page_title: Hierve el Agua
section_title: Location
hierarchical_section_title: Hierve el Agua / Location
caption_attribution_description: English: Edge of pool area overlooking the Hierve el Agua valley in Oaxaca, Mexico
context_page_description: Hierve el Agua is a set of natural rock formations in the Mexican state of Oaxaca that resemble cascades of water. The site is located about 70 km east of Oaxaca city, past Mitla, in the municipality of San Lorenzo Albarradas, with a narrow, winding unpaved road leading to the site. The site consists of two rock shelves or cliffs which rise between fifty and ninety metres from the valley below, from which extend nearly white rock formations which look like waterfalls. These formations are created by fresh water springs, whose water is over-saturated with calcium carbonate and other minerals. As the water scurries over the cliffs, the excess minerals are deposited, much in the same manner that stalactites are formed in caves. One of the cliffs, called the "cascada chica" or the Amphitheatre, contains two large artificial pools for swimming as well as a number of small natural pools. One of the artificial pools is very near the edge of the cliff.
context_section_description: The site is located in a very isolated region with rough terrain, dominated principally by holm oak forest, cactus and other semi desert vegetation.  The "waterfalls" or rock formations are on cliffs of mountains that rise abruptly from the narrow valley floor below. It is located in ethnic Mixe territory, with the two closest and most populous communities being San Lorenzo Albarradas and San Isidro Roaguia with populations of 1403 and 320 respectively (2005). The springs that produce the rock formations are one of the few water sources in the area.
caption: Looking out over the valley
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