In Aztec mythology, Iztaccíhuatl was a princess who fell in love with one of her father's warriors, Popocatépetl. The emperor sent Popocatépetl to war in Oaxaca, promising him Iztaccíhuatl as his wife when he returned (which Iztaccíhuatl's father presumed he would not). Iztaccíhuatl was falsely told Popocatépetl had died in battle, and believing the news, she died of grief. When Popocatépetl returned to find his love dead, he took her body to a spot outside Tenochtitlan and kneeled by her grave. The gods covered them with snow and changed them into mountains. Iztaccíhuatl's mountain is called "White Woman" (from the nahuatl iztac "white" and cihuatl "woman") because it resembles a woman lying on her back, and is often covered with snow. (The peak is sometimes nicknamed La Mujer Dormida ("The Sleeping Woman".) About Popocatépetl became an active volcano, raining fire on Earth in blind rage at the loss of his beloved. The name Popocatépetl comes from the Nahuatl words popōca 'it smokes' and tepētl 'mountain', meaning Smoking Mountain. The volcano is also referred to by Mexicans as El Popo. The alternate nickname Don Goyo comes from the mountain's association in the lore of the region with San Gregorio (St. Gregory), "Goyo" being a nickname-like short form of Gregorio. Iztaccihuatl is usually listed at 5,286 m (17,343 ft). SRTM data and the Mexican national mapping survey assert that a range of 5,220 to 5,230 m (17,130 to 17,160 ft) is more accurate. The Global Volcanism Program cites 5,230 m (17,160 ft). Popocatépetl according to paleomagnetic studies, the volcano is about 730,000 years old. The elevation at the peak is 5,450 m (17,880 ft). The volcano is cone shaped with a diameter of 25 km (16 mi) at its base. The crater is elliptical with an orientation northeast-southwest. The walls of the crater vary from 600 to 840 m (1,970 to 2,760 ft) in height. Popocatépetl is currently active after being dormant for about half of last century. In 1991 the volcano's activity increased and since 1993 smoke can be seen constantly emanating from the crater.

You get excellent views of the snow-clad volcanic peaks of Popocatépetl (5452m) and Ixtaccíhuatl (5285m) from almost anywhere west of the capital, and viewing from afar is all most people do these days. “Popo” has been rumbling and fuming away since September 1994. While the area within a two-kilometre radius of Popo still remains closed to the public, the rest of the Parque Nacional de Volcanes (daily 7am–10pm), which surrounds both volcanoes, is open for details on the latest situation, contact the park office in Amecameca at Plaza de la Constitución 9, In order to enter the park you will need to fill out and submit a formal request, using a form which can be found on the website. Even a visit to just the Paso de Cortés the 3800-metre-high pass between the volcanoes is a memorable experience, with the two giants rising high above you on either side. “Popo” and “Ixta”, as the volcanoes are affectionately known, are the nation’s second and third highest peaks (after the 5700m Pico de Orizaba). Their full names come from an Aztec Romeo-and-Juliet-style legend. From the west, Ixta does somewhat resemble a reclining female form and the various parts of the mountain are named accordingly the feet, the knees, the belly, the breast and so on. Zoquiapan Izta-Popo National Park is one of the oldest protected areas in Mexico. It was created in 1935 in order to protect the mountains that form the Sierra Nevada in the eastern center of the Transverse Volcanic Axis, and declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Volcanoes in 2010. Its geographical location in the center of the macro region most populous nation, make it invaluable for environmental services that it provides, especially the provision of water. It has a volcanic landscape of great beauty and tourist value, which highlights the Popocatepetl, one of the most impressive active volcanoes on the planet; and forests that are home to a variety of flora and fauna specially adapted to the environment. Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, second and third highest peaks in the country, are the quintessential icons of Mexican natural landscape.

