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Palancar Reef
[edit]Introduction, Brief History & Location
[edit]The Palancar Reef is a large coral reef and coral reefs are often known as the rainforests of the sea. Most of the coral reefs that exist, including the Palancar Reef, are threatened by humans due to overfishing, destruction and increasing rates of pollution.[1] The location of the Palancar Reef is on the southwest side of the Island of Cozumel and is part of the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park. The national park is located in the state of Quaintana Roo, Mexico. The Palancar Reef is part of the Cozumel Reef System which is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is the second largest coral reef system in the world. The Palancar Reef is located approximately 12 miles off the east coast of the Yucatan Penisula in the Caribbean Sea.[2]
Dimensions & Size of the Reef
[edit]The Palancar Reef spans over three and one half miles and lies one mile off shore. The great Palancar Reef lies at the top of an underwater cliff that descends to a depth of over 3000 feet deep. [3]The site, popular with scuba divers, is divided into several sections based on depth and coral formations. Dive depths range from 50 to 110 feet (15 to 34 m), with coral swim-throughs in many places. It is recommended to take at least six dives into the reef in order to view all of the magnificent caves and coral.[3]
Major Attractions of the Palancar Reef
[edit]The Palancar Reef is ranked number 8 on the scale for the most beautiful reefs in the world.[4] One of the greatest attractions within the Palancar Reef is the Palancar Garden, which is located at the north end of the reef. Tourists are often brought to the Palancar Garden due to its shallower depths filled with unique fish and coral. [3] The Palancar Reef is often compared to what Mars would look like if it were an underwater kingdom. The Palancar Reef is strictly known for its bright coral including colors like: neon pink, lime green and metallic orange. These characteristics make the reef one of the most breathtaking sceneries in the world, according to tourists who have explored the reef.[4]
Animals and Sea life
[edit]The Palancar Reef is home to exquisite coral and sea life which also serve as attractions for divers. The animals that inhabit the Palancar Reef include humpback whales, hammerhead sharks, seahorses, sergeant majors, butterfly fish, eels, barracuda, octopus and many more unique species.[4] Many of the animals that inhabit the Palancar Reef are endangered species, such as, sea turtles, queen conch and black coral. [2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Corals and Coral Reefs". Smithsonian Ocean. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
- ^ a b LLC, Revolvy. ""Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park" on Revolvy.com". www.revolvy.com. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
- ^ a b c "The Reefs". Dive Paradise. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
- ^ a b c "Life on Mars: Palancar Reef, San Miguel De Cozumel, Mexico | coral reefs". coralreefs.net. Retrieved 2019-05-11.