Native name: Arrecife Alacranes | |
|---|---|
 ISS image of Scorpion Reef | |
  Scorpion Reef | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Gulf of Mexico Progreso Municipality Yucatán,Mexico |
| Coordinates | 22°22′58″N89°40′57.8″W / 22.38278°N 89.682722°W /22.38278; -89.682722 |
| Archipelago | Campeche Bank |
| Total islands | 5 |
| Major islands | Isla Pérez |
| Administration | |
| Official name | Parque Nacional Arrecife Alacranes |
| Designated | 2 February 2008 |
| Reference no. | 1820[1] |
Scorpion Reef (Spanish:Arrecife Alacranes) is anatoll containing a small group of islets in theGulf of Mexico, about 125 kilometres (78 mi; 67 NM) off the northern coast of the state ofYucatán,Mexico.[2] Designated a national park, the reef is part of theCampeche Bankarchipelago and is the largest reef in the southern Gulf of Mexico.[3][4] It contains five main vegetated islands:Isla Pérez, Isla Desertora, Isla Pájaros, Isla Chica, and Isla Desterrada.[3][4] Isla Pérez is the only inhabited island and includes a lighthouse.[3] The reef, including its islets and surrounding waters, has been recognised as anImportant Bird Area byBirdLife International because it supports a population ofmagnificent frigatebirds.[5]
The British postal steamerTweed was wrecked on the reef en route fromHavana toVeracruz in 1847, with the loss of 72 lives and a cargo of mercury.[6][7]
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