malpelo fauna and flora sanctuary
states: [colombia]
category: natural
year: 2006
location: Valle del Cauca Region
region: Latin America and the Caribbean
latitude/longitude: 3.9666666667, -81.6166666666
unesco id: 1216
world heritage site: 1216
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The Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Colombia, is a remote marine park in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. This protected area serves as a critical habitat for threatened marine species, including large aggregations of hammerhead and silky sharks, whale sharks, giant grouper, and billfish, thriving in an undisturbed environment. Its rugged underwater landscapes, featuring steep walls and caves, make it one of the world’s premier diving destinations, showcasing a pristine ecosystem shaped by nutrient-rich currents.