Colorados Archipelago facts for kids
The Colorados Archipelago (also known as Archipiélago de los Colorados in Spanish) is a chain of islands and small sandy islands called cays. You can find it along the north-western coast of Cuba.
The waters around these islands are very important for fishing. People catch tasty seafood like lobster, sponges, oysters, red snapper, and tuna here. The islands are also a popular spot for tourism. Places like Cayo Levisa attract visitors with their beautiful white sand beaches. It's also a great place for snorkeling and diving to explore the amazing sea life.
Where is the Colorados Archipelago?
The Colorados Archipelago sits on a reef barrier. This barrier is located off the northern coast of the Pinar del Río Province in Cuba. It faces the Gulf of Mexico. The archipelago stretches between Honda Bay and Cape San Antonio on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula.
The archipelago is about 100 km (62 mi) long. It includes many small cays. Some of these are Cayo Levisa, Cayo Arenas, Cayo Jutias, Punta Tabaco, and Cayo Paraiso. To the north, the sea is open. To the south, the islands are bordered by bays and estuaries. These include San Felipe, Honda, and Santa Lucía bays. There is a safe path for boats between the reef and the coast.
Islands of the Archipelago
The Colorados Archipelago is made up of many different islands and cays. Most of these islands are not home to people. However, they are important for wildlife and the environment. Here is a look at some of the main islands:
| Nr. 1) | Island | Capital | More Islands | Area (km²) |
Population (Census 2012 official) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banco Sancho Pardo | 0.1 | 0 | ||
| 2 | Cayo Alacranes | Punta Casiguas | Medano, Punta Alcaranes | 4.4 | 0 |
| 3 | Cayo Buenavista | Punta Del Oeste | Punta del este | 14.9 | 0 |
| 4 | Cayo Ines de Soto | Playuelas | La Pasa de la legua, Punta Brava, cayo redondo, Cayo Legua, cayo Pescador, Punta Hicacel, Cayo Prieto, Punta Boquerones | 6.23 | 0 |
| 5 | Cayo Jutías | Playa Santa Lucia | 4 | 0 | |
| 6 | Cayo Levisa | Cayo Levisa | Punta Bailarina, Playa Sur | 2.5 | 5 |
| 7 | Cayo Rapado Grande | Playa Cedro | Punta Vinagrera, Punta Remagillal, Punta Perche, La Playita | 5.47 | 0 |
| 8 | Cayos Punta Tabaco | Cayo diego | Cayo De Limones | 2.21 | 0 |
| 9 | More Islands | Cayo Curoita | Cayo Catalanes, Cayo Dios, Cayo Arenas, Cayo Cabezo Seco, Cayo Paraiso | 3.4 | 0 |
| Colorados Archipelago | pueblo Cayo Levisa | Cayo Jutias | 43.3 | 5 |
1) The Islands area and population data were collected after the 2012 census.
See also
In Spanish: Archipiélago de los Colorados para niños
- Geography of Cuba
- Antilles
