Jardines de la Reina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jardines de la Reina |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category II (National Park)
|
|
 Jardines de la Reina
Location in Cuba
|
|
| Location |  Cuba |
| Nearest city | Santa Cruz del Sur |
| Area | 2,170 km2 (840 sq mi) |
Jardines de la Reina, also known as the Gardens of the Queen, is a beautiful group of islands in the southern part of Cuba. It's located in the provinces of Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila.
This special place was named by Christopher Columbus to honor Queen Isabella I of Castile of Spain. Since 1996, a large part of these islands has been a protected marine reserve. In 2010, Jardines de la Reina officially became a national park, known in Spanish as Parque Nacional Jardines de la Reina. It covers a huge area of 2,170 km2 (840 sq mi), making it one of Cuba's biggest protected natural areas.
Contents
Geography of the Gardens of the Queen
These islands are found in the Caribbean Sea. They are located between the Gulf of Ana Maria to the north-west and the Gulf of Guacanayabo to the south. The islands stretch for about 150 km (93 mi) along the Cuban coast.
Jardines de la Reina is Cuba's second-largest group of islands, right after Jardines del Rey. It is made up of more than 600 small islands and cays. Some of the well-known cays include Cayo Breton, Cayo Anclitas, Cayo Algodon Grande, and Cayos Granada. A part of this area is also called the Laberinto de las Doce Leguas, which means "The Labyrinth of the Twelve Leagues."
Amazing Marine Life and Fishing
Jardines de la Reina is a very popular spot for both diving and sport fishing. To protect the amazing marine life, only "catch and release" fly-fishing is allowed in the park. This means you catch the fish, but then you let it go back into the water. There's also a small, carefully managed lobster fishery here.
Many different kinds of fish live in these waters. You can find Cubera snapper, Bonefish, Yellowfin grouper, and Black grouper. The giant Atlantic goliath grouper also calls this place home. You might even spot the large Caribbean conch, called Strombus gigas, and the gentle Whale shark.
Diving Adventures in Jardines de la Reina
Diving in Jardines de la Reina is an incredible experience. The underwater world is full of amazing sights like deep canyons, tall pinnacles, and hidden caves. The coral reefs are very healthy, covered with colorful mangroves, sponges, and black corals.
This area is famous for its many sharks, especially silky sharks and Caribbean reef sharks. If you're feeling brave, you can even snorkel with crocodiles in the winding mangrove channels! It's a truly unique place to explore the ocean.
See also
- Geography of Cuba
- Jardines del Rey
