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Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina facts for kids

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Escudo de San Andrés y Providencia
Coat of arms of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina
Flag of San Andrés y Providencia
Flag of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina

The Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina is a special group of islands that belongs to Colombia. People often call it San Andrés y Providencia for short. It's one of the areas, or "departments," that make up Colombia.

This archipelago includes two main groups of islands. It also has eight smaller banks and reefs. The islands are located far from mainland Colombia. They are about 775 kilometers (480 miles) northwest of Colombia. They are also about 220 kilometers (137 miles) from the coast of Nicaragua. The main city and capital of this island group is San Andrés.

About the San Andrés Archipelago

This island group is a unique part of Colombia. It is known for its beautiful beaches and clear waters. The archipelago is made up of several islands and smaller landforms.

Where is the Archipelago Located?

The islands are in the Caribbean Sea. They are quite a distance from the main part of Colombia. Imagine drawing a line from Colombia's coast northwest into the sea. That's where you'd find these islands. They are also closer to Nicaragua than to Colombia.

How Many People Live There?

A census in 2005 counted the number of people living on these islands.

  • About 65,000 people lived on San Andrés Island.
  • Around 5,000 people lived on Providencia Island.
  • Only about 200 people lived on Santa Catalina Island. Santa Catalina is a very small island right next to Providencia.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina para niños

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