Mexico is now home to two mixed heritage sites.
The Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Valley between Puebla and Oaxaca received the coveted designation from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee Monday, joining the Ancient Mayan City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul in the Yucatan Peninsula.
The mountainous region represents Mexico's 35th UNESCO World Heritage Site overall.
Home to dozens of species of birds and thousands of plant species, the valley of Tehuacan-Cuicatlan has been a natural protected area for the past two decades and was declared a biosphere reserve as recently as 2012.
The area spans an incredible 490,186 hectares and encompasses 30 municipalities in Oaxaca and 21 in Puebla.
"It protects around 141 species of birds, among which are hummingbirds, considered important pollinators for some cacti, and protects 10 percent of the 30,000 species of vascular plants described for Mexico," said the Mexican Secretariat of the Environment (Semarnat).
"The valley harbors the densest forests of columnar cacti in the world, shaping a unique landscape that also includes agaves, yuccas, and oaks," UNESCO stated.
The valley's cultural heritage includes remnants of cave paintings, cemeteries and citadels that date back to the origin of agriculture. "Archaeological remains demonstrate technological developments and the early domestication of crops," the agency added. "The valley presents an exceptional water management system of canals, wells, aqueducts and dams, the oldest in the continent, which has allowed for the emergence of agricultural settlements."
The UNESCO designation is yet another example of Mexico's diversity of attractions, which include some of the world's most beautiful beaches and nature, renowned cultural attractions, countless ancient sites, mouth-watering cuisine and captivating museums.
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