Bocas del Dragón facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dragon's Mouths Bocas del Dragón
View of the Paria Peninsula in Venezuela that is separated from Trinidad by the waters of Boca Grande, one of the Bocas del Dragón
Dragon's Mouths Bocas del Dragón Location in Trinidad and Tobago Show map of Trinidad and Tobago Dragon's Mouths Bocas del Dragón Location in Caribbean Show map of Caribbean
Location	Gulf of Paria–Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean)
Coordinates	10°45′N 61°46′W / 10.750°N 61.767°W / 10.750; -61.767
Type	Strait
Basin countries	Venezuela Trinidad and Tobago

The Dragon's Mouths (also known as Bocas del Dragón in Spanish) are a group of narrow waterways, called straits. They connect the Gulf of Paria with the wider Caribbean Sea. These straits are found between the island of Trinidad and the Paria Peninsula in Venezuela.

The Four Dragon's Mouths

There are four main straits that make up the Dragon's Mouths. They are listed from west to east:

• The Boca Grande (or Grand Boca) is the largest strait. It separates Chacachacare island from the Paria Peninsula and Patos Island in Venezuela. The border between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela goes right through this strait.
• The Boca de Navios (or Third Boca) is next. It lies between Chacachacare island and Huevos island.
• Then comes the Boca de Huevos (or Second Boca). This strait is found between Huevos island and Monos island.
• Finally, the Boca de Monos (or First Boca) is the closest to Trinidad. It separates Monos island from the Chaguaramas Peninsula on the main island of Trinidad.

How They Got Their Name

The famous explorer Christopher Columbus named these passages. He discovered them during his third journey to the Americas. He thought the strong currents and rough waters looked like a dragon's mouth.

Images for kids

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  View of the Paria Peninsula in Venezuela that is separated from Trinidad by the waters of Boca Grande, one of the Bocas del Dragón

See also

In Spanish: Bocas del Dragón para niños