Sierra Miraco

Template:Geobox The Sierra Miraco is a mountain range in Inyursta, spanning the length of the central landmass of Marindino and forming the border of four provinces. It is the second highest mountain range in the country behind the continental Sierra Polaches range.

Geology

The Sierra Miraco were once a branch of the Sierra Polaches which broke off and slid eastward steadily overtime due to plate obduction. However continued tectonic pressure from the oceanic plate caused some peaks to remain tall - mainly the Sierra Polaches - while others "sunk" into the ocean (forming the San Meresque Strip).

They are primarily composed of granite and slate, and areas with heavy build-ups from millennia of degradation and erosion are primarily near-pure quartz. Copper (Cu) is the only major element found in the Sierra Miraco, and is still found in smaller quantities than the Sierra Polaches.

Ecosystems

See also: Ecoregions of Inyursta

Tropical cloud forests make up the primary composition of undisturbed or low-use ecosystems in the Sierra Miraco. Heavy rainfalls with high humidity and constant, never-freezing weather make the region ideal for high-productivity forests and wooded slopes. 64% of the Sierra Miraco is or was montane cloud forest.

Páramo - sometimes refered to as tropical alpine tundras - environments comprise the next largest chunk of ecosystems in the range. Páramos are found at the ridgelines and highest reaches of the mountains. Their high-output of freshwater feeds both natural rivers and jungles below, as well as human developments.

True rainforests, subtropical dry forest and bare/rocky peaks make up less than 10% combined of all ecosystems in the Sierra Miraco.

Human Civilization

In pre-columbian times, the Sierra Miraco and their foothills were the major cradle of Coacuendo civilization. Unlike more developed indigenous cultures, the Coacuendo preferred structures of wood and sod rather than stones and bricks; so much of the evidence of their inhibition has withered away by the elements and been reclaimed by forestland. Some well-used trails still cut into the mountains in even remote areas, while occasional stone shrines or wells can be found.

Later colonial and post-colonial settlers began making in-roads into the Sierra Miraco, with most civilization focusing around the Rio Griz and other waterways of the southern slope. Thick swamp and jungle of the Rio Neige Basin made the northwestern slope nearly impenetrable until the 20th century.

The major city of Cordoba is located in the upper foothills of the Sierra Miraco. Other notable cities include Medilla, Antioquía, Villalomez and Sant-Pierre.

The northeastern highlands of the Sierra Miraco remain home to the Cocha Peoples and their unique subculture.