Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California
The site includes 244 islands, islets and coastal areas in the Gulf of California, northeastern Mexico. The Sea of Cortez and its islands are known as a natural laboratory for studying speciation. In addition, almost all of the major oceanographic processes on Earth occur in the site, making it of great research value. The site is a place of stunning natural beauty, made up of rugged islands, towering cliffs and sandy beaches, which contrast with the gorgeous reflections of the desert and the surrounding turquoise waters. There are 695 species of vascular plants, more than any other marine and island property on the World Heritage List. The number of fish species is equally outstanding: 891, 90 of which are endemic. In addition, the site is home to 39% of the world's total marine mammal species and a third of the world's marine cetacean species.