Corn Islands
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The Corn Islands (Spanish: Las Islas del Maíz) are two islands about 70 km east off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, in the Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur department. The islands are Big Corn Island (Isla Grande del Maíz; often simply referred to as Corn Island, Isla del Maíz) and Little Corn Island (Isla Pequeña del Maíz).
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[edit] Culture
The islands are inhabited by a population of around 8000 people. [1] Many of the inhabitants are Garifunas. Both English and Spanish are widely spoken on the islands. Some Amerindian Miskito people, who speak the Miskito language, also inhabit the islands.
[edit] History
The Corn Islands, along with the eastern half of present-day Nicaragua, was a British protectorate from 1655 until 1894, a period when the region was called the Mosquito Coast. At one time, the islands were frequented by Caribbean pirates. In 1894, the Nicaraguan government claimed the area. The islands were given to the United States for a 99-year lease under the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty of 1914. The terms of the lease made the Corn Islands subject to American law, but they remained Nicaraguan territory. With American acquiescence, the Nicaraguan government directed the islands' local administration. The U.S.'s right to the actual or potential use of the islands remained until April 25, 1971, when the lease was officially terminated under the Convention of Managua of July 14, 1970.
[edit] Transportation
There are several methods of transportation available on Big Corn Island, it has a paved road of about 12km long which reach runs through the whole island. People use taxis, cars, and even bicycles to get around the island.
The Corn Islands are about 70 km away from Bluefields. Big Corn Island can be reached by a ferry that departs once a week from El Rama through the Escondido River. They can also be reached via Managua by plane. Little Corn Island is only accessible by a ferry that departs from Big Corn Island.
[edit] Economy and tourism
Throughout most of the 20th century the economy revolved around coconut production. During the 1960s and 1970s, commercial fishing as well as lobster and shrimp fishing, became the main industry. The recent growth in tourism throughout the region, however, has also affected the islands. Tourism on the islands has grown considerably, with its many surrounding coral reefs making it a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Barracudas, nurse sharks, green sea turtles, and spotted eagle rays are some of the marine life that can be seen around the islands. [2]
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