In the state of Quintana Roo, near Cancun, visitors can see Tulum, a walled city overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Courtesy of Mexican Tourism Board

Mexico - Nature and Scientific Wonders

By Smithsonian.com
Smithsonian.com, November 06, 2007

Mexico harbors a wealth of ecosystems and species that make it one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biological diversity. This wealth of natural resources is one of the greatest and most beautiful treasures of Mexico, one that attracts thousands of tourists as well as many scientists.

Mexico is considered the fourth country in the world in terms to the variety of unequaled ecosystems it has: you can find rainforests, mountains, volcanoes, deserts, reefs, caves and cenotes, a kind of limestone wells considered sacred by the Mayans which are ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling.

There is a myriad of natural sceneries in this vast territory of over 758,000 square miles. The country is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Cortes and the Gulf of Mexico and is covered by different mountain ranges, all full of flora and fauna. There are 58 National Parks and 121 Protected Natural reserves, with an extension of 14 million acres.

The territory encompasses nearly every type of geologic formation found in the Western Hemisphere. Abrupt topographic and climatic changes make Mexico a mosaic of natural diversity. This erratic mixture of settings creates the perfect stage for ecological adventure and exploration. Its vast landmass supports an astonishing variety of flora and fauna- nearly 30,000 species of flowering plants, including 1,000 species of orchids, and more than 1,000 species of birds, including 50 species of humming birds alone. There are more than 1,500 species of reptiles, mammals, and amphibians as well as breeding and nesting areas for endangered sea turtles, dolphins and whales.

Discover what Mexico has to offer: take an exotic trip through the Lacandona Jungle in Chiapas; explore the Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre) in Chihuahua; live the adventure of going down the rapids of Veracruz in a raft; fly over the state of Mexico and go sky diving; share the country life of the Zapotec community in Oaxaca; find unique resident and migratory bird species of unequal beauty—such as the pink flamingo—in Yucatan; witness the wonderful show of the grey whales that come to mate in the Sea of Cortes; or find yourself surrounded by millions of Monarch butterflies which migrate every winter from Canada to their protected reserve in Angangueo, in the state of Michoacan.

In the northern part of the country you will find the Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre), a wonderful geological formation which is four times bigger than the Colorado Canyon and where you can take different tours to explore this natural setting and live an adventure. Exuberant tropical forests are a landmark in the southern part of the country: try to visit the outskirts of Tenosique, in Tabasco. Chiapas is full of attractions: visit the Blue Mountains (Montes Azules) Biosphere Reserve, the magnificent Monte Bello Lagoons, or get on a boat to go through the Sumidero Canyon. Quetzal —the most beautiful bird in the world—can be found in El Triunfo, a biosphere reserve close to Escuintla.

The rich natural resources, privileged geographic location and biodiversity make Mexico an excellent territory to explore. You can do so by train, on foot, on horseback, in a kayak or you can go camping and mountain climbing. The canyons, plateaus, waterfalls and rivers are ideal for trekking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, rock climbing, camping, bird watching and rappelling. The country offers you fascinating ecosystems along its beaches and seas where you can go scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing, and whale-watching.