Here on this coral island, I want to tell you the story of San Andrés. It is an island full of surprises. San Andrés is part of Colombia. Yet it feels like a world apart.
San Andrés sits in the Caribbean Sea. It is about 750 km northwest of Colombia. Imagine a small island. It is only 13 km long and 3 km wide. Despite its size, San Andrés has a rich history and culture.
Before the Spanish arrived, the Miskitu people visited San Andrés. They called it Abakoa. They used it for hunting. Later, Christopher Columbus sailed by during his fourth voyage.
Pirates and settlers came to San Andrés. The Dutch arrived first. Then English Puritans came from Barbados and England in the 1600s. They grew cotton and tobacco. They also brought slaves from Jamaica.
The famous Welsh privateer Sir Henry Morgan used San Andrés as a base. He and his men attacked Spanish ships. They looted gold. Locals say treasure is still hidden in underwater caves.
Control of San Andrés shifted between England and Spain. In 1802, islanders asked to join the Viceroyalty of New Granada. Later, it became part of Gran Colombia in 1822.
In 1848, San Andrés became a free port. Slavery was abolished in 1851. A pastor named Philip Beekman Livingston led a literacy movement.
The United States once wanted San Andrés. In 1902, US commissioners asked the island to join Panama. But islanders refused. They were loyal to Colombia.
During World War II, a German submarine sank a Colombian boat. The boat carried British troops to San Andrés. In 1953, President Gustavo Rojas Pinilla reaffirmed San Andrés as a free port.
San Andrés is now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It protects marine life in the Caribbean Sea. The island has coral reefs and diverse wildlife.
The capital of the department is also named San Andrés. People often call it El Centro. It is the island’s main urban center. A 30 km road circles the island. It passes beaches, reefs, and coves.
The climate in San Andrés is tropical. Temperatures range from 24°C to 30°C. The rainy season lasts from May to January.
San Andrés is home to diverse flora and fauna. Mangrove forests are vital to the island’s ecosystem. The San Andres vireo is an endangered bird.
San Andrés has several settlements. El Centro is the main town. La Loma is a traditional village with a historic Baptist Church. Saint Louis is a tourist town on the eastern coast.
The culture is a mix of Afro-Caribbean and Latin American. Many people speak Spanish, English, and Creole. Local music includes calypso, soca, and reggae.
San Andrés offers many attractions. Johnny Cay is a small coral islet. Haynes Cay is popular for water sports. El Acuario is a snorkeling center. La Piscinita is a natural pool. Morgan’s Cave is linked to pirate legends.
Horse racing and cockfighting are popular sports. The Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport connects the island to the world.
San Andrés is more than just a beautiful island. It has a vibrant history. It is a blend of cultures. It is a place of natural beauty. As you explore San Andrés, remember its past. See its present. Appreciate its unique spirit.