Islets of Granada facts for kids

The Islets of Granada (in Spanish: Isletas de Granada) are a group of tiny islands found in Lake Nicaragua. They are located near the city of Granada in Nicaragua. There are about 365 of these small islands, spread out near the Asese peninsula.

These islands were formed a very long time ago by a volcano! The Mombacho volcano erupted, sending a lot of its top into the lake. This created the many small islands we see today. Most of the islets are covered with plants and are home to many different kinds of birds.

People live on many of these islets. Some islands are owned by families who have homes or vacation houses there. You can also find hotels and shops on some of the islets. Visitors can enjoy boat tours to explore the islands.

Protecting Granada: San Pablo Fort

The fort of San Pablo stands on one of the Islets of Granada. This fort was built in the 1700s. Its main job was to protect the city of Granada from pirates. During the time when Nicaragua was a colony, the San Pablo Fort saw many battles and conflicts.

Changes and Challenges for Islet Residents

For many years, families have lived on the Islets of Granada. However, in the 1990s, some residents faced big changes. They had to move from their homes on the islands to the mainland.

Land Ownership During the Somoza Era

During the time of the Somoza family's rule, which was a type of government where one family had complete control, members of their army forced many local people to sell their islands. If people refused to sell, they risked being made to leave their homes.

Returning Land After the Revolution

After the Sandinista revolution, many of these islands were given back to their original owners. However, by 1990, when the Sandinistas lost power in an election, many residents still did not have official papers for their land.

Through the court system, the islands were then returned to the families of the original army members who had taken them. Today, some of these islands have been sold to wealthy people from Nicaragua and other countries. This has created an uncertain future for the local Nicaraguans who have traditionally lived on the islands and the nearby land.

See also

In Spanish: Isletas de Granada para niños