Maya Biosphere Reserve
Tropical forest ecosystems and ancient archaeological mapping
Covering roughly one-fifth of Guatemala, the Maya Biosphere Reserve represents a pioneering model of zoned conservation. The landscape features a complex mosaic of lowland rainforests, savanna patches, and seasonal wetlands formed over a weathered limestone platform. This atlas summary examines the reserve's ecological boundaries, its vital role in protecting Mesoamerican biodiversity, and the concentration of pre-Columbian cities located across the Petén Department.
