Mariposa Monarca

Michoacán, Mexico

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Mariposa Monarca, in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, refers to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve and its surrounding sanctuaries where millions of orange‑and‑black monarch butterflies gather after migrating from Canada and the United States each autumn. These forests of oyamel fir, pine, and oak lie in the rugged mountains about 100 kilometers northwest of Mexico City, on the border between Michoacán and the State of Mexico, forming a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected natural area. Every year between November and March, the butterflies cluster tightly on tree branches to hibernate in the cool, high‑altitude woods, creating a breathtaking spectacle that turns entire slopes orange and draws tens of thousands of visitors. The site is also important for biodiversity, water catchment, and local indigenous communities, who practice agroforestry, handicrafts, and ecotourism while helping to conserve the monarchs’ fragile habitat.