Sierra Negra

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This article is about the mountain in Mexico. For the volcano in the Galapagos islands, see Sierra Negra (Galapagos).
Sierra Negra

Pico de Orizaba and Sierra Negra viewed from the west, near Ciudad Serdán
Elevation 4,640 metres (15,223 feet)
Location Puebla, Mexico
Prominence 500 m (1,640 ft)
Coordinates 18°59′N 97°19′W / 18.983, -97.317Coordinates: 18°59′N 97°19′W / 18.983, -97.317
Type Stratovolcano
Volcanic arc/belt Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Sierra Negra (also, and perhaps more properly, called Cerro La Negra) is a companion peak of Mexico's highest mountain, the Pico de Orizaba. At 4,640 m (15,220 ft) above sea level (depending on which source one consults) it is one of Mexico's highest peaks, perhaps even the fourth highest. However, because it is overshadowed by its much higher companion it is not as well known as, for instance, the slightly lower Matlalcueitl, and is often not included in lists of Mexico's mountains.

The summit of Sierra Negra is the site for one of the world's premier astronomical instruments, the Large Millimeter Telescope. The service road for this project is claimed to be the highest road in North America. A part of the telescope facility is visible as a white dot in the first picture below and more clearly in the second picture.

The name Sierra Negra is confusing, because a 'Sierra' is usually a mountain range rather than a single peak, and there is a Sierra often called the Sierra Negra which lies to the south of this peak, along the border of the states of Puebla and Veracruz. However, it is the name that occurs on the official INEGI maps and is the one that is most commonly used by English speakers to refer to the mountain. Speakers of Orizaba Nahuatl call the peak Istaktepetl ikni 'The Brother (or Sister) of the White Mountain' (the Pico de Orizaba being, of course, the White Mountain).

Sierra Negra and Pico de Orizaba viewed from the south, near Esperanza
Sierra Negra and Pico de Orizaba viewed from the south, near Esperanza
Sierra Negra and Pico de Orizaba viewed from the south
Sierra Negra and Pico de Orizaba viewed from the south


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