This national park is an ideal place for nature lovers. Mountaineers, with the necessary preparation, may advance their summits, while visitors can walk unskilled mid-mountain or hiking, mountain biking, camping, or enjoy a picnic in the company of family or the friends. On clear days, from Paso de Cortes you can be seen in the east, Pico de Orizaba, Malinche and valleys of Puebla and Tlaxcala; and in the west, the Nevado de Toluca, the Sierra de las Cruces and the Great Basin of Mexico. Enjoy the beautiful scenery offered by the national park and enjoy the clean air and mountain cold enlivens the body and enriches the spirit. We invite you to visit. One of the main attractions of the National Park is the ascent to the summit of Iztaccihuatl (5,280msnm) of Tlaloc (4,120msnm) and Telapón (4,060 meters), as from 1994, due to the eruptive activity of Popocatepetl is FORBIDDEN all rise to the volcano. To scale these peaks is necessary to have the right equipment and if its your first time, climbing group and preferably with the assistance of a guide that can be found on the Internet looking for mountain guides. If you want to climb the Iztaccihuatl you must get to Paso de Cortes and from there drive along the dirt road (9 km), or walk along the alpine trail (7 km) to La Joyita place that has parking, dry toilets and typical food only weekends. 700 m away is La Joya (3,900 m) which is the point from which you climb to the Iztaccihuatl at its southern portion called "feet", the most famous route to the "chest", which is the summit. To raise the Tlaloc and Telapón must reach Zoquiapan area or Llano Grande is located at 3,000 meters, at km 53 of the Mexico-Puebla highway; this site has bathrooms and food. All responsibility is for the mountain climber. You remember that you are in a protected area, so it is forbidden to take any natural element: plants, animals, sand or stones as well as abandoning their pets or littering. Your waste back with you and if you find one in your way, please pick it up and deposit it in containers that are in public use areas. Camping is an ideal alternative to physical and mental recreation. Camping is stopped, overnight and temporarily live in the countryside, in touch with nature. This protected area offers you the opportunity to camp and enjoy the silence of the mountains, nights full of stars, with landscapes of great scenic beauty, magnificent sunrises and sunsets; all of which will give you a life experience you will always remember. You can camp throughout the year, but usually torrential rains from May to October, so the camps are not recommended during that season. The height that makes this park is that the weather is cold or very cold, especially at night, so tent, sleeping bag and protective clothing is required and caloric foods. You can camp in public areas: Paso de Cortes, La Joyita, La Joya and Llano Grande; when filling your check in, ask the rangers you indicate where those sites are. If you require them camping out in the mountains, it is important that you indicate to the rangers the site that will install your camp. Camping is not permitted in areas that are undergoing restoration.

In the forties Mexico initiated a period of rapid demographic, urban and industrial growth that brings about a decline in conservation. Natural resources are not only as raw material to supply the industry but are becoming industrialized; World War II favored this view. Thus, with the intention of boosting the paper industry in the country, February 11, 1948, President Miguel Alemán issued a decree in favor of San Rafael paper factory to establish an Industrial Unit Logging in the region, for which the boundaries of the national park are modified by reducing its surface in less than half the original territory (39,820 hectares). On June 22, 2010 during the meeting of the International Coordinating Council of the Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB) of UNESCO, is protected as designated Biosphere Reserve Volcanoes area, which covers an area of 171.774 hectares (including the transition zone). The region of the volcanoes are part of what was a vast cultural region in ancient times. The first inhabitants established called the Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Ahualco or Ahualulco (crowned instead of water), which assumed that dwelt tutelary genius of Anahuac, where culminate the sacred mountains: the Iztactepetl (White Mountain) and Xalliquehuac (rising sand). The rich forests of both slopes of the Sierra provided, for millennia, the provision for groups of hunters, gatherers and fishermen began 22,000 years ago to populate the region in communities of 100 to 200 individuals. Over time, around the year 3000 BC, some of these communities took part in the domestication and distribution of plants such as corn, beans, amaranth, chili and squash, the Mesoamerican staples of diet; thus becoming sedentary peoples. It was not until 1100 BC when villages with more than a thousand people were developed. Tlaloc: The lowlands of the foothills were the favorite of the human