Beata Island facts for kids
Beata's shore
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 Beata Island, Pedernales
Location in the Dominican Republic
Beata Island (Dominican Republic)
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| Geography | |
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| Coordinates | 17°34′42″N 71°30′42″W / 17.57833°N 71.51167°W |
| Area | 27 km2 (10 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Pedernales Province |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 10 (2010) |
| Pop. density | 0 /km2 (0 /sq mi) |
Beata Island (called Isla Beata in Spanish) is a small island in the Caribbean Sea. It's located about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) southwest of Cape Beata. Another smaller island, Alto Velo Island, is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) southwest of Beata.
Beata Island is part of the Dominican Republic. It's shaped a bit like a triangle and is mostly flat. The island covers an area of about 27 square kilometers (10 square miles).
Island History
Beata Island was first seen by Europeans during Christopher Columbus's second trip in 1494. Before that, Taíno people lived on the island.
Later, the island became a possession of the Spanish Empire. It was part of the area known as the Captaincy General of Santo Domingo. The island was also a place where the Spanish military fought against pirates.
Island Geography
The island has different types of land. Some parts of the north shore have mangrove swamps. These are special forests that grow in salty water. The west coast has sandy coves and beaches.
Most of the island's middle part is covered by forests. These are called limestone forests. They grow in dry areas and lose some leaves in certain seasons. The island's rocks are mostly made of limestone. When this rock wears away, it creates very sharp surfaces. These are sometimes called diente de perro, which means "dogtooth."
You can also find several sinkholes and cenotes on the island. Sinkholes are holes in the ground that form when the surface collapses. Cenotes are natural pits or sinkholes that are filled with water.
Beata Island is home to many rhinoceros iguanas. These are large lizards with horn-like growths on their snouts. Currently, no one lives permanently on Beata Island. Sometimes, fishermen from the mainland visit, and there is a military base with soldiers who stay for a short time.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Beata para niños
