Treasure Island

Page 1

Treasure Island General Information

In the earliest known history of Old Providence, the island formed a portion of the habitat and territory of the Sumo Matapala Miskito Indians. The Miskitos conducted excursions to hunt turtles, lobsters, giant conch, and large fish around the island as well as to obtain lumber from the forests. While building temporary huts in which to spend the night and growing small cultivations of basic crops, they never permanently lived there and had minimal impact with no adverse effect on the natural environment. The popular belief is that Christopher Columbus himself discovered the island, however, all that is known about this first interaction is that, given the Spanish custom of naming places after the saint’s day it was discovered, explorers landed on Saint Catharine’s (Providence) on November 25th. The Spanish themselves had no interest in colonizing the island, however they claimed the first jurisdiction over it in 1538 under the creation of the Audiencia of Panama.

Santa Catalina Area: 1 km2 Population: 250

Location: 13°19´ to 13°24´N; 81°21´ to 81°24´W Capital: San Andrés, the Department of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia Native Language: Creole English Official Language: Spanish Department Flag

Geology: Extinct Miocene Volcano Highest Elevation: 360 meters above sea level Annual Median Temperature: 26.7o C / 80o F Rainy Season: June to November Major Ecosystem Types: Terrestrial areas—dry tropical forest and agroecosystems Coastal/marine areas—coral reefs and mangroves

Spain reconquered the island only to leave it abandoned until the British arrived to recolonize it in the early 18th century with settlers from Jamaica. The new economy, based on the cotton plantations, depended on slave labor, the majority of which came from the Anglo-Caribbean and West Africa. In 1783 Britain and Spain signed the Treaty of Versailles, returning the island to the jurisdiction of Spain, and in 1822 it was formally incorporated into the newly independent Gran Colombia. With the inclusion of the archipelago Gran Colombia gained 250,000 km2 of territorial waters. The inhabitants of the archipelago had to constantly fight to remain rooted on the islands and to maintain connections with their economic and cultural roots (Jamaica) and their religious roots (English Puritans). Through this distancing from their roots due to Spanish rule, the inhabitants were able to create their own identity based on their British heritage, but free from British colonial rule.

Alligator Point

Southwest Bay 20

Allan Beach

od Go

230

w Vie

r ate hw es

200

250

Ric

ll

t

Far Enough

150

Bocachica 180

Mac a

150

Morgan’s Head

170

Hill

170

Murray Hill

Little Mountain

ul l y eG

190

Peak

es W

Bo

340

ie tf

60

260

70

ld

90

70

Burn Wood Valley

Tadee Hill

el

190

Pen Hill

250

Calaloo Point

Lo

Ha

st

lley

gg er

’s V

he

iew

ad

Km 15

Hil

l

Bailey

170

Hil

l

Big 100 Be n

Km 12

uf f

McBean Hill

Km 14

McBean Lagoon National Park 40

oint Rocky P

40

90

rC yste

r

40

Trail to the Peak

Hiking on Old Providence is beautiful in both views and wildlife, so watch out for Green Iguanas—which are growing rare as they are a specialty in local cuisine, Ichilis (Spiny-Tailed Black Iguanas), Blue and Green Lizards, Geckos, Black Crabs, and Hermit Crabs. Birdwatchers should keep an eye out for the Green-Breasted Mango hummingbird and Bananaquits which are most commonly spotted in the woods and near beaches.

Boxon

y Nellns Dow

Maracaibo

Ichili

Blue Lizard

Black Crab

Beware of the Cockspur trees, an invasive species on Providence, which can be identified by their black thorns in which ants live to protect the developing seeds. Even a quick brush against these trees will result in a bite that will continue to sting all day.

o nw Iro

Beaches McBean Bay

od

20

l Hil 80

Maracaibo Bay

70

Crab Cay

Three Brothers Cay

The best snorkeling without hiring a boat is off Santa Catalina and Fort Beach. The quietest beaches are Allan Bay, Fort Beach, and Kitty Wharf (which requires getting wet to get to the beach from the trail). To relax in a hammock, visit Manchineel; for beach chairs and a more touristy scene try Southwest and Freshwater. The best corn ice cream and sweet bread is at Southwest, while patacones (fried plantains) can be found at Manchineel.

