Revillagigedo Islands
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.
Native name: Islas Revillagigedo | |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 18°50′N 112°50′W |
| Total islands | 4 |
| Area | 157.81 km2 (60.93 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,130 m (3710 ft) |
| Highest point | Cerro Evermann |
| State | Colima |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 54 |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone |
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| Official name | Archipiélago de Revillagigedo |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, ix, x |
| Designated | 2016 (40th session) |
| Reference no. | 1510 |
| Region | Latin America and the Caribbean |
| Official name | Reserva de la Biosfera Archipiélago de Revillagigedo |
| Designated | 2 February 2004 |
| Reference no. | 1357 |
In July 2016, the Revillagigedo Archipelago was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2017 they were declared to be a marine reserve and a national park of Mexico. 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.