Cayo Norte facts for kids
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Cayo Norte off the northeast coast of Culebra, Puerto Rico.
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 Cayo Norte
Location in Puerto Rico
Cayo Norte
Location in Lesser Antilles
Cayo Norte
Location in Caribbean
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Caribbean Sea |
| Coordinates | 18°20′N 65°15′W / 18.333°N 65.250°W |
| Archipelago | Puerto Rico Archipielago, Greater Antilles |
| Area | 1.2 km2 (0.46 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 103.6 m (339.9 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Territory | Puerto Rico |
| Municipality | Culebra |
| Barrio/Ward | San Isidro |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
Cayo Norte, also known as West Key or North East Key, is the biggest island in Puerto Rico that is owned by a private company. It belongs to SVI Investments, Inc. The island is found about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) northeast of Culebra Island.
It is located about 36 kilometers (21 miles) east of Puerto Rico. It is also 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This island is part of the Culebra municipality, specifically in the San Isidro area. Cayo Norte is the only island in the Culebra group that is privately owned. Unlike many nearby islands, it is not part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge.
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Exploring Cayo Norte's Geography
Cayo Norte is the first island you see on your right side (starboard) when traveling through the Virgin Passage. This passage connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. The island is shaped a bit like an oval. Its hills gently slope down to sandy beaches on the south side.
The north side of the island has rocky cliffs. The highest point on the island is about 103.6 meters (340 feet) tall. It is located in the middle of the western part of the island. Cayo Norte covers an area of about 1.2 square kilometers (300 acres). The hills on the eastern half of the island are mostly covered with bushes. There are also wooded areas along the south coast, in the valleys, and on the western slopes.
Cayo Norte's History
In 1895, during the early Spanish settlement of Culebra Island, Cayo Norte was given to José Morales and Francisco de los Santos. Then, in 1902, ownership was transferred to Leopoldo Padrón. The Padrón family owned most of Cayo Norte until 2004.
In 2006, a company called SVI Investments, Inc. bought 100% of the island. They use it as a private getaway. Cayo Norte is special because it is the only island in the Culebra group that was not bombed by the U.S. Navy. A study from 2007 mentioned that Cayo Norte was planned for bombing in 1924. However, it was too difficult to move people and cows off the island. This meant it was never used as a bombing area. No unexploded bombs have been found on Cayo Norte.
Amazing Wildlife of Cayo Norte
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found a beach on the south coast of Cayo Norte. This beach is a very important home for two types of endangered sea turtles. These are the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). These turtles are protected because their numbers are very low.
Luckily, there are no other endangered animals or plants found in the higher parts of Cayo Norte. This means the island's land is a safe place for its natural inhabitants.
See also
In Spanish: Cayo Norte (Puerto Rico) para niños
Images for kids
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Cayo Norte off the northeast coast of Culebra, Puerto Rico.
