Arrecife Alacranes Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 2006, in Mexico. Located about 140 km off the Mexican coast, Arrecife Alacranes is the largest coral structure in the Gulf of Mexico. Its high biodiversity and strong fishing potential arise from the calcification of overlapping colonies of various coral species over thousands of years. The Arrecife Alacranes Biosphere Reserve contains five main vegetated islands: Isla Pérez, Isla Desertora, Isla Pájaros, Isla Chica and Isla Exterrada. Isla Pérez is the only inhabited island. Tides and storms have also endowed the area with notable cultural heritage, including stranded boats, lighthouses and buildings, some of which are historical monuments.