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Somoto Canyon declared National Monument

ViaNica.com | Dec 1, 2006

On Wednesday (November 29), during the parliamentary session of the National Assembly, the Somoto Canyon has been declared a protected area within the category of National Monument. This impressive geological formation is located in the northern area of the country and it was not until 2004 that it enjoys public attention.

The canyon can be found 13 kilometers west of the town of Somoto, in the department of Madriz. Despite its enormous tourist potential the site remained unexplored until two years ago when a group of scientists from Czech Republic and Nicaragua 'discovered' the canyon.

As a National Monument the Somoto Canyon encompasses an area of 170.31 hectares (1.7 square kilometers), according to the official declaration. The document also points out that the structure was formed between 5 and 13 million years ago during the Miocene period.