Isla Palenque facts for kids
Isla Palenque is a beautiful island found off the western Pacific Ocean coast of Panama. It's close to the border of Costa Rica, inside the Gulf of Chiriquí. Another island, Boca Brava, is just north of Isla Palenque. They are connected by a natural land bridge called a tombolo.
This island is about 400 acres (1.6 km2) big. It has about 5 miles (8.0 km) of coastline and more than 1-mile (1.6 km) of sandy beaches. Most of Isla Palenque is covered in thick tropical forests. You can also find other cool natural areas like mangrove swamps, calm lagoons, and special forests along the coast.
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The History of Isla Palenque
What is a Palenque?
The word "palenque" first meant a safe place for people who had escaped slavery. During the time when Spain ruled Central America, many local people were forced to work in Spanish mines. Those who managed to escape would look for safe spots. They often built strong fences, called palisades, around these places to protect them. These protected areas were known as palenques.
Isla Palenque has had this name for a very long time, as far back as old maps show. This suggests it might have been used as a safe haven for people escaping during the colonial period. It's even possible it was a refuge much earlier than that.
Ancient Life on the Island
Research by Olga F. Linares shows that Isla Palenque has always been an important place for people. It was home to an ancient farming community long before Christopher Columbus arrived. This community lived on the island sometime between 500 AD and 1400 AD. Some clues even suggest people might have lived there as far back as 5,000 BC!
The island became a very special and holy place for important ceremonies. Different tribes from all over the area would come to Isla Palenque to worship. Important tribal leaders would also meet here to talk and trade goods. This made the island a main center for culture and business in the region. By the time the colonial period began, this ancient community had disappeared. They left behind just enough clues to make us curious about their lives and the island's long history.
Modern Development
In 2010, work began on building a special eco-resort on the island. This resort was designed to be friendly to the environment. The first rooms of the resort opened in early 2012.
Animals and Plants of Isla Palenque
Isla Palenque has many different types of land and natural areas. Because of this, it is home to a huge variety of plants and animals.
Mammals on the Island
At least eight groups of howler monkeys live on Isla Palenque. Other mammals found here include the northern tamandua (a type of anteater), the nine-banded armadillo, and the white-nosed coati. You might also spot a crab-eating raccoon, an agouti, a woolly opossum, or a Mexican hairy dwarf porcupine. There are also different kinds of rabbits, squirrels, and mice. Researchers have not yet seen a margay (a wild cat), but they have found signs like paw prints and marks in trees.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Large reptiles living on the island include the bright green emerald basilisk lizard, the black ctenosaur, and the green iguana. You can also find the spectacled caiman, which is a type of small alligator. Many different kinds of frogs, salamanders, lizards, and snakes also live on the island.
Birds of Isla Palenque
A wide variety of tropical birds either live on the island or stop there during their long migrations. You can see colorful toucans and parrots. There are also woodpeckers, large frigatebirds, hawks, and owls. Many different types of tiny hummingbirds also call the island home.
Isla Palenque's Climate
The weather on Isla Palenque stays pretty much the same all year round. During the day, temperatures usually reach about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). At night, it cools down to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
Like most of Panama, Isla Palenque has two main seasons. The rainy season lasts from May through November. The dry season runs from December through April. During most of the rainy season, it usually rains for just a few hours in the afternoon. However, in October and November, the rains can become very heavy and last for longer periods.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Palenque para niños
- Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park
