Mexico is not only one of the countries with the greatest cultural wealth in the world, it is also considered one of the megadiverse nations due to the multiple ecosystems it has in its territory. An example of this is the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site and whale sanctuary.
Located in the northwest of the country, in the municipality of Mulegé, in Baja California Sur, El Vizcaíno consists of 2 million 546 thousand 790 hectares, it is one of the largest protected areas in Mexico.
This extensive reserve is divided into three areas:
Mountains
Plains that make up the Vizcaíno basins
Coastal area with about 450 kilometers of beaches.
El Vizcaíno helped prevent the extinction of the gray whale
Without a doubt, the greatest attraction of this natural reserve is the El Vizcaíno Whale Sanctuary, its importance is such that it is the most important place in the world to protect the gray whale population.
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It is worth mentioning that it is in this region that gray whales breed and mate, fundamental stages of the biological cycle of these mammals.
This cycle occurs specifically in two coastal lagoons, Laguna Ojo de Liebre and Laguna San Ignacio, which were vital for the reproduction of the eastern subpopulation of the gray whale of the North Pacific, which, at one time, were in danger of extinction due to the tireless commercial hunting of this species.
The website of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) explains that there are multiple factors why these lagoons are an important region for gray whales, as they have depth, temperature, nutrients and salinity, ideal elements for mating, birth and breeding.
What can you do in El Vizcaíno?
In El Vizcaíno, not only the gray whale is protected, but also botanical and animal species that have even developed endemic species.
Among its many tourist activities you can enjoy:
Observation of marine flora and fauna (gray whale) and terrestrial
Cave paintings in the archaeological zone of the Sierra de San Francisco
Camping
Kayaking
Cycling
In addition, you will be able to see incredible phenomena such as:
Whale migration (December-April).
Seabird migration (December-March).
Presence of Peninsular Berrendo (all year round).
Feeding area for sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) (all year round)
Other natural attractions include:
Volcano
Mountains
Ravines
Canyons
Dunes
Islands
Reefs
Bays
Beaches
Lakes
Lagos
Emblem species (whale, bighorn sheep, peninsular pronghorn, birds).
It is worth mentioning that the reserve has hotels and cabins for lodging, and there is also the possibility of camping.
Finally, since December 11, 1993, it is part of the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a Natural World Heritage Site.
Source: elsoldemexico
