Pearl Islands facts for kids
The Pearl Islands (also known as Archipiélago de las Perlas in Spanish) are a group of over 200 islands and tiny islets. Many of them are very small and no one lives on them. They are located about 30 miles (48 km) off the Pacific coast of Panama, in the Gulf of Panama.
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Discovering the Islands
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One of the most famous islands is Contadora Island. It is well-known for its beautiful resorts. Long ago, Spanish explorers called conquistadors used Contadora as a place to count their treasures before sailing back to Spain. That's how it got its name, as contador means "counter" or "bookkeeper" in Spanish.
Today, Contadora is a popular resort island. Many wealthy Panamanians own homes there. There is also a large hotel and other places to stay. Most of the people who work at the resorts live on the nearby island of Saboga. In 1979, the Shah of Iran, a former ruler, even stayed on Isla Contadora for a short time. You can fly to Contadora and Isla San José from Panama City with daily flights.
Isla del Rey: The King's Island
The biggest island in the group is Isla del Rey, which means "Island of the King." It is about 234 square kilometers (90 square miles) in size. This name likely refers to Christ the King, not a human king. Isla del Rey has several towns, with San Miguel being the most important. This island is much larger than all the other Pearl Islands put together. It is also the second largest island in Panama, after Coiba.
Other Islands to Explore
There are many other islands in the Pearl Islands archipelago. Some of these include Bolano Island, Buena Vista Island, Cana Island, Casaya Island, Chapera Island, and Chitre Island. You can also find Cocos Island, Espiritu Santo Island, Galera Island, Gallo Island, Isla Gibraleón, and Isla Bayoneta. Other islands are Lampon Island, Marin Island, Mina Island, Mogo Mogo o Pajaro, Pacheca Island, Pachequille Island, Pedro Gonzalez Island, Puerco Island, Isla San José, Senora Island, Vivenda Island, and Viveros Island.
Galera Island has tall coconut palm trees and a white sandy beach. However, strong ocean currents and hidden reefs make it tricky to sail close to this island.
A Look Back in Time
About three million years ago, a land bridge called the Isthmus of Panama was formed. Before this, North and South America were separated by the sea. This was a huge event in Earth's history. As the Earth's plates slowly joined, the Pearl Islands were created and rose out of the sea.
People lived on these islands long before Europeans arrived. Ancient artifacts have been found on Contadora Island and other islands in the group. On Isla del Rey, which is the largest island, more than fifteen ancient sites have been found. These sites show evidence of the "Cuevas" and "Cocle" cultures. Sadly, none of the original native people live on the islands today.
The Arrival of Europeans
In 1513, a Spanish explorer named Vasco Núñez de Balboa discovered the islands. He named them the Pearl Islands because so many beautiful pearls were found there. However, the Spanish treated the native people very harshly, which led to their disappearance. To continue gathering pearls, the Spanish brought enslaved people from Africa in the 1500s. The descendants of these African people now live on the islands, especially on Isla del Rey.
For many years, pirates often used the islands as a hideout. The islands remained mostly peaceful until the 1960s and 1970s. That's when resorts, like the one on Contadora, began to be built.
Protecting the Islands
The Chamber for Sustainable Tourism Las Perlas is an organization that works to protect the islands. Their goal is to keep the islands' delicate natural balance healthy and safe for the future.
Pearl Islands on TV
The Pearl Islands are a very popular spot for reality TV shows. The famous show Survivor has filmed many seasons there. The American version of Survivor had three seasons on the islands: Survivor: Pearl Islands, Survivor: All-Stars, and Survivor: Panama.
Other versions of Survivor from different countries have also used the islands. These include the Israeli version (Survivor: Pearl Islands), Survivor South Africa (Survivor South Africa: Panama), and the French edition (Koh-Lanta: Panama). The Bulgarian version (Survivor BG: Pearl Islands) and Ukrainian versions of the show were also filmed on the islands.
Other TV programs have used the Pearl Islands too. The BBC TV series The Real Swiss Family Robinson and the British TV series The Island with Bear Grylls filmed on Isla Gibraleón and Isla San Telmo. The Dutch TV series Adam Looking for Eve used Mogo Mogo Island as a location. The third season of The Challenge: All Stars had its final challenge on San José Island.
See also
In Spanish: Archipiélago de las Perlas para niños
- Contadora Group
