Sian Ka-an The Biosphere Reserve -

In the language of the Mayans, who inhabit this region, Sian Ka’an means Origin of Heaven. Localed in the east coast of the Yucatan peninsula, this biosphere reserve has tropical forests, mangroves and swamps.and is a big part of the barrier reef. "Sian Ka’an" is translated from Mayan as “Where Heaven is born” or “Gift of Heaven”. The reserve is believed to be inhabited in the preclassic and classic periods and is now the home to the Harbormaster of the Cohuah and Uaymil ports. There are 27 registered archeological sites inside the reserve. Ceramic and other artifacts dating back to 300 BC can be found there.

Sian Ka’an has approximently 530,000 hectares (1,600,000acres) in total area and covers about 120 km from north to south (what is more or less a third of the Carribean coast of Mexico). In 1994 an area of approximently 100,000 hectares (200,000 acres) in the south of the reserve was declared a protected zone for the flora and founa of Uaymil, increasing the prtected area of Quintan Roo.