Turks & Caicos Islands

Cuba

The Bahamas

Cayman Island

Haiti Dominican Republic

Ja maic a

Fisherman & his Catch-of-the-Day, Manchineel Beach

k il 80°0'0"W om et er s 710

S ea

90k

m

Old Providence Island 0 29 eters k i l o m San 725 Andrés kilo mete Island rs

ean ibb r Ca

5 25

kil

s er et om

Cartagena

Panama City

Venezuela

Pa c

i

Colombia

Gullies Beaches Trails Sidewalks Dirt Roads Paved Roads Barrier Reef Mangroves Populated Places Biosphere Reserve

Horse Racing on Southwest Beach

Horse races take place most Saturdays in Southwest Bay and catboat races from Manchineel to Rocky Point usually occur once a month. To see the artisanal fishers bring in the catch of the day, check out Manchineel, Freshwater, or Southwest. For night life, head to Roland’s Bar at Manchineel where reggae music plays until the wee hours of the morning (keep an eye out for posters advertising local bands); for a calmer experience, Richard’s Place at the far end of Southwest Bay will light a coconut bonfire Friday and Saturday nights and serve fried fish as the sun sets. For the most up-to-date information, check with locals!

Kingston 85°0'0"W

90

40

iz e

Bush Pass Point

Buccaneer Point

Morgan’s Head

INA

L CORA

Km 16

Northeast Hill

ek

100

B el

TOWN

Km 17

Garet Bay

El Em

90

O c e a n

Mountain

irport brujo A

Km 13

Bl

• View

e

70

P

130

O

So uth ea

Go at

Split Hill

Miltapoint Jones Point

140

160

150

Bailey ’ s Spring

Smoothwater Bay

150

Basalt Cay Palm Cay

Marshal Hill

0

340

16

0

200

Burn Hill

350

24

140

fi c

’s er v Lo ane L

n an Ch

250

50

170

Km 11

Panama

$

160

330

10°0'0"N

$i

Free Town

Cedar Valley

350

Big Hill

Costa Rica

Dock

Km 1

Patience Hill

Old John Bay

70

140

Smoothwater Bay

Nicaragua

Catalina Bay

320

Diamond Hill

Bluefields

100

340

90

130

Rock Fenot

Km 2

Sugarloaf

t h e Pe ak

M

n

50

ry

20

Warwick Fort

a rg

Liza Bay 130

Salt Hole

330

ill

n Gully wde

Fort Beach

Gun Point

re

Au

Tra il t o

Trum310 pet H

Old Town Bay

Old Town

330

260

Mona Bay

200

Bottom Ho us

The best hike on Old Providence is to the Peak— the highest point on the island. It takes approximately two and a half hours to ascend the 360 meters from either the trailhead in Bottom House or in Westfield. From the top, hikers can see the entire island, incoming ships, and even some of the coral reef. A shorter hike (half an hour) takes you to Morgan’s Head on Santa Catalina from which one can see the back side of Catalina with its palm-lined coast and clear waters. In the south of Old Providence there are an array of hikes with great views of Bottom House from Morris Hill and Manchineel Bay from South Hill.

Santa Catalina

60

Mount Prosperous

230

Burn Hill

290

Km 10

Trails

240

Big Rock

60

Leopard Ray off of Loggerhead Bluff

Tra il

ch Bea

Bottom House

Camp

80

200

Km 9

Allan Bay

Camp Hill

Km 3

120

Hi

ke

ly

100

Round Hill

Starfish in bed of sea grass near Santa Catalina

40

B

Men O’War nesting on 3 Brothers Cays within the biosphere reserve

The marine biology in the surrounding waters is some of the most diverse in the world as part of one of the largest barrier reefs in the Americas at 32 km long and 255 km2, covering 10% of the Caribbean Sea. However with increased population, urbanization, and over-utilization of these resources, it is important to understand that the beauty of Old Providence is dependant on a fragile ecosystem and to treat the environment with respect.

e)

240

Gu l

Km 4

Dagoo

Fr

l nee chi Ma n

Morris Hill

Cashew Hill

Marine Corps

110

View

120

(Salt C n F re eli ek p

230

50

El Salvad or

5. Cape of ye Woods / Ironwood Hill 6. Spyeglass Hill / The Peak 7. Foremast Hill / Manchineel Hill 8. Spring & Swamp / Bowden Gully

