Saona Island facts for kids
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Native name:
Isla Saona
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Saona Island
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 Saona Island, La Altagracia
Location in the Dominican Republic
Saona Island (Dominican Republic)
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| Geography | |
| Location | Caribbean Sea |
| Coordinates | 18°09′20″N 68°41′58″W / 18.15556°N 68.69944°W |
| Area | 110 km2 (42 sq mi) |
| Length | 25 km (15.5 mi) |
| Width | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Coastline | 47 km (29.2 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 35 m (115 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Province | La Altagracia |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 300 |
| Pop. density | 2.73 /km2 (7.07 /sq mi) |
Saona Island (Spanish: Isla Saona) is a beautiful tropical island. It's about 110 square kilometers big. You can find it off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, in the La Altagracia area. This island is a special nature reserve, protected by the government. It's part of a bigger area called Parque Nacional Cotubanamá.
There are two small towns on the island where people live all the time. These are Mano Juan and Catuano. Mano Juan is a fishing village with wooden houses. Catuano beach has a small navy outpost.
Saona Island is a very popular place for tourists. Many visitors come from all over the Dominican Republic. They arrive on large catamarans and small motorboats every day. The island is famous for its amazing beaches. Filmmakers and advertisers often use it as a perfect "deserted island" setting.
Some famous movies filmed here include Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) and The Blue Lagoon.
Contents
Island History: How Saona Got Its Name
The name Saona might come from an old language called Macoris. Some experts think it means "full of bats." However, most people agree that Christopher Columbus named the island.
Columbus landed on Saona Island in May 1494. This was during his second trip to the Americas. He named it "Saona" to honor his friend, Michele da Cuneo. Michele was from a city called Savona in Italy. Columbus even made Michele da Cuneo the first governor of the island.
Around the year 1500, the Taino people living on the island grew a lot of cassava. They sent most of it to the city of Santo Domingo.
Saona Island and Savona in Italy are still like twin cities. They have a special friendship. For example, the small power plant on Saona Island was a gift from Savona.
Exploring Saona's Geography
The waters around Saona Island are full of amazing wildlife. You can find many kinds of birds and colorful tropical marine fish here. There are also large areas of natural sandbars offshore. These make the water very shallow, sometimes only a few feet deep.
Smaller speed boats often stop for tourists in these shallow areas. Visitors can relax in the waist-deep water. They can also snorkel and look for starfish. These starfish live naturally in this region.
Close to Saona Island, there are beautiful coral reef systems. These reefs have many different kinds of sea creatures. They are a great spot for people who love to snorkel and scuba dive.
Plants and Animals of Saona Island
The Cotubanamá National Park, which includes Saona Island, has 539 types of plants. These plants are found in different natural areas. This includes wild bushes, mangroves, and forests that are semi-humid or salty.
Along the Catuano Channel, you can find four types of neotropical mangrove trees. These are Red, White, Black, and Button Mangrove.
Birds of Saona Island
There are 112 different kinds of birds on the island. Some of the most common ones are Brown Pelicans and Magnificent Frigatebirds. You can also see Flamingos, Seagulls, and the special Hispaniolan Parrots. Another interesting bird is the Red-footed Booby.
Sea Life Around Saona
In the Caribbean Sea around Saona Island, you can find many sea creatures. There are 40 types of fish, 10 kinds of coral, and 124 types of mollusks. Some notable animals include green sea turtles and loggerhead sea turtles. You might also spot manatees, bottle-nose dolphins, rhinoceros iguanas, and octopus.
If you like to go fishing near Saona Island, the best time is in spring and summer. The water is warmer then, and the fish are more active. You can often catch Barracuda and Kingfish. Sometimes, you might even catch a Sailfish!
Tourism and Fun Activities
Saona Island is one of the most visited places in the Dominican Republic. Over 1 million people visit each year! The island offers many fun things to do. You can relax and sunbathe on the beautiful turquoise beaches. Or, you can try more exciting activities like snorkeling.
Here are some popular activities you can do on Saona Island:
- Relaxing on the stunning beaches.
- Snorkeling in the clear, shallow waters.
- Exploring the natural sandbars.
- Visiting the small fishing village of Mano Juan.
- Taking boat trips around the island.
Saona Island is the most visited protected area in the Dominican Republic. In 2019, it received 45% of all visits to protected areas in the country.
See also
- List of islands of the Dominican Republic
- In Spanish: Isla Saona para niños
