Mexico is well known for its incredible biodiversity and many unique environments. It is a highly mountainous country, with over half of its surface higher than 3,200 feet above sea level. Combining its Atlantic and Pacific coasts, the country has a coastline of nearly 6,200 miles. With numerous biogeographic regions, Mexico has more reptile species than any other country, and more than 10 percent of the world’s population of birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish.

Pez Maya Area of Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve © Edward Porter/TNC

Mexico is one of the richest countries in the world in biodiversity, ranking 4th behind Indonesia, Brazil, and Colombia. One third of its terrestrial vertebrates and nearly half of its plants are found nowhere else in the world. Mexico Partner Organizations

Created in 1983, the National System of Natural Protected Areas protects more than 26.3 million acres, or about 6 percent of Mexico’s land. However, Mexico’s protected areas are faced with many intractable problems, not the least of which is land tenure. Many parks have been established on communal lands, which often leads to land use conflicts. Deforestation, poaching, mining, overgrazing, and erosion are among the many other challenges that park managers face in Mexico.