By Phyllis Benson
About Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado showcases the cultural past of ancient people and the natural resources of the Colorado Plateau. The park is open all year to visitors. Over 500,000 people visit the park each year.
History
President Theodore Roosevelt established the Mesa Verde National Park in 1906. Mesa Verde is the first national park to protect the archeological structures and works of people.
Size
The park covers 52,000 acres. A designated wilderness area covering 8,500 acres is part of the park.
Archeology
Beginning about 1,400 years ago, ancestral Pueblo people carved and built homes in the sandstone cliffs. Over 600 cliff dwellings and 4,000 other archeological sites are preserved within Mesa Verde boundaries.
Geology
The scenic park on the vast Colorado Plateau is mostly sandstone and shale. Wind and water eroded the landscape over millions of years to create canyons and mesas that are home to plants from prickly-pear cactus to Douglas fir.
Wildlife
According to the National Park Service, the park is home to 74 different mammals, 200 bird species and over 1,000 insects. Species like the threatened Mexican Spotted Owl and rare Black Swallowtail Butterfly are of special interest.
Resources
About the Author:
Phyllis Benson is a professional writer and creative artist. Her 25-year background includes work as an editor, syndicated reporter and feature writer for publications including "Journal Plus," "McClatchy Newspapers" and "Sacramento Union." Benson earned her Bachelor of Science degree at California Polytechnic University.
Photo Credits:
Photo by Andreas F. Borchert, GNU Free Documentation License