Old Providence

Sa

220

120

80

40

15°0'0"N

On November 10, 2000 UNESCO declared the 300,000 km2 Archipelago of San Andrés, Old Providence, and Santa Catarina the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve. On Old Providence this includes both terrestrial and marine areas, creating a “no entry” and “no take” zone extending to the barrier reef from McBean Lagoon National Park and protective zones within the Lagoon. Mangroves, the Peak Reserve, and old-growth forests were also protected. Within these reserves are numerous opportunities for eco-tourism which highlight yet protect the environment.

u lly

cu Gully

ill

ly

Scissors Hill

90

Dick Hill

yH

90

160

Cu

Laz 150

90

South Hill Km 8

Manchineel Bay

Freshwater Bay

Km 5

’s T re asu

Km 6

Hig 110 hH ill

o

se hou

ht

Lig

Honduras

3. Mizzenmast Hill / Split Hill 4. Bay near Treasure X / McBean Lagoon

Seaflower UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

ck G

Egypt Point

B west h t u o S

Km 7

h ea c

k ene

Big Black Point

Kitty Wharf

ro

Black Bay

Guatemala

There have been various movements on Old Providence since the 1970s proposing a variety of ways to return to the native islander culture. These range from bilingual education and television programs to the restoration of civic pride through self-governance, to tighter controls on immigration. In response to the minority ethnic concerns, the 1991 Colombian Constitution gave the current minority group of the native islanders the right to have education in English for the first time in fifty years. The constitution also allowed the islanders a more direct part in the shaping of the future of the archipelago, such as control over the residency and stay of tourists on the island. Controlling the tourism to Old Providence helps to combat the impact of an increased population on the island’s resources and to maintain this hidden paradise. So enjoy your time on Old Providence, but 1. Skeleton Island / 3 Brothers Cays please respect the native customs and the environment 2. Foul Ground / Santa Catalina and help the local economy!

Freshwater Bay

Pash Beach Freshwater Beach

ll G ul

Southwest Bay

Lazy Hi

Source: UNESCO

Mexico

Treasure Maps

With the abolishment of slavery in 1851, freed slaves took over the plantations and settled in Bottom House which is still the poorest and darkest-skinned portion of the island. Despite this, races interact peacefully with most conflicts developing between native islanders and mainland Colombians. In 1926 Colombia launched a “Colombianization” campaign to establish a Colombian culture and to oppress the strong Anglo-Caribbean culture that the population had inherited from their ancestors. From 1926 until 1975 all education was enforced by the Catholic mission—a process that had previously originated in the Protestant Church. Conversion to Catholicism became obligatory to obtain an official post as well as to receive scholarships to university. Schools closed and new ones opened that only taught in Spanish—completely ignoring the English and Creole languages of the islands—followed by a law in 1943 which decreed it illegal to use English in schools and official documents.

McBean Lagoon Mangroves

Fre sh Da wate m r

Currency: Colombian Pesos

Just before 1629, Dutch privateers and smugglers began operating out of and fortifying Santa Catalina under Captain Bluefields. At this point several crop failures in Bermuda encouraged Puritan colonists to embark on a search for new places to settle, landing them on Providence in 1629 where they worked with the Dutch to build defenses at the Warwick Fort on Santa Catalina. The settlers introduced new plants and domestic animals to the island and in 1633 the first slaves landed from Tortuga. The arrival of slaves increased piracy and smuggling as many of the slaves themselves were captured from Spanish ships, causing further conflict between Spain and England. This began a centuries-long fight for the possession of the island. At the end of 1670, Captain Henry Morgan took Old Providence from which he planned his famous sack of Panama and it is said that his buried treasure is still on the island. Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is rumored to be written about Old Providence (see “Treasure Maps”).

Calle, A Guide to the Environment of Old Providence and Santa Catalina, 1994

Old Providence Area: 18 km2 Population: 4,500

A Brief History

Wind Direction Frequency W NW

SW

N

S SE

NE

0

½

Scale 1:26,250

E

1km

Cartography: Alison K. DeGraff Data Source: CORALINA Author: Alison K. DeGraff Photography: Alison K. DeGraff & Orion D. Remaniak


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.