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May 23
2012

Endemic Animals of Cozumel

Posted by katinka van walen in Wildlife , ecology , Birding , bird watching

katinka van walen

 

Cozumel is home to many endemic animal species

The Island of Cozumel has been known to be a paradise for tourist but you may not know that it is home to many endemic animal species and some of them are considered critically endangered while some others are on the threatened list. It is considered home to so many mammals, birds and reptiles.

May 18
2012

Cozumel Island, the Island of Swallows

Posted by katinka van walen in Cozumel , Birding , bird watching

katinka van walen

CozuIsla de las golondrinasmel Island is the most populated and the most recognized tourist island and is also the third largest Island in Mexico. 

The name Cozumel was given to this famous island from the Mayan word Cuzam which means swallow and the word Lumil also of Mayan origin which means ‘land’. That is the reason why Cozumel is called the land or Island of Swallows.

May 17
2012

The Endangered Black Catbird of New Mexico

Posted by katinka van walen in Wildlife , ecology , conservation , Birding , bird watching

katinka van walen

 

The Melanoptilaglabrirostris

Black Cat BirdThe Melanoptilaglabrirostris, the bird which is popularly called the black catbird has been declining in population over the past few decades. This is apparently occurring due to the fact that its habitats have been converted to coconut plantations and to the development of tourist resorts. The more construction that occurs, the more of the population gets displaced. As time passes the demise of the Black Catbird is falling to a more rapid decline over recent years. The decline has been moderately rapid these birds' population has been classified as threatened.

 

Apr 27
2012

Chinampas: Floating Gardens of the Aztecs

Posted by katinka van walen in Mexico , history , aztec

katinka van walen

 

Often called "floating gardens," these rectangular plots did not actually float, and were much more than gardens.  The technology to create them was introduced to Mesoamerican cultures in the Valley of Mexico sometime around 1150 AD, and quickly secured their place in history a vital tool of agriculture to support the enormous cities that prospered in that area.  Today, the chinampas are indelibly associated with the indigenous cultures of the region, particularly the Aztecs, who made them an indispensible element of huge urban centres like Tenochtitlan.

 

Apr 27
2012

The Three Phases of Mayan Civilization

Posted by katinka van walen in Mexico , Mayan Ruins

katinka van walen

Mayan Civilization

Pre-Classic period (~2000 BCE – 200 BCE)

The exact date of the Mayan civilization's inception isn't known; the earliest artefacts associated with the early Maya have been carbon-dated to about 2600 BCE, but the first organized settlements probably appeared around 800 years later. These early villages began as simple farming communities, as local tribes developed from wandering foragers into more permanent, sedentary villages. They experimented with agriculture, pottery, and mining for gems; among the artefacts from this period, many clay figurines and bowls remain. Mayan control over the trade of precious stones like jade and obsidian in the highlands of Guatemala would prove an important foothold as the larger Mayan economy developed. Though most of their large buildings and cities were not developed until later, one vital innovation did appear in the Pre-Classic: the Mayan system of hieroglyphic writing, which would enable the Mayans to record their history, and, much later, allow archaeologists to begin decoding it.

 

Apr 26
2012

Tenochtitlan – City of Destiny

Posted by katinka van walen in ruins , Mexico , aztec

katinka van walen

Tenochtitlan Between its founding in 1325 and its fall almost two centuries later, Tenochtitlan – named for the prickly pear plants which grew among the rocks near the site of its construction – was one of the world's most magnificent cities. The capital of the Aztec empire and its most important city, its construction and flourishing represented nothing less than a prophecy come to perfect fruition, and even to the European invaders who helped finally to defeat it, Tenochtitlan was a majestic and undeniably incredible site to behold.  

Apr 26
2012

Gods of Chichen Itza

Posted by katinka van walen in Mexico , mayans , Mayan Ruins , Mayan history , Archaeology News

katinka van walen

The polytheistic Mayans are famous for their pantheon of gods.  As one of the Mayan Kingdom's most powerful and enduring metropolises, and today among of their most-visited relics, the city of Chichen Itza is famous for its pyramids and temples, which pay tribute to many of these gods, although two are represented with special frequency: Chak, the rain god, and Kukulkan, the feathered serpent.

Nov 09
2011

Nature and Adventure in Sian Ka'an Mexico

Posted by Den in Sian Ka'an , Mexico

Den

The biosphere reserve of Sian Ka'an is a widely known non-government and non-profit organization. It is maintained by groups of wildlife activists and conservationists in the Tulum municipality.

The Sian Ka'an reserve itself is located in the Quintana Roo, a Mexican state, but its reputation travels far across the world. As a matter of fact, tourists from all over the world visit the Yucatan Peninsula just to see the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve.

Nov 08
2011

Adventure tourism

Posted by katinka van walen in adventure travel

katinka van walen

People always sought to find new things and new land, see new sights, and discover the undiscovered.
The National Tour Association defines adventure tourism as a tour that is designed around adventure sports. Sports like mountain climbing, hiking, rafting, and similar extreme activities fall into adventure tourism.

The History of Adventure Tourism

The modern form of adventure traveling started several decades ago, back when the first people planned on climbing the Himalayas. Then, in 1970, the very first rafting trips were opened commercially in Ethiopia, attracting tourists from around the world.
As climates and political power changes over time, so does adventure tourism and the travel industry. Back in 1980, floating along the Nile in Egypt and hiking the Mount Ararat were all the rage. The 90s saw to the big change when the interest turned to the Swiss Alps and Thailand. The twenty-first century saw to a bigger change when adventure tourism went over to Central America, the Dominican Republic, and the Costa Rica. Kayaking and trekking were especially popular in the two latter destinations.


adventure travel

Types of Adventure Travel

Oct 27
2011

The Quetzal's Effect on Central America

Posted by katinka van walen in nature , Mexico , guatemala , conservation , Central America , Birding , bird watching

katinka van walen

This small, and largely unheard of bird, loves the relatively low temperatures and humidity offered by the Central American highlands. The Quetzal species has had a massive impact on the Central American people and government. This tiny colorful bird has been thriving in Central America since the times of the ancient Mayans. Here are a few ways this lightweight bird has influenced heavy changes in Central America. The species can also be found in Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela. The small fowl has been battling poachers and natural selection for thousands of years, but the advanced means that are used by man today can’t be matched by the Quetzal’s “live free or die” way of life.

 

The Namesake

The name Quetzal originally comes from the Aztec term in Nahuatl, meaning “large brilliant tail feathers,” which the Resplendent is famous for. The Nahuatl word “quetz” means, literally, “stand up.” This word would often be used in reference of a large plume of standing feathers. In the beginning of the bird’s long history, only the Resplendent was given the name Quetzal, but with time it was discovered that there are 5 other Quetzal species, none of which are doing much better than the Quetzal in terms of numbers.

 

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