Citlaltepetl Mountains

Citlaltépetl, the “Star Mountain”, rises above the eastern edge of the Mexican highlands. Also known as Pico de Orizaba, it is the highest mountain in Mexico, its volcanic cone visible across the plains and valleys below. The volcano erupted repeatedly during the colonial period; reports record ash, explosions and lava in the middle of the sixteenth century. Snow on its upper slopes distinguishes the peak from the warmer lands toward the Gulf coast.