″W / 19.0867°N 98.64694°W / 19.0867; -98.64694