San Miguel de Allende and the Monarch Butterflies join Mexico’s World Heritage Sites!

 The town of San Miguel El Grande and the Sanctuary of Jesús de Nazareno de Atotonilco (San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato) and the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (State of Mexico and Michoacán) were named Mexico’s 28th and 29th World Heritage Sites by UNESCO during the 32nd annual World Heritage Committee in Canada. The committee also added 13 other new sites to their World Heritage List.  This year’s session, taking place between July 2nd through the 10th in Quebec, Canada, also honored both sites for their historical, cultural (current and future) and natural place in the world.

Mexico now places third in the world for their amount of World Heritage Sites, after Spain and Italy. With 29 natural and cultural, World Heritage Sites, including the Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM) and the new World Wonder Chichen Itza, Mexico is proud to also include well-known archaeological icons like Teotihuacan, to colonial cities such as Oaxaca, and Puebla and natural sites including the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, the Islands of the Gulf of California, and the El Vizcaino Whale Sanctuary.

The 16th century Mexican pueblo of San Miguel de Allende is known for its Mexican baroque architecture and cobblestone streets where natural hot springs provide for relaxation and the colorful atmosphere adds to an interesting vacation. During a short walk around the center of the city one can enjoy murals and paintings by local artists at the Instituto Allende, dance to the beat of the son in El Jardin, learn how to make a meal in one of its many cooking schools, relax at one of the local SPAs or study the Baroque architecture of its famous Parroquia and colonial mansions.   

The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries in the State of Mexico and Michoacán, have also attracted major international tourists- almost 250 million monarch butterflies. Originally from southern Canada and northern United States, the orange butterfly with black highlighting veins has become famous for its annual travel to its winter getaway. While in the colonial state, the butterflies cluster together by the thousands on Oyamel trees and making the forests glow the bright orange of their windows and attracting nature lovers from around the world.

Other tourist attractions include the beautiful colonial town of Morelia, Michoacan’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the quaint Magical Towns of Tlalpujahua  Island and the Tarascan Indian ruins of Tzintzuntzan, are also nearby.

UNESCO's World Heritage sites are cultural, natural, or mixed landmarks that represent the rich culture of a country and deserve international recognition. After a destination is deemed a World Heritage site, a country may receive financial assistance and expert advice from the World Heritage Committee to support activities for the preservation of its sites. Since 1972, UNESCO has inscribed 812 properties in 137 countries worldwide on its World Heritage List.

Other architectural World Heritage Sites in Mexico include the following.

• The Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) (2207)
• Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial in the town of Tequila (2006)
• Islands and Protected Areas, Gulf of Baja California (2005)
• House and Studio of Mexican architect Luis Barragan, Mexico City (2004)
• Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda, Queretaro (2003)
• Ancient Mayan City of Calakmul, Campeche (2002)
• Archaeological Monuments Zone, Xochicalco (1999)
• Historic Fortified Town, Campeche (1999)
• Archaeological Zone of Paquime, Casas Grandes (1998)
• Historic Monuments Zone, Tlacotalpan (1998)
• Hospicio Cabanas, Guadalajara (1997)
• Historic Monuments Zone, Queretaro (1996)
• Prehispanic Town, Uxmal (1996)
• Monasteries on the Slopes, Popocatepetl (1994)
• Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco (1993)
• Historic Center, Zacatecas (1993)
• Whale Sanctuary, El Vizcaino (1993)
• Prehispanic City of El Tajin (1992)
• Historic Center, Morelia (1991)
• Prehispanic City of Chichen-Itza (1988)
• Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines (1988)
• Historic Center, Puebla (1987)
• Historic Center of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Alban (1987)
• Prehispanic City of Teotihuacan (1987)
• Historic Center of Mexico City and Xochimilco (1987)
• Prehispanic City and National Park of Palenque (1987)
• Sian Ka’an, Riviera Maya (1987)

For more information, visit:

http://whc.unesco.org
www.turismosanmiguel.com.mx  
www.festivalsanmiguel.com
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/
http://www.michoacan-travel.com/