cun a San Mateo
Center - Initiatives - Community
cun a project
Cultural environment
Cultural environment
CUNA SAN MATEO
CENTER • INITIATIVES • COMMUNITY
Geography & Climate
The property on which this life project is being realized is located on a gentle mountain slope in the highlands of the southern Sierra Madre (2,380 m above sea level), in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, near the 1000-inhabitant community of San Mateo Rio Hondo.
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The highlands are a mountain range approx. 100 km wide between the central high plateau of Oaxaca to the north and the coastal region of the Pacific that borders on the south. It rises to a height of approx. 3000 m and then drops steeply towards the coast.
From San Mateo you can drive north in about 3.5 hours to the colorful capital Oaxaca of the state of the same name.
In 2.5 hours to the south you can reach the wonderful Pacific coast of Oaxaca with its wonderful beaches, bays, fishing villages and lagoons. The proximity to these tropical coastal areas make this region so attractive.
the mountain forest and its inhabitants
Due to the combination of the location in tropical latitudes, the altitude and the proximity to the coast, a very lush mountain forest has developed in this region with a rich biodiversity in flora and fauna.
The forest in this region consists on the one hand of cedar and pine species and on the other hand of a diverse mixed forest with oak, birch and many other tree species.
The forest in this region consists on the one hand of cedar and pine species and on the other hand of a diverse mixed forest with oak, birch and many other tree species.
These forests are home to countless species of birds, some of which are endemic, and wild animals such as deer, raccoons, badgers, small mammals, reptiles and insect species. For some time now, the mighty mountain lion (puma) has also seemed to be returning to the region.
From a climatic point of view, this region has several special features. Due to the geographic location and the orientation of the valley of San Mateo, there is a microclimate embedded in the great climate.
From a climatic point of view, this region has several peculiarities. Due to the geographic location and the orientation of the San Mateo valley, there is a microclimate embedded in the large-scale climate.
rainy season in the highlands of oaxaca
The climate can basically be divided into two main seasons, namely the rainy season from May to October and the dry season from November to April.
The rainy season is characterized by almost daily, strong, thunderstorm rains, which develop due to the humidity and the warmth over the mountains, sometimes with persistent, intensive rainfall. Even in the rainy season, the sun often shines in the mornings and the climate remains mild.
It is the time of intense plant growth, mushrooms and abundance – and also the time of sowing. The mostly reddish-loamy soil is now easy to move, so earthworks in preparation for any construction work also fall during this time.
the so called "spring" with blossoming and harvest ...
The climatic transition from the rainy season to the dry season usually takes place in October. The rain becomes less frequent and a stable dry high pressure weather situation sets in. This transition period is also known as spring in the region, because the soil, which is still saturated with moisture, and the increasing warmth of the sun lead to immense growth of the plants and many of the countless types of flowers are now in their bloom.
The intense high-altitude solar radiation leads to a major change from January onwards. Grasses and bushland are becoming drier and the land changes color from a rich green to a golden brown. It is now harvest time for many crops. Only trees and various shrubs remain green during this time. They get their moisture from underground watercourses and from the clouds of fog that often appear in the evening.
The drought peaks in March and April before towering cumulus clouds and approaching thunder herald the return of the water and the onset of the rainy season in May.
The temperatures move all year round between 15 ° and 25 ° C during the day, especially in the dry season and on very sunny days, the maximum temperatures can rise to 30 ° C and then drop very quickly to approx. 5 ° C in the evening and at night, very rarely with a slight ground frost in the morning hours.
