National Park System, Mexico

Mexico recognises 67 federally protected natural areas, including national parks, which are administered by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP). In November 1917, Desierto de los Leones National Park was recognised as the first national park in Mexico. The Mexican government established new national parks from the 1930s through the twenty-first century. Mexican national parks cover a total area of 15,056 km². The national park system includes not only the rich historical cultural heritage of Indians but also the tropical forest ecosystem that is vital to the global environment. The parks are popular destinations for cultural heritage tourism and natural eco-tourism. In 1987, Palenque National Park was listed on the World Heritage List as a cultural heritage site.