The
Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS), also popularly known as the
Great Mayan Reef or
Great Maya Reef, is a marine region that stretches over 1000 km from
Isla Contoy at the tip of the
Yucatán Peninsula down to
Belize,
Guatemala and the
Bay Islands of
Honduras. The reef system includes various protected areas and parks including the
Belize Barrier Reef,
Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park,
Hol Chan Marine Reserve (
Belize),
Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve, and the
Cayos Cochinos Marine Park. Belize's coastline, comprising the
Belize Barrier Reef, is home to approximately 80% of MBRS. The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere and the second largest barrier reef in the world. The Belize Barrier Reef and Belize's 3 offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries - collectively termed, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System has been designated a
World Heritage Site by
UNESCO (1996).