Revillagigedo Islands

Revillagigedo Islands
Native name:
Islas Revillagigedo
Aerial view of Socorro Island, one of the Revillagigedo Islands
Map
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates18°50′N 112°50′W / 18.833°N 112.833°W / 18.833; -112.833
Total islands4
Area157.81 km2 (60.93 sq mi)
Highest elevation1,130 m (3710 ft)
Highest pointCerro Evermann
StateColima
Demographics
Population54
Additional information
Time zone
Official nameArchipiélago de Revillagigedo
TypeNatural
Criteriavii, ix, x
Designated2016 (40th session)
Reference no.1510
RegionLatin America and the Caribbean
Official nameReserva de la Biosfera Archipiélago de Revillagigedo
Designated2 February 2004
Reference no.1357[1]

The Revillagigedo Islands (Spanish: Islas Revillagigedo, IPA: [reˈβiʝa xiˈxeðo]) or Revillagigedo Archipelago are a group of four volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, known for their unique ecosystem. They lie approximately 458 kilometres (285 mi) from Socorro Island south and southwest of Cabo San Lucas, the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, and 698 to 1,092 kilometres (434 to 679 mi) west of Manzanillo. Historically linked to the Mexican state of Colima, to which they were granted in 1861 to establish a penal colony, the islands are under Mexican federal property and jurisdiction.[2][3]

In July 2016, the Revillagigedo Archipelago was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,[4] and in November 2017 they were declared to be a marine reserve and a national park of Mexico.[5] Some of the volcanoes are active, with the last eruption of Volcán Bárcena in 1953, and Socorro in 1993. Travelling to the islands from their nearest land point takes approximately 26 to 30 hours, as they are typically reached by sea; a small military airstrip exists on Socorro.[6]

  1. ^ "Reserva de la Biosfera Archipiélago de Revillagigedo". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Programa de Conservación y Manejo Reserva de la Biosfera Archipielago de Revillagigedo" (PDF). Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  3. ^ "ACUERDO por el que se da a conocer el resumen del Programa de Manejo del Área Natural Protegida con la categoría de Parque Nacional Revillagigedo". Diario Oficial de la Federación. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  4. ^ "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference MPA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Exploring Mexico's Revillagigedo Islands - Dive Training Magazine".