groups during the Formative Horizon (1500 BC to 100 AD.); the region suffered some neglect during the Classic Period (100 AD to 650 AD), especially on the western side, it was later widely inhabited since the Late Horizon until the arrival of the Spaniards. In these mountains Hispanic cultures, particularly the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl Tlaloc were worshiped as deities authentic and dedicated them to the water deities rites were held. In the hilltop Tlaloc is the most prominent archaeological site of High Mountain in Mexico, it is a shrine documented quoted Duran and Sahagun, Torquemada and Clavijero among others; this site a famous celebration which was attended Aztec rulers was performed. Chalchiuhtlicue: The indigenous worldview established a sacred relationship with nature in the hills, mountains and volcanoes representing the tlaloques, considered the creators of clouds, rain, hail and lightning, and Tlaloc servers. These powerful beings dwelling in the Tlalocan, conceived as an earthly paradise, a place where water prevailing good weather and food in abundance. Here also lived Chalchiuhtlicue, the goddess of water and sister tlaloques symbolizing the female part of Tlaloc. The presence of prehistoric peoples is demonstrated by the large number of place names in indigenous languages that exist in the region. Examples are that 12 of the 14 municipalities that are part of the protected area have Nahuatl name: Texcoco (in the cliffs jarilla); Ixtapaluca (where the salt gets wet); Chalco (on the edge of the lake); Tlalmanalco (rather than flat or level ground); Amecameca (having dress amate); Atlautla (where the cliffs or along the water abound owner); Ecatzingo (site devoted to the wind); Tlahuapan (in the land of oaks); Chiautzingo (in small marsh or swamp); Huejotzingo (saucito); Tochimilco (in the sowing of the rabbits) and Tetela (where there are many stones or scree). As the main elevations of the National Park: Popocatepetl (hill that smokes), Iztaccíhuatl (white woman) and Tlaloc (god related to rain or water giver of God).

In 1519 Hernán Cortés and his men crossed the Sierra Nevada through a valley that is in the middle of the two volcanoes, and from there he first saw the Valley of Anahuac. This site formerly Tlamacaxco (Step Up), now known as Paso de Cortes. With the arrival of the Spaniards to America dynamics of indigenous development is lost and a transformation of society with new forms of production which among other things led to the depletion of the natural resources and the dismantling of the ways indigenous production starts. Indian Church: After the bloody step of the first conquerors of the sixteenth century evangelizing missions they are established. In Amecameca he lived and preached Fray Martin de Valencia, considered the creator of the Indian Church as it was sent by the Spanish crown in front of the 12 Franciscan priests who brought the charge of starting the evangelization in the New Spain. In 1994 UNESCO declared World Heritage site to monasteries located on the slopes of Popocatepetl, traces of those early missionaries who introduced Christianity to the indigenous populations. 1530, Hernán Cortés, other commissioners and officials were reaping wheat in the region and developed the sheep and mules. During colonial lands were divided into farms that got to reach great power and magnificence as Hacienda del Molino de las Flores; the Chapingo, in Texcoco; Acuautla of San Francisco; the Ayotla in Ixtapaluca; Chiautla of San Antonio, built in the sixteenth century; and San Miguel Contla in San Salvador El Verde. Flocks brought by Europeans were released for plains and mountains penetrate developing a precarious and disorderly livestock whose effects were felt early on areas of forest and grassland vegetation. Besides livestock (mainly cattle and sheep), the Spanish brought many fruit seeds as pear, peach, plum or walnut soon took root in these lands. Juana Inez de Asbaje: In the region of volcanoes they were born two of the brightest minds of colonial Mexico. In 1648, in the small town of San Miguel Nepantla the foot of Popocatepetl born Ines Ramirez, better known as Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, and the estate of Panoaya, where he spent part of his childhood, he learned to read the Castilian and talk the Nahuatl language; there he composed his first work dedicated to the Lord of Sacromonte. Jose Antonio de Alzate: And Ozumba, in 1738, was born Jose Antonio Alzate who from an early age showed a penchant for science, conducted one of the first ascents of the Iztaccihuatl for scientific observation, and eventually met a large and famous library included collections of natural sciences, archeology and astronomical instruments; the most lasting tribute to his memory was the creation of the Antonio Alzate Scientific Society in 1884, which in 1935 became the National Academy of Sciences of Mexico. In the early nineteenth century, Baron Alexander von Humboldt trigonometrically calculated the height of Popocatepetl, went up to the crater to