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Traditional homeland of the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs, Mazatecos, and many other indigenous groups.

Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca, Mexico

Spanish for "the water boils" is a set of natural travertine rock formations. These formations are created by fresh water springs, whose water is over-saturated with calcium carbonate and other minerals. The calcium carbonate gives the formations a white or near white appearance, but other minerals that can be present in the water, such as silver, barium and iron can also be found and determines the color of a particular stalactite. The waters, with their high mineral content, are reputed to have healing qualities.