Culebra

Culebra is an small island of Puerto Rico located at ten kilometers in the east of the principal island. Its name means “Spanish grass snake”.

History

Discovered at the same time as Puerto Rico in 1493 by Christophe Colomb at the time of its second voyage, she was inhabited by the Indians Taino. During three centuries it was used as refuge to the pirates, whose Henry Morgan celebrates it. In 1875, black English of the name of Stevens was named governor of the island by the government of Vieques. He was to protect from the pirates, the island and the fishermen of the dimension, but was assassinated the same year. Culebra was really inhabited only as from October 1880 with the establishment of Cayetano Escudero Sanz. September 25th, 1882, began the construction of the headlight of Culebrita, a small small island in north east of Culebra, which was finished on February 25th, 1886. This headlight remained during nearly 100 years oldest of the Caribbean Sea, until its outage in 1975. In 1902, Culebra was integrated into the island of Vieques. In 1903, the US president Theodore Roosevelt, created a military naval zone on the island at ends of drive to the bombardment. The population of Culebra protested violently as from 1971, to obtain win in 1975, with the displacement of the operations on the island of Vieques.

Culebra was declared municipality independent in 1917, but the governor of the island was named until 1960 by the administration of Puerto Rico. From this date, the island elects its representatives freely.

Geography

detailed Article: Geography of Puerto Rico

Geologically speaking, Culebra belongs to the group of the Virgin Islands contrary to Vieques which is attached to Puerto Rico. It is an island much more arid than Puerto Rico, and which moreover does not have permanent rivers (water is imported of Vieques).

The majority of the small islands surrounding Culebra, like certain coastal areas of the principal island, are the maritime natural reserves (for a surface of 6 km ²) mainly dedicated to the reproduction of various species of turtles. The ornithological reserve of Culebra was created in 1909 by the president Theodore Roosevelt, it includes/understands approximately 50.000 individuals.

Economy

There exists an aerodrome ( Culebra Airport , code AITA: CPX), served very well, connecting it in 15 min to San Juan. One can also reach it by a ferry (twice-daily) in 1:00 of crossing since Fajardo or in 45 min since Vieques.

The economy of the island is primarily based on tourism and its repercussions. Many Oporto-yankees like to spend the weekend on the sompteuses and little attended beaches island. The reefs bordering the beaches are popular for the plungers amateurs.

The principal centers of interest of the island are:

  • Flamingo Beach
  • Faced Beach
  • Las Vacas Beach
  • Larga Beach
  • Pueblo Español
  • Punta Soldado Beach
  • Resaca Beach
  • Tamarindo Beach
  • Tortuga Beach

Culture

See too

External bonds

  • Guide

Random links:McLaren MP4-17D | Numerical laboratory of imagery | Alexandre Boussageon | Ecological reserve of the Almost island-Robillard | Dimension of convex | Keaton_Tyndall_et_Kylie_Rae_Tyndall