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Mexico (State of Mexico, Morelos, Puebla) Elevation 5,426m

Popocatépetl is a conical stratovolcano, and because its appearance resembles Mount Fuji, it is sometimes called Mexican Fuji by people of Japanese descent and Japanese people. Additionally, the area around this mountain is widely known among UFO researchers and others as one of the major regions in Mexico where a large number of unidentified flying objects have been sighted.

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Popocatépetl is a stratovolcano that straddles the borders of the states of Puebla, State of Mexico, and Morelos in Mexico, with an elevation of 5,426 meters. It is the second-highest peak in Mexico, following Pico de Orizaba, and boasts a beautiful conical form. Its name means "Smoking Mountain" in Nahuatl, the indigenous language of the region, and true to its name, it frequently emits plumes of smoke from its summit crater, indicating that it is an active volcano. Its summit is capped with permanent snow, and because it is located a relatively close distance, about 70 kilometers southeast of the capital, Mexico City, its presence is significant, making it an important geographical feature for the surrounding area.

History of Volcanic Activity

Popocatépetl is known as one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico, with records of approximately 30 eruptions throughout recorded history. Especially since the arrival of the Spanish, more than 15 major eruptions have been recorded since the first confirmed eruption in the 16th century. In recent history, the eruption has been continuous since 1993, with small to moderate eruptions occurring every few years. A relatively large eruption occurred in 2000, which led to the evacuation of about 50,000 residents in the surrounding area. Intermittent eruptive activity has been observed since then, sometimes causing flight cancellations at nearby international airports due to the spewing of volcanic ash and steam or the observation of volcanic earthquakes. The Mexican government maintains a strict monitoring system for this active volcano and issues evacuation advisories and warnings to residents as appropriate.

Natural Environment and Cultural Heritage

Popocatépetl and its surrounding area, due to their natural richness, are designated as the Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl National Park, along with Iztaccíhuatl. This region is located near the boundary between two biogeographic realms, the Nearctic and the Neotropical, and features diverse vegetation, including pine and oyamel fir forests, and alpine grasslands. It was also designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010, ensuring its natural environment is protected.

The area is also culturally significant, with monasteries built by Catholic friars in the early 16th century dotting the slopes of Popocatépetl. These monasteries were constructed for the purpose of Christianizing the indigenous people and feature distinctive architectural styles, such as a fortress-like exterior, atriums, and murals. These "Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatépetl" were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Cultural Heritage) in 1994, serving as a valuable legacy that conveys the history and culture of Mexico's early colonial period.

The Aspect as Mexican Fuji

Due to its well-formed, beautiful conical shape, the permanent snow covering its summit, and its status as the second-highest peak in Mexico, Popocatépetl is often described as "Mexican Fuji." It forms a twin volcano with Iztaccíhuatl to the north, and a romantic legend in Nahuatl tells the story of Popocatépetl representing the man and Iztaccíhuatl the woman. In this way, Popocatépetl plays an important role as a symbolic presence in the nature, history, and culture of Mexico.