Margarita Island ( Spanish: Isla Margarita ) is the largest Venezuelan island located in the southern Caribbean . Together with the smaller islands of Coce and Kubagua , the archipelago forms the only island province of Venezuela called Nueva Esparta (New Sparta). The island has a total area of about 1071 km². The population is about 490,000 people (according to the 2011 census).
| Margarita Island | |
|---|---|
| Spanish Isla margarita | |
 | |
| Specifications | |
| Square | 1071 km² |
| Population | 490,000 people (2011) |
| Population density | 457.52 people / km² |
| Location | |
| Water area | The Caribbean |
| A country |
|
| State | Nueva esparta |
Content
Geography
Margarita Island - the largest of the Caribbean islands belonging to the Republic of Venezuela - 1071 km², the island consists of two mountain ranges connected by a narrow sand spit about 18 km long. Island coordinates: 10 ° 52 'north latitude at 11 ° 11' and 63 ° 47 'and 64 ° 24' 0. The island is removed from the mainland by a 22 km wide strait. The island is 69.2 kilometers long and has a maximum width of 34.6 kilometers. The climate of the island is dry tropical with temperatures between 24 and 37 ° C.
History
The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1498 and named it in honor of Princess Margaret of Austria and turned the island into a Spanish colony (see Spanish Empire ). In 1814, the islanders began the struggle for independence and were the first to receive it under the leadership of Simon Bolivar . Counting on getting a base in the Caribbean , the German Empire put forward claims on the island during the crisis of 1902-1903 , but US intervention in the conflict forced it to retreat.
Recreational Potential
The island is one of the main resorts of Venezuela. Many wealthy people from Caracas own villas on the island. In the past, the island was very popular with international tourists (especially Germans), but the political situation in modern Venezuela, as well as the crisis in Europe, led to a significant reduction in tourist flow.
The island has two national parks and three reservations with many species of birds - flamingos , pelicans , parrots , etc.
Economics
For its beautiful beaches and picturesque mountains, which are popular with tourists from the mainland and abroad, as well as for its sunny and dry climate, the island is called the pearl of the Caribbean. To Margarita island charter flights are made from Europe (Poland and the Czech Republic) and Canada. But most often, travelers get to the island through the capital of Venezuela - Caracas. The main industries are tourism , fishing and construction. The island is proclaimed a free trade zone .
Gallery
Guamache Bay
Links
- Official site of the Nueva Esparta State Administration (Spanish) (link not available) . Archived on September 25, 2008.