Corn Islands facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Corn Islands
Municipality
Map of the Corn Islands
Flag
Motto(s):  The Eden of the Caribbean of Nicaragua
Anthem: Corn Island song
Corn Islands Location in Nicaragua Show map of Nicaragua Corn Islands Location in Caribbean Show map of Caribbean
Country	Nicaragua
Region	South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region
Founded by	British
Seat	Brig Bay
Government
• Type	Mayor-council government
Area
• Total	5.0 sq mi (12.9 km2)
Elevation	371 ft (113 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	7,747
Time zone	Central Standard Time
Area code(s)	+505
Website	www.cornisland.gob.ni

The Corn Islands are two beautiful islands located about 70 kilometers (43 miles) east of Nicaragua's Caribbean coast. They form one of the 12 municipalities in Nicaragua's South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region. The official name of this area is Corn Island, even though Nicaragua is a Spanish-speaking country.

History of the Corn Islands

The first people to live on Corn Island were the Indigenous Kukras. Later, the Indigenous Miskitos, working with English buccaneers (who were like pirates), took over the island. The island was a useful stop for ships. They could get firewood and water there, fix their boats, and use it as a base for fishing.

Canon on display overlooking Brig Bay on Big Corn Island

In the mid-1700s, Puritan settlers from Britain arrived. They brought with them enslaved people from Africa. These settlers came from Jamaica and then Belize before reaching Nicaragua's Atlantic coast. The first settlers chose to live in the southeastern part of the island. This was because Quinn Hill offered a great view of the sea. From there, they could spot pirate ships coming towards "Insurance Harbor." This harbor was a safe place for boats to anchor and unload.

"Insurance Harbor" is also important because Colonel Alexander McDonald landed there on August 27, 1841. He was a British official from Belize. Colonel McDonald gathered the enslaved workers at South West Bay. He then declared them free from slavery. This was done in the name of Queen Victoria of Great Britain.

The Monumento de la Emancipación (Emancipation Monument) on Big Corn Island

After the English colonists settled, their culture began to mix with the local way of life. Many settlers came as adventurers looking for wealth. They stayed and had families with the enslaved people. This led to the creation of the Creole community on Corn Island. Over time, these descendants adopted English customs and traditions. This is how the unique Creole ethnic group of Corn Island developed.

Eleven years after slavery ended, on August 25, 1852, the first church and school were built. Reverend Edward Kelly from Belize founded the Ebenezer Baptist Church and School. He was the one who brought Christianity to the people of Corn Island.

From 1655 to 1894, Corn Island was part of the British Empire's protectorate. This area was known as the Mosquito Coast. Pirates often visited the islands during this time. In 1894, the government of Nicaragua took control of the area.

Later, in 1914, the islands were leased to the United States for 99 years. This was part of the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty. Under this agreement, the islands followed U.S. law, but Nicaragua still owned them. In 1940, Corn Island became a municipality (a local government area).

The United States had rights to use the islands until April 25, 1971. On that date, the agreement was officially canceled. This happened under the presidency of Anastasio Somoza Debayle. Before this, the municipality had a governor, not a mayor. Mayors used to be chosen by a community meeting. The first time all the people voted for their leaders was in the early 1900s.

Geography of the Corn Islands

The Corn Islands are made up of two main islands. The first is Great Corn Island, which is often just called Corn Island. It covers an area of 10 square kilometers (3.9 square miles). The second is Little Corn Island, which is smaller at 2.9 square kilometers (1.1 square miles). Together, they have a total area of 12.9 square kilometers (5 square miles).

A signpost on Big Corn Island

The highest point on Great Corn Island is Mount Pleasant Hill, in the north. It is 113 meters (371 feet) tall. Little Corn Island's highest point is Lookout Point, in its northern part, reaching 38 meters (125 feet).

Island Climate

The Corn Islands have a tropical rainforest climate. This means it's usually hot and rainy all year. There is a slightly drier time from February to April. However, rain still falls often during this period. For the rest of the year, it rains a lot, especially from May to January. This is because of the way the coast is shaped, which catches winds carrying rain.

People of the Corn Islands

In 2020, about 7,747 people lived on the islands. Most of the islanders are Creole people. They are of African descent and speak English. Some also have mixed Indigenous heritage.

Island Neighborhoods

The municipality of Corn Island is divided into six neighborhoods, called barrios. Five of these are on Great Corn Island. Little Corn Island makes up the sixth neighborhood.

Getting Around the Islands

Great Corn Island has a paved road that is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) long. It goes all around the island. Cars, motorbikes, and bicycles are the main ways people travel. Most cars are used as taxis. A ride for an adult costs 20 Cordobas (Nicaraguan currency). There is also a bus that goes around the island clockwise, costing 10 Cordobas.

A typical road surface on Big Corn Island

You can reach Little Corn Island by fast boats. These boats usually run three or four times a day from Great Corn Island, depending on the weather. There is also a small cargo ship from Southwest Bay on Great Corn Island. Little Corn Island has no motor vehicles. Because it's so small, everyone walks to get around.

Travel by Air

You can fly to Great Corn Island! La Costeña airline has flights from Managua or Bluefields. Planes arrive twice a day at Corn Island Airport.

Travel by Sea

You can also get to Great Corn Island by ferry or a small speedboat. These leave from the city of Bluefields every Wednesday and Saturday.

Island Economy and Tourism

For most of the 1900s, the economy of the Corn Islands was based on growing coconuts. In the 1960s and 1970s, commercial fishing became the main industry. This included lobster and shrimp fishing.

A bus shelter on the island, with a lobster statue on top

Recently, tourism has grown a lot in the region, and this has also helped the islands. The Corn Islands are now a popular place for visitors. They have many coral reefs around them, making them great for scuba diving and snorkeling. You can see amazing marine life around the islands. This includes barracudas, nurse sharks, hammerhead sharks, green sea turtles, and spotted eagle rays.

Sports on the Islands

Baseball is a very popular sport in the Corn Islands. The main place to play baseball is the Karen Tucker Baseball Stadium. Volleyball and Football are also sports that many islanders enjoy playing.

Island Food

The food on Corn Island is very diverse. Most dishes are made with seafood and local ingredients. Some typical dishes include crab soup, rondon (a stew), fried fish, and rice with shrimp.

Famous People

• Cheslor Cuthbert, a professional baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox.

Gallery

• 

  Coast of Little Corn Island

• 

  Aerial view of Corn Island

• 

  Long Bay, Corn Island

See also

In Spanish: Corn Island para niños