Mapimí, UNESCO biosphere reserve in Durango, Mexico
Mapimí is a biosphere reserve in Durango's desert landscape that spans a large territory with distinct ecological zones. These three main regions consist of a mountain area, a lagoon with palm vegetation, and extensive sand dunes.
The Mexican government created this protected area in 1977 to preserve the biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. It received UNESCO recognition just two years later.
Local communities living here practice cattle raising and salt extraction as part of their daily work. They combine these traditional activities with participation in environmental protection efforts.
Visitors can join guided tours along marked trails to observe wildlife throughout the reserve. The best time to visit depends on weather and wildlife patterns, so planning ahead is recommended.
The reserve is home to the Bolson tortoise, a species found nowhere else in the world except this region of the Chihuahuan Desert. These tortoises have adapted to thrive in extreme desert heat and aridity.
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