Popocatepetl

Known as 'El Popo,' this active stratovolcano towers over central Mexico at 17,802 feet, occasionally sending plumes of steam and ash into the sky. The snow-covered peak, whose name means 'smoking mountain' in Nahuatl, offers dramatic views from nearby viewpoints and hiking trails in the surrounding national park. Its legendary status in Aztec mythology and ongoing volcanic activity make it one of Mexico's most iconic and closely monitored natural landmarks.