measure the perimeter and was the first to make known the riches which contained sulfur mines inside. This finding led to that after unsuccessful attempts were made to develop uses of sulfur to benefit the nascent domestic industry. Bin San Rafael: The regions of Chalco-Amecameca and Puebla-Tlaxcala were mainstays of the first stage of industrialization of the country since the mid-nineteenth century, with factories such as textile and paper. They are famous textile factories and Atlixco Ayotla and trash San Rafael, all large consumers of water and wood for operation. In 1948 the national park boundaries were changed, the altitude of 3,000 meters where was set to 3,600 meters, in order to create a Forest Exploitation Unit to supply wood to the paper mill San Rafael; Unit ceased in 1992, but the protected area did not regain its original surface. At present, the area of Chalco and Ixtapaluca is one of the areas receiving migrants, as well as establishment of maquiladora industry, so that population growth leads to the rapid incorporation into the urban area representing the metropolitan area Mexico City, bringing a shift from the old traditions and knowledge, a new popular knowledge of the new inhabitants.

The rich valleys surrounding these mountains were the stand where indigenous people domesticated plants like corn, squash, beans, chili and amaranth at the dawn of Mesoamerican agriculture; Foods that today are still the livelihood of the local diet. From then until now, the daily life of the inhabitants of this region is closely related to systematic and repeated observation of nature, which allows, or not, be bountiful harvests and therefore communities persist. The empirically accumulated and passed down from generation to generation, knowledge enables farmers to monitor meteorological phenomena and thus guide the work of the field. The annual festival cycle and behavior of communities are linked to Catholic practices, showing a background that the league with an ancient past that, despite the drastic changes taking place in today's world, maintaining its essence. This cycle is closely linked to agricultural cycles. Thus we find that in many places the graniceros continue to ceremonies to pray for rain in the dry season and gratitude for the rains when crops are raised; Ceremonies are also held to bless the corn kernels and promote agriculture; and there are festivals where the facades of temples with seeds or with flowers decorate the festivities. Secular festivities are also related to production that gives the earth there is a Fair Walnut in Amecameca, one in Cocotitlán Corn Fair Fair Capulin and in Atlautla that bring producers and consumers in the area. For the inhabitants of the region, the mountains are a vital source of life and the natural environment generously provides vital resources for subsistence and social reproduction. It is common for villagers placed offerings in water-related sites such as caves, springs or streams; in these cookies, food, flowers, drinks, candy, candles and singing to please chanates, nahuaque or tiochis inhabiting water sources and for it to continue watering the fields offered. Crosses blue (color that relates to the water), many of which were previously blessed in the temples are also placed. The people of this region has a great knowledge about the use of plants and wild mushrooms that forests provide. A variety of fungi and quelites given in abundance during the rainy season and are characteristic of the regional cuisine is eaten. Many medicinal plants such as horsetail or carricillo, which grows on the banks of the rivers are also used; on the wooded slopes are arnica, flower ocote and saithe; in the plains mullein, mugwort, the alcáncer and grass Toad; They not lacking in all EU markets. In addition there are plants such as creosote bush or carricillo with which crafts and ritual objects are made. The forest also provides the wood with which in numerous households food is prepared daily. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the volcano region is heavily threatened by the emergence of urban life at the expense of the values associated with rural life. Modernity has been characterized by the loss of connection between man and nature, which in this region results in breakdown of the communities where the young quickly forgotten knowledge and customs of their ancestors and not just benefit from the advantages of urban life. The result is a degradation of the environment and therefore the quality of life of people dwells here; Proof of this is the huge amount of contaminated or bad management of waste that accumulate in vacant lots, rivers and ravines of rivers throughout the region. Broadly speaking, we can say that there is a strong rural migration to the EU in these volcaneros peoples, poblano side while the mexiquense side the explosive growth of urban sprawl is becoming dormitory towns populations shortly before kept a daily link with his people. In both cases, community life is broken or dismantled affected social cohesion and well-being of its people.

