Chira Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chira
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Island and district
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Sunset in Chira Island
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 Chira
Location in Costa Rica
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| Country |  Costa Rica |
| Province | Puntarenas |
| Canton | Puntarenas |
| District creation | 28 September 1998 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 43.0 km2 (16.6 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 1,576 |
| • Density | 36.65/km2 (94.93/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 |
| Postal code |
60113
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Chira Island is a beautiful island in Costa Rica. It's located in the Pacific Ocean, right at the top of the Gulf of Nicoya. This island is part of the Puntarenas region in Costa Rica. It's about 43 square kilometers big.
Contents
History of Chira Island
Chira Island became its own official district on September 28, 1998. This was an important step for the island. It helped the people of Chira manage their own community.
Geography of Chira Island
Chira Island is about 43 square kilometers in size. It sits about 15 meters above sea level. The island is found in the Gulf of Nicoya. This gulf has many islands. Chira Island is the second largest island in Costa Rica.
How Chira Island Formed
The Gulf of Nicoya has a large area of seawater. This area was formed by a geological fault. The land here sank a long time ago. Only the tops of old hills remained above water. These hilltops became the islands you see today. The Tempisque River flows into the Gulf of Nicoya.
Nature on Chira Island
Chira Island is very special for its nature. It has some of the best tropical dry forest plants in Costa Rica. This forest is full of amazing plants and animals. It's a very important place for biodiversity.
Villages and Mangroves
Six villages are home to most of the people on Chira Island. These villages are mostly along the northern side of the island. The eastern part of the island is covered in mangrove swamps. Mangroves are special trees that grow in salty water. They are important homes for many animals.
People of Chira Island
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1883 | 46 | — | |
| 1892 | 96 | 108.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,534 | — | |
| 2011 | 1,576 | 2.7% | |
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Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos |
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In 2011, about 1,576 people lived on Chira Island. The population has grown over the years.
Economy of Chira Island
The main jobs on Chira Island are fishing and farming. Some people also work in salt pans. Salt pans are areas where salt is collected from seawater. These areas are also popular with birds like roseate spoonbills.
Sustainable Fishing and Tourism
The people of Chira Island rely a lot on the ocean. To help protect the island's natural resources, new projects have started. One project helps grow mollusks, like a type of oyster. This helps local fishers have a steady income.
People are also trying to bring more tourism to the island. They want visitors to enjoy the natural beauty. This includes the mangrove swamps and the Tempisque River. Tourists can also learn about the local culture.
Island Events
Every year, in June and July, Chira Island hosts fun events. There's a national bike race and a running race. These events let people explore the island's natural beauty.
See also
In Spanish: Isla de Chira para niños
