# Ajusco > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ajusco > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ajusco.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajusco > Source revision: 1340229647 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Volcano in Mexico City, Mexico Ajusco Ajusco, view from UNAM Highest point Elevation 3,930 m (12,890 ft)[1] Coordinates 19°12′27″N 99°15′29″W / 19.20750°N 99.25806°W / 19.20750; -99.25806 Geography Ajusco Show map of Mexico Ajusco Show map of State of Mexico Parent range Sierra de Ajusco-Chichinauhtzin Geology Rock age Pliocene-Pleistocene Mountain type Lava dome volcano Volcanic belt Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt Climbing Easiest route Trail[2] **Ajusco**[3] is a 3,930 m (12,894 ft) [lava dome](/source/Lava_dome)[4] [volcano](/source/Volcano) located just south of [Mexico City](/source/Mexico_City), Mexico, in the [Tlalpan](/source/Tlalpan) borough of the city. It is the highest point in the city. ## Etymology Ajusco is a [Náhuatl](/source/N%C3%A1huatl) word variously translated as "source of waters" or "watered grove", and the [Lerma River](/source/Lerma_River) and [Balsas River](/source/Balsas_River) draw some of their source waters from this area. Also, the flow from all of the remaining strong springs in the area adjacent to the peak are captured to augment Mexico City's water supply. ## Geology Ajusco is a lava dome complex of [Pliocene](/source/Pliocene)-[Pleistocene](/source/Pleistocene) age, surrounded by [block and ash flow](/source/Block_and_ash_flow) deposits.[4] Ajusco is part of the mountain chain of volcanic origin known as [Sierra de Ajusco-Chichinauhtzin](/source/Sierra_de_Ajusco-Chichinauhtzin), among which [Xitle](/source/Xitle) (3,128 m or 10,262 ft), Tláloc (3,690 m or 12,106 ft), Pelado (3,620 m or 11,877 ft), Cuautzin (3,510 m or 11,516 ft) and Chichinautzin (3,470 m or 11,385 ft) stand out. This range is part of the [Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt](/source/Trans-Mexican_Volcanic_Belt) which crosses central Mexico and contains the country's highest peaks. ## Ecology Parts of this range account for about half of the area of the [Mexican Federal District](/source/Mexican_Federal_District), the rest of which is occupied by Mexico City. The area is important for conservation of local ecosystems. In its oak, pine and fir forests there are unique endemic species like the [teporingo](/source/Teporingo) rabbit and the [volcano mouse](/source/Mexican_volcano_mouse). ## Sites of interest Snow-covered Ajusco volcano as seen from Colonia Narvarte in Mexico City Paisaje del Ajuscos. (Tlalpan, Mexico City) The area around the peak is a popular destination for residents of Mexico City and tourists, with activities such mountain biking, horseback riding, motorcycling, hiking and climbing. The area is one of the few around Mexico City where it may snow in the winter. This mountain offers views over the Valley of Mexico (weather and pollution permitting), including the city and its skyscrapers, [Popocatepetl](/source/Popocatepetl), [Iztaccihuatl](/source/Iztaccihuatl) and [Nevado de Toluca](/source/Nevado_de_Toluca) volcanoes, and parts of the Valley of [Cuernavaca](/source/Cuernavaca). The Ajusco area is also home to [Six Flags México](/source/Six_Flags_M%C3%A9xico) (the largest amusement park in Latin America), the [TV Azteca](/source/TV_Azteca) television network, the [National Pedagogic University](/source/National_Pedagogic_University_(Mexico)), the [UNAM](/source/UNAM) radio transmission center, the [Fondo de Cultura Económica](/source/Fondo_de_Cultura_Econ%C3%B3mica) and [El Colegio de México](/source/El_Colegio_de_M%C3%A9xico). Atop the volcano is a pre-Hispanic site where artifacts have been discovered. ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-EPDF-INEGI_1-0)** ["Elevaciones principales - Distrito Federal"](https://web.archive.org/web/20041017044721/http://mapserver.inegi.gob.mx/geografia/espanol/estados/df/elevaciones.cfm). Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática. Archived from [the original](http://mapserver.inegi.gob.mx/geografia/espanol/estados/df/elevaciones.cfm) on 2004-10-17. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Ajusco"](https://www.summitpost.org/page/152054). *SummitPost.org*. Retrieved 2010-11-24. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_3-0)** Rocky., Updike, John. Schwartz, Bruce R. Murray, Donald M. (Donald Morison), 1924-2006. Hayes, Sean, 1970- Oglesby, Randy. Smart, Amy, 1976- Guillory, Jeremy. Sheridan, Liz. Brassard, Denise. Goetsch, Stephen. Davis (2004), [*A & P*](https://worldcat.org/oclc/57193994), Films for the Humanities & Sciences, [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [57193994](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/57193994), retrieved 2023-03-19{{[citation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Citation)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list)) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_numeric_names:_authors_list)) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GVP_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GVP_4-1) ["Chichinautzin"](https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=341080). *[Global Volcanism Program](/source/Global_Volcanism_Program)*. [Smithsonian Institution](/source/Smithsonian_Institution). Retrieved 2010-11-24. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Ajusco](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ajusco). - [Chichinautzin volcano](http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcano-tours/volcanoes/mexico/chichinautzin/) - ["Cerro Ajusco, Mexico"](http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=8027). *Peakbagger.com*. Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Israel Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ajusco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajusco) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajusco?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.