Guerrero Geography

Located on the Pacific coast, the state of Guerrero extends through an area of 63,794 sq. kilometers and enjoys 485 kilometers of coasts. It also contains the Ixtapa, Apies, Islas Blancas, Pajaros, Cabalos and La Roqueta islands within its jurisdiction, as well as the islets Farallon del Obispo, Morro, Frailes Blancos and Isolte de San Gabriel.

It borders the Pacific Ocean on the south; and the states of Michoacan to the northwest, Mexico and Morelos to the north, and Puebla and Oaxaca to the east.

It is crossed through the whole length of its territory by the mountain range known as the southern Sierra Madre, which evidently has a strong effect on the states physical characteristics and features. In the same way, the volcanic system known as the Eje Volcanico contains the Sultepec, Zacualpan and Taxco sierras, were minerals like gold, iron, lead and silver abound. The main peaks appearing in the state horizon include the Cerros Tiotepec at an altitude of 3,550 meters, Tlacotepec at 3,320, Zacatonal at 3,300 , Pelon and Piedra Ancha both at 3,100, Baul at 3,060, and cerro El Naranjo at 3,000 meters over sea level.

In terms of hydrology, Guerrero is home to numerous rivers and lagoons. The Balsas, Nexapa, Amacuzac, Cuetzala, Cocula Tepecoacuilco and Huitzuco rivers wash the northern slope, defined by the crossing of the southern Sierra Madre range; while the southern slope is crossed by the Union, Ixtapa, Jeronimito, Tecpan, San Luis, Petatlan and Coyuquilla rivers, among others. Regarding still bodies of water, four lagoons named the Potosí, Nusco, Coyuca and Mitla, separated from the Pacific Oceanby the so-called "coastal cord", can be found along the shores. Not to forget of course the two great tourist bays, Acapulco and Ixtapa.

An exuberant vegetation consisting of fig trees and silk-cotton tress growswithin a tropical, hot and rainy climate along the coasts and in the low areas; while the high conifer forests include pine, ocote pine and oak species within a more temperateclimate. On the other hand, heavy rains in the state fall from June through September, and the main animal species residing in the area include the boa, eagle, quail, squirrel, mountain lion, coyote, wild boar, badger and deer; while the open sea is usually inhabited by tortoise, dogfish, tuna and gray mullet.