While Popocatepetl (Cerro that smokes) in Iztaccihuatl (White Woman) are the outstanding image of this national park, the protected area covers an area of 39,820 hectares ranging from the foothills Tlaloc in the north to the slopes Popocatepetl in the southern portion, and comprises the forested area Zoquiapan at some time considered other national park. These mountains were considered sacred by the ancient Mexicans, since they came from the water necessary for life. The cult of Tlaloc (god of rain) and Chalchihuitlicue (goddess of water flowing), was at its best in this area to the arrival of Europeans in the fifteenth century. In addition to the water supply, the extension of these forests is also key to capture carbon dioxide, generating oxygen and climate regulation: they are real lungs of the Midwest. This region is classified as an area of importance for the conservation of birds and priority region for conservation in Mexico because of its high ecosystem diversity; its role as a biological corridor; the presence of endemic species; its important role as a center of origin and natural diversification and domestication center or maintenance of useful species. To this biologically rich magnificence of a landscape that has captivated artists for generations. In the early twentieth century, Mexico is beginning to feel the effects of the loss of their forests. At that time, centuries of agriculture and mining, the nascent industrial development demanded a rapid consumption of resources and the expansion of the railroad, had caused extensive deforestation in the country which suggested to some that to continue that dynamic soon missing wood to supply industry; while for others, it was undisputed that the lack of trees caused both droughts and frequent floods in much of the territory, especially in the central region, long considered the breadbasket of Mexico. The mountainous nature of the country could make clear to anyone how hillsides went running out of trees, soil eroded and diminished water flows. In response, Miguel Angel de Quevedo, one of the greatest Mexican conservationists, pursuing a policy of defense of the forests, whose central axis conservation heads basin which supplied the most populated regions of the country. Thus, in 1933 he declared as protective forest area the land situated on the slopes and plains that are part of the Great Basin of Mexico, this is the first history of environmental protection in this region. Subsequently, on 8 November 1935 President Lazaro Cardenas declared as the first national park administration (third in the country), the Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl. Miguel Angel de Quevedo was the architect of that declaration. It was considered for it that these mountains "are undoubtedly the most tremendous and significant for their profiles and immediate situation each other, in the main center most populous republic, where it matters at all costs protect soil degradation maintaining or restoring forests in perfect condition to guarantee the good climate of the cities. " The initiative was aimed at the protection of hydrographic basins related to the high valleys of Mexico, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Morelos; soil conservation, forest vegetation and flora and "comarcanas" fauna. The aim was to avoid hydrological alterations, prevent negative torrential rains for agriculture and towns of the valley, and changes in climate regime; in addition to preserving the natural beauty of the area and promote its significant tourism potential. Shortly afterwards, doing studies to delineate the park area, was confirmed by a presidential decree on March 13, 1937, the forest land from the estates of Zoquiapan, Ixtlahuacan and Rio Frio had been included within it, so They should go to the Forest Department of Fish and Game, responsible for the administration of the national park. Both decrees determined that the protected area was created from the 3,000 meters, without specifying the surface. Subsequent studies calculated that this surface corresponded to 89,800 hectares.