Sian Ka'an

關於

Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (Spanish: Reserva de la Biósfera de Sian Kaʼan) is a biosphere reserve in Tulum Municipality in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It was established in 1986 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

The term Sian Kaʼan, from the Yuatec Mayan language, "means 'gate of heaven' or 'a place where heaven begins.'"

By collaborating with scientists, technicians, students, fishermen, farmers, rural promoters and regional and international partners, more than 200 conservation projects have been carried out. Efforts have focused on eight protected natural areas that include the reefs of Banco Chinchorro, and Xcalak at South of Quintana Roo, Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve, Cancún, the island of Cozumel that is located in front of Xcaret and Isla Contoy up north, covering 320,000 hectares (780,000 acres). These areas lie in parts of all seven Caribbean Sea coastal municipalities of the state, with the largest part being in eastern Felipe Carrillo Puerto, where the vast majority of Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve lies.

Part of the reserve is on land and part is in the Caribbean Sea, including a section of coral reef. The reserve has an area of 5,280 square kilometers (2,040 mi2).

The reserve also includes some 23 known archeological sites of the Maya civilization including Muyil. Remains of the Decauville railway Vigía Chico-Santa Cruz, which was operated from 1905 to 1932, can be found at several places.

內容改寫自 Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)。照片來自 Wikimedia Commons.