Popocatépetl

Monday, 20th June 2005 by

Here is an absolutely beautiful image of Popocatépetl, an active volcano near Mexico City, whose name means 'Smoking Mountain'. It is an enormous volcano, standing at 5,452 metres, making it the second highest peak in Mexico after another volcano, Pico de Orizaba (5,610m).

There's a good Aztec myth surrounding Popocatépetl too. From Wikipedia:

Popocatépetl was a warrior who loved Iztaccíhuatl. Iztaccíhuatl's father sent him to war in Oaxaca, promising him his daughter as his wife if he returned (which Iztaccíhuatl father presumed he would not). Iztaccíhuatl was told her lover was dead and she died of grief. When he returned, he in turn died of grief over losing her. The gods covered them with snow and changed them into mountains. Iztaccíhuatl's mountain was called "Sleeping Woman" because it bears a resemblance to a woman laying on her back. He became the volcano Popocatépetl, raining fire on Earth in blind rage at the loss of his beloved.

There's also a map on Wikipedia of the major volcanoes of Mexico.

Popocatepetl

Thanks to Freddy M and Saul.