Mexico is considered a "mega-diverse" country and as such forms part of a select group of nations that possess the greatest number and diversity of animals and plants; nearly 70% of global species diversity. For some authors, the group incorporates 12 countries: Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Zaire, Madagascar, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. Others increase the list to more than 17, adding Papua New Guinea, South Africa, USA, Congo, Philippines and Venezuela.

Mexico is one of three mega-diverse countries (along with the United States and Colombia) with coastlines on the Atlantic and the Pacific.

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