This Valley, with the richest biodiversity in North America, consisting of Zapotitlán-Cuicatlán, San Juan Raya and Purrón, it is one of the main centres of diversification for the cacti family, which is critically endangered worldwide. The valley presents an exceptional water management system of canals, wells, aqueducts and dams, the oldest in the continent.

The cultural landscape of the Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla demonstrates the link between man and nature that gave origin to the domestication of plants in North America, thus allowing the rise of Mesoamerican civilizations. Some of these shelters provide archaeological and rock-art evidence for the progress of nomadic hunter-gathers to incipient farmers.

The terraces, dams, canals, pyramids and artificial mounds of Monte Albán were carved out of the mountain and are the symbols of a sacred topography. The city of Oaxaca is a good example of Spanish colonial town planning. The solidity and volume of the city's buildings show that they were adapted to the earthquake-prone region in which these architectural gems were constructed.

In the tenth century AD, the early inhabitants of the region of Yagul built communicating platforms across the hills that surround the Caballito Blanco plateau. On top of these they built pyramids, palaces, sepulchres and a great ballcourt. At one time they were all painted red, and they still astonish us to this day.

The great Zapotec capital, on the flattened top of a group of hills, where the populace lived on the hillsides. Marvellous monuments, burial sites, ceramics, gold jewellery and fine stones. A rival of Teotihuacan, it was invaded by this empire, but survived to leave this amazing legacy.

This is a zone where stone was worked like jewellery and the Zapotec people showed their devotion to the dead. Here we can see the imprint of the skills of this indigenous group and its marvellous world, established 18 centuries ago.

An ancient Zapotec city whose Tomb 5 contained a plethora of symbols and beautiful figures, considered one of the finest examples of funerary art in ancient Mexico. It has a rich array of religious buildings from 300 and 800 AD when the city was flourishing.

Close to Bahías de Huatulco, this site was a ceremonial center. It is located on the hills near the cliffs of the Oaxaca coast, within the Eco-Archeological Park, a wonderful natural setting.

One of the main urban centers of the Mixtec culture, outstanding for its monumental architecture and sculpture, carvings with calendar signs and a ballcourt related to a ritual which often culminated in human sacrifice.

A monumental complex close to Monte Albán that testifies to the expansion of this culture at its height. The nobility lived here, as can be inferred from the numerous palaces, living complexes, squares and a burial complex.