Gran Roque Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Gran Roque
Geography
Gran Roque Island
Gran Roque Location in Venezuela Show map of Venezuela Gran Roque Location in Caribbean Show map of Caribbean
Location	Lesser Antilles Caribbean Sea
Coordinates	11°57′00″N 66°40′36″W / 11.95000°N 66.67667°W / 11.95000; -66.67667
Archipelago	Los Roques
Administration
Venezuela
Federal Entity	Federal dependencies of Venezuela
Demographics
Population	3.100

Gran Roque is a small but important island in Venezuela. It's part of the Los Roques archipelago, a beautiful group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. Most people living in Los Roques call Gran Roque home. It's also where the main airport is, right by the beach!

This island is one of the federal dependencies of Venezuela. It covers about 1.7 square kilometers (or 170 hectares).

Island History
Island Geography
How Gran Roque is Governed
Island Images
See also

Island History

Gran Roque has a long history! It appeared on Spanish maps a long time ago, as part of the Captaincy General of Venezuela. This was how Spain organized its lands in this region.

Later, during the government of Antonio Guzman Blanco, it became part of something called the Colón Territory. In the 1900s, it was included in the Federal Dependencies.

In the 1990s, Gran Roque became the main office for the area's authority. This authority was later replaced by the Insular Territory Miranda in 2011. The local airport was also updated in 2019.

Island Geography

Gran Roque is about 1.7 square kilometers (170 hectares) in size. It is located in the northeastern part of the Los Roques archipelago.

The island's highest point is a hill called Cerro Roque, which is 37 meters (about 121 feet) above sea level. The island has a shape like a right triangle. Its longest part stretches about 3.15 kilometers from southeast to northwest.

How Gran Roque is Governed

Gran Roque is very important because it is the capital of Venezuela's Federal Dependencies. It is also the main center for the Insular Miranda Territory.

This island is home to many inns, the airport, and the local school. It used to be the main office for the Single Area Authority (AUA).

Gran Roque is special because it doesn't belong to any state or city government. Instead, the central government of Venezuela manages it directly. This system was set up in 2011.