Chacachacare
Chacachacare island, with the Paria Peninsula in Venezuela in the background
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 Chacachacare
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| Geography | |
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| Total islands | 1 |
| Area | 3.642 km2 (1.406 sq mi) |
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Trinidad and Tobago
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| Demographics | |
| Population | Minor for operation of a Lighthouse and Radar station (2015) |
Chacachacare Lighthouse in 1910
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 Trinidad and Tobago
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| Location | Chacachacare Trinidad and Tobