Maya Biosphere Reserve, Biosphere reserve in Petén Department, Guatemala.
The Maya Biosphere Reserve encompasses 21,602 square kilometers of tropical forest, wetlands, rivers, and lakes in northern Guatemala's largest administrative region.
Established in 1990, this protected area contains numerous Maya archaeological sites, including Tikal, El Tintal, and Nakbe, revealing ancient urban developments.
Local communities within the reserve maintain forest concessions that allow them to practice traditional sustainable forestry methods spanning 25-year periods.
The reserve divides into separate zones, with core areas prohibiting human settlement while multiple-use sections permit regulated economic activities.
In 2018, researchers discovered 60,000 previously unknown structures using lidar technology, indicating a larger Maya population than initially estimated.
Location: Petén Department
GPS coordinates: 17.49000,-89.09000
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:48
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