Bajo Nuevo Bank facts for kids
| Disputed islands Other names: Petrel Islands |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Image of Bajo Nuevo from the ISS | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Caribbean Sea |
| Coordinates | 15°53′N 78°38′W / 15.883°N 78.633°W |
| Length | 26 km (16 mi) |
| Width | 9 km (5.6 mi) |
| Highest point | Unnamed location on Low Cay 2 metres (6.6 ft) |
| Administered by | |
{{country data  Colombia |flag/core|name= Colombia |variant=|size=}} |
|
| Department | San Andres and Providencia |
| Claimed by | |
{{country data  United States |flag/core|name= United States |variant=|size=}} |
|
| Territory | unincorporated unorganized |
{{country data  Jamaica |flag/core|name= Jamaica |variant=|size=}} |
|
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Bajo Nuevo Bank, also known as the Petrel Islands, is a small, empty reef with tiny grass-covered islets. It is located in the western Caribbean Sea. A lighthouse stands on Low Cay, one of its small land areas. The closest land is Serranilla Bank, about 110 kilometers (68 miles) to the west.
This reef first appeared on Dutch maps in 1634. It got its current name in 1654. An English pirate named John Glover rediscovered Bajo Nuevo in 1660. Today, several countries, including Colombia and the United States, disagree about who owns it. On November 19, 2012, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decided that Colombia has control over both Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Banks.
Contents
What is Bajo Nuevo Bank Like?
Bajo Nuevo Bank is about 26 kilometers (16 miles) long and 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) wide. Satellite images show it has two separate atoll-like parts. An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island, or chain of islands. These two parts are separated by a deep channel.
The Reefs and Low Cay
The larger southwestern reef is about 15.4 kilometers (9.6 miles) long. It is up to 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles) wide. This area covers about 100 square kilometers (39 square miles). Parts of this reef are dry on the southern and eastern sides.
The smaller northeastern reef is about 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles) long. It is up to 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) wide. This part covers about 45 square kilometers (17 square miles). The actual land area on these reefs is very small.
The most important small island is Low Cay. It is in the southwestern atoll. Low Cay is 300 meters (330 yards) long and 40 meters (44 yards) wide. It is only about 2 meters (6.6 feet) high. This small island is barren, meaning it has little or no plant life. It is made of broken coral, driftwood, and sand.
The Lighthouse on Low Cay
There is a lighthouse on Low Cay. It is a 21-meter (69-foot) tall metal tower. The tower is white with a red top. It sends out two white flashes of light every 15 seconds.
The lighthouse was first built in 1982. The Colombian Ministry of Defence rebuilt it in February 2008. The Colombian Navy now takes care of it. The country's Maritime Authority oversees its operation.
Who Owns Bajo Nuevo Bank?
Bajo Nuevo Bank is part of a disagreement between several countries. This is called a "territorial dispute." Countries often want to claim these areas to expand their "exclusive economic zone." This zone gives them special rights to explore and use marine resources.
Colombia's Claim
Colombia says Bajo Nuevo Bank is part of its San Andrés and Providencia department. The Colombian Navy's San Andrés fleet patrols the area. Colombia states it has claimed these lands since 1886. This was part of the San Andrés and Providencia islands. Other countries, like Nicaragua, disagree with this date. They say Colombia did not claim the territory by name until recently.
Jamaica's Claim
Jamaica also has a claim, but it has not been very active. Jamaica and Colombia signed some "bilateral agreements." These are agreements between two countries. From 1982 to 1986, they had a deal. It allowed Jamaican boats to fish in the waters around Bajo Nuevo and nearby Serranilla Bank. Some people thought this meant Jamaica agreed that Colombia owned the banks. However, this agreement ended in August 1986. Colombia chose not to renew it.
In 1993, Colombia and Jamaica agreed on a "maritime delimitation treaty." This treaty set up a "Joint Regime Area." In this area, they would work together to manage resources. This included living things and other resources in the waters between the two banks. But the waters right around the small islands were not part of this joint zone. Colombia considers these waters to be its own. This agreement started in March 1994.
Nicaragua's Claim
Nicaragua claims all the islands on its continental shelf. This area is over 50,000 square kilometers (19,000 square miles) in the Caribbean Sea. This includes Bajo Nuevo Bank and all islands near San Andrés and Providencia. Nicaragua has taken its claim against Colombia to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). They filed cases in 2001 and 2007. The main issue is whether a treaty from 1928, called the Esguerr–Bárcenas treaty, is still valid.
United States' Claim
The United States made a claim on November 22, 1869. This was under the Guano Islands Act. This act allowed U.S. citizens to claim islands with guano (bird droppings used as fertilizer). Most U.S. claims over guano islands in this region were given up in a treaty with Colombia in September 1972. However, Bajo Nuevo Bank was not mentioned in that treaty. The treaty also said that things not specifically mentioned were not covered. The United States still considers the bank an "unincorporated unorganized territory." This means it is a U.S. territory but not fully part of the U.S. system.
Honduras's Past Claim
Before 1999, Honduras also claimed Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank. But in 1986, Honduras and Colombia agreed on a maritime border. This agreement meant Honduras gave up control over the banks and their waters. This treaty showed that Honduras accepted Colombia's ownership of these areas. Nicaragua has argued against Honduras's right to give up these areas before the ICJ.
See also
In Spanish: Bajo Nuevo para niños
