Ballestas Islands facts for kids
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Islas Ballestas (Spanish)
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Partial view of Ballesta Centro Island.
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 Ballestas Islands
Location in Peru
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| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 13°44′09″S 76°23′47″W / 13.73583°S 76.39639°W |
| Major islands | Ballesta Norte, Ballesta Centro, Ballesta Sur |
| Administration | |
| Region | Ica |
| Additional information | |
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The Ballestas Islands (in Spanish: Islas Ballestas) are a group of small islands. They are located near the town of Paracas. This area is on the southern coast of Peru, in the Ica Region. These islands are famous for their amazing wildlife and unique rock shapes.
What are the Ballestas Islands like?
The Ballestas Islands are mostly made of cool rock formations. They cover a small area, about 0.12 square kilometers. These islands are a very important home for many ocean animals.
You can find many types of birds here. These include the guanay guano bird, the blue-footed booby, and the tendril. There are also Humboldt penguins living on the islands. You might even spot two kinds of seals: fur seals and sea lions.
How to Visit the Ballestas Islands
You can visit these islands by taking a boat tour. The tours usually start from the resort town of Paracas. Paracas is close to the city of Pisco. A typical boat trip to the islands lasts about two hours.
During your visit, it's common for sea lions to swim right up to the tourist boats. They often put on a show for the people watching! This makes the trip very exciting for tourists.
On the way to the islands, you will pass the Paracas Peninsula. Here, you can see something called El Candelabro. This is a very large drawing on the side of a hill. It might have been a guide for sailors long ago. No one knows for sure how it got there, and its mystery continues!
Visiting the Ballestas Islands is one of the best ways to see nature in Peru. It is a great example of ecotourism, where you visit nature while helping to protect it.
See also
In Spanish: Islas Ballestas para niños
