Revillagigedo Islands

Revillagigedo Islands

Native name: Islas Revillagigedo
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	18°50′N 112°50′W / 18.833°N 112.833°W / 18.833; -112.833
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	Mountain Time Zone (UTC−7) Pacific Time Zone (UTC−8)
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Archipiélago de Revillagigedo
Type	Natural
Criteria	vii, ix, x
Designated	2016 (40th session)
Reference no.	1510
Region	Latin America and the Caribbean
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Reserva de la Biosfera Archipiélago de Revillagigedo
Designated	2 February 2004
Reference no.	1357[1]

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.^[2][3]

In July 2016, the Revillagigedo Archipelago was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,^[4] and in November 2017 they were declared to be a marine reserve and a national park of Mexico.^[5] 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.^[6]