Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park
Location in Mexico
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| Location | Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico |
| Nearest city | San Miguel de Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico |
| Area | 120 km2 (46 sq mi) |
| Established | July 19, 1996 |
| Governing body | Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources |
| Official name: Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel | |
| Designated: | 2 February 2005 |
| Reference #: | 1449 |
The Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park is a special place off the coast of Cozumel Island in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This park protects amazing coral reefs. These reefs are part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. This is the second largest coral reef system in the whole world!
Even though Cozumel Island has many reefs, this park protects only the reefs on its south side. It starts south of the International Pier and goes around Punta Sur. It also covers a small part of the island's east side. The park has coral reefs that are both shallow and very deep, going down to 100 meters.
This park is a special protected area. It's recognized by the Ramsar Convention for its important wetlands. It is also part of the UNESCO Isla Cozumel Biosphere Reserve.
Contents
Where is Cozumel Reefs National Park?
The park is located in the area of Cozumel in Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) off the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. You can find it in the beautiful Caribbean Sea.
When was the park created?
The Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park was officially created on July 19, 1996. This happened under the direction of Mexico's president at the time, Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León. The park covers a large area of 120 square kilometers (46 square miles).
What kind of animals and plants live here?
Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park is home to over 1,000 different kinds of marine animals. The coral reefs are found on underwater cliffs. Some are also in coastal lagoons and on sand bars.
The reefs here have both hard coral and soft coral. Many types of sea creatures live among these corals. These include:
- Zoanthids (small sea animals)
- Polychaets (bristle worms)
- Actinarians (sea anemones)
- Hydroids (small, plant-like animals)
- Sponges
- Crustaceans (like crabs and lobsters)
- Mollusks (like snails and clams)
- Echinoderms (like starfish and sea urchins)
- Many different kinds of Caribbean fish
The park also protects several endangered marine species. These include the loggerhead sea turtle and hawksbill sea turtle. You can also find the queen triggerfish here.
One very special animal is the Cozumel splendid toadfish. This fish is found only around Cozumel Island! It is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. This means it needs protection.
Because of all the amazing marine life and clear, warm water, Cozumel is one of the best places in the world for scuba diving.
Other protected species in the park include:
- Sea turtles (like the green turtle, loggerhead, and hawksbill)
- The queen conch (a large sea snail)
- Black coral
See also
In Spanish: Parque nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel para niños
- List of reefs
