Natural
Îles et aires protégées du Golfe de Californie
Photo : Nichole Ouellette/ouellette001.com (CC BY 4.0)
Located in the Gulf of California in Mexico, this site encompasses a series of islands and protected marine areas within one of the world's most significant marine ecosystems. The Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, is characterized by exceptional biological productivity resulting from unique oceanographic conditions, including upwelling currents and tidal patterns. The protected islands and coastal areas serve as critical habitats for numerous endemic species, including marine mammals, seabirds, and fish species found nowhere else in the world. The site's designation recognizes the outstanding universal value of its marine biodiversity and the ecological processes that sustain these diverse ecosystems. The archipelago comprises numerous islands of varying sizes scattered throughout the gulf, with the surrounding waters representing one of the most biologically diverse marine regions globally. These protected areas function as essential refuges for species conservation and maintain the ecological integrity of the Gulf of California's unique marine environment.
