evidence: El Pico de Orizaba, or Citlaltépetl (= "star"), is Mexico’s highest peak, rising to a summit 5,610 meters (18,406 feet) above sea level. The third highest peak in North America, it is also that region’s highest volcano, responsible for major eruptions in 1569, 1613 and 1687. The mountain was first explored by scientists as long ago as 1838. [...] My thanks to Dr. Winston Crausaz. the author of Pico de Orizaba or Citlaltepetl (Geopress International, 1993), whose valuable comment on the original post (see below) has now been incorporated into the updated version above. Mexico’s volcanoes, mountains and relief features are examined in chapters 2 and 3 of Geo-Mexico: the geography and dynamics of modern Mexico.