Native name: Arrecife Alacranes | |
---|---|
Geography | |
Location | Gulf of Mexico Progreso Municipality Yucatán, Mexico |
Coordinates | 22°22′58″N 89°40′57.8″W / 22.38278°N 89.682722°W |
Archipelago | Campeche Bank |
Total islands | 5 |
Major islands | Isla Pérez |
Administration | |
Official name | Parque Nacional Arrecife Alacranes |
Designated | 2 February 2008 |
Reference no. | 1820[1] |
Scorpion Reef (Spanish: Arrecife Alacranes) is an atoll containing a small group of islets in the Gulf of Mexico, about 125 kilometres (78 mi; 67 NM) off the northern coast of the state of Yucatán, Mexico.[2] Designated a national park, the reef is part of the Campeche Bank archipelago and is the largest reef in the southern Gulf of Mexico.[3][4] It contains five main vegetated islands: Isla Pérez, Isla Desertora, Isla Pájaros, Isla Chica, and Isla Desterrada.[3][4] Isla Pérez is the only inhabited island and includes a lighthouse.[3] The reef, including its islets and surrounding waters, has been recognised as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it supports a population of magnificent frigatebirds.[5]