Margarita Island (Colombia) facts for kids
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 Margarita Island
Location in Bolívar Department
Margarita Island
Location in Colombia
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Magdalena River |
| Coordinates | 9°5′2″N 74°30′0″W / 9.08389°N 74.50000°W |
| Area | 2,200 km2 (850 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Department | Bolívar Department |
Margarita Island, also known as Mompox Island, is a very large island located in the Magdalena River in Colombia. It's found near the town of Mompos. This island is part of the Bolívar Department, close to the border of the Magdalena Department in northern Colombia.
Margarita Island is huge! It covers an area of about 2,100 to 2,200 square kilometers. This makes it the largest island in Colombia. It's also the fourth largest river island in the entire world. The only river islands bigger than Margarita are Marajo, Bananal, and Tupinambarana, all located in Brazil. In 2008, about 117,210 people lived on Margarita Island.
Contents
Where is Margarita Island?
Margarita Island is located in a special area called the Depresión Momposina, which is a basin where sediments collect. The island is about 40 kilometers wide and 90 kilometers long. It has a shape that is almost like a rectangle.
The size of the island can change a bit with the tides of the river. It sits right where the Cauca River and the Magdalena River meet. The highest point on Margarita Island is about 20 meters above sea level.
Swamps and Waterways
Margarita Island has many small swamps, which are wet, marshy areas. These swamps are important for the island's environment. Some of these swamps include:
- Ciénaga Bochica
- Ciénaga Pajaral
- Ciénaga De Lona
- Ciénaga El Medio
- Ciénaga Ancon
- Ciénaga Florida
- Ciénaga Grande
- Ciénaga Robles
- Ciénaga El Uvero
- Ciénaga El Cacao
- Ciénaga El Cucharal
- Ciénaga El Palmar (also known as Ciénaga Gualamito)
There are also other smaller river islands located nearby Margarita Island.
Towns and People
Margarita Island is divided into six different areas, which are called municipalities. The largest of these is Santa Cruz de Mompox. This municipality covers more than a third of the island's land. It also has more than three-sevenths of the island's population. Mompox is the main economic center for the island.
The other five municipalities on the island are:
Together, these municipalities form a sub-region of the Bolívar department. In 2008, the island was home to about 117,000 people. Other smaller towns and places on the island include Patico, Guasimal, Santa Rosa, Pinillos, and La Victoria.
Nearby Cities
On the mainland, just north of Margarita Island, is the city of Magangu. This city is an important financial center for the Bolívar region. To the east of the island, you can find the town of El Banco. The Magdalena Department is located immediately northeast of the island. The Sucre Department is about 5 kilometers to the west, and the Cesar Department is about 10 kilometers to the east.
Plants and Animals
The plant life on Margarita Island is mostly made up of mangroves. These are special trees and shrubs that grow in salty or brackish water. Another common plant found here is Capsicum frutescens, which is a type of chili pepper plant.
The waters around Margarita Island are home to many different kinds of fish. Some of the fish families found here include Gerreidae (also known as Mojarras) and the genus Polymixia (which are Beardfish). A specific type of fish called Prochilodus magdalenae is also found in these waters.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Margarita (Colombia) para niños
