Isla del Rey, Panama facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Isla del Rey is the largest island in the Pearl Islands. These islands are found in the Gulf of Panama. Isla del Rey covers an area of 234 square kilometres (90 sq mi). In 2000, about 1,676 people lived there.

The island's name, Isla del Rey, likely refers to "Christ the King." It is not usually linked to a worldly king. Isla del Rey is home to four main towns. These are San Miguel (with 967 people), La Esmeralda (524 people), La Ensenada (94 people), and La Guinea (83 people). This island is bigger than all the other Pearl Islands put together. It is also the second largest island in Panama, right after Coiba.

Discovering Isla del Rey

The first European to see Isla del Rey was Vasco Núñez de Balboa. This happened in October 1513. He saw the island during his first trip to the Pacific Ocean. Balboa could only see the islands from far away. Bad weather stopped his canoes from landing there. He decided to name the island Isla Rica, which means "Rich Island."

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