Written by Amanda Olson.

For those that desire a breathtaking view that marvels the Grand Canyon, visit Barranca del Cobre! Barranca del Cobre translated to English means the gorges of copper, or copper canyon (Kerasote 2000). This canyon, located in Chihuahua Mexico is in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range and is seven times larger in surface area than the Grand Canyon, creating a greater depth in places as well. It is comprised of twenty individual canyons that were dissected by six major rivers (Smith 2008). The original rock that makes Copper Canyon is comprised of sedimentary rock that was deposited over 100 million years ago, and a volcanic cap. These rocks contain mines of silver, gold, and copper (Gajdusek1953).

The canyon, which naturally has varying levels of elevation, also contains numerous types of vegetation and animals coinciding with it. The rim of the canyon is home to coniferous species, and the middle has oak and mesquite that gives way to a subtropical riparian forest that contains sycamore (Smith 2008). Many animals that reside there are endemic, which means the species is restricted to a special area and evolved there (Van Dyke 2008).

One important aspect of this canyon is the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway, made in 1961, built to boost tourism and access to the canyon. The twelve hour ride from start to finish passes by the many rivers, waterfalls, thermal springs, and caves located throughout the canyon (Fisher 2001).

To keep the natural wonder intact while inviting a higher amount of tourism, Mexico’s federal tourism-development agency has a 500 million dollar plan to develop Copper Canyon into an ecotourism spot (Kerasote 2000). This ecotourism is important, because if done wrong, increased tourism without looking at the nature could harm Barranca del Cobre. Copper Canyon is starting to suffer from unrestricted development and pollution even though outside influences have been arriving slowly. For example, in the Urique Canyon, all of the roads are unpaved, water and sewage is only offered in some places, and public electricity is limited (Smith 2008). This ecotourism could help support the native population, including Tarahumara Indians, plants and animals that call Barranca del Cobre home (Kerasote 2000).




Want to Learn More?

Fisher, R. D. 2001. Mexico’s Copper Canyon. Sunracer Publications, Tucson, Arizona.

Gajdusek, D. C. 1953. The Sierra Tarahumara. Geographical Review 43 (1) : 15-38.

Kerasote, T. 2009. Trekking copper canyon. Audubon 102(5): 89.

Smith, J. 2008. Barranca del Cobre- north America’s other majestic canyon. FOCUS on Geography 51 (3) : 1-10.

Van Dyke, F. 2008. Conservation biology foundations, concepts, applications. 2nd ed. Springer Science and Business Media, United States.

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This page was created from an environmental education writing project generated in the Fall 2009 Bio245 Conservation Biology class. Content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Gustavus Adolphus College.

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