The country is dotted with volcanoes, many still active, which form some of its highest mountains. They were named by the indigenous inhabitants before the Spanish arrived. These are the highest mountains of Mexico:

• Citlaltépetl "mountain of the stars",   5,700 m
• Popocatépetl "smoking mountain",  5,452 m
• Iztaccíhuatl "sleeping woman",         5,286 m

All these mountains are permanently snowcapped and offer interesting challenges to mountain climbers. Unfortunately, due to the rugged nature of these peaks there are no winter sport facilities available in Mexico. Some of the volcanoes and the land that surrounds them have been designated National Parks.

One of the most famous volcanoes in the world can be found in the Mexican state of Michoacán. This is the volcano Paricutín . In 1943, a farmer was ploughing his field when he heard a rumbling under his feet, and smoke started coming out of holes in the ploughed soil.

Within six days, the volcano had grown to over 500 feet in height, and had covered two villages, leaving only the towers of a church in view. It later grew to over 1500 feet in height. Scientists from around the world rushed to Mexico for the opportunity to witness the birth of a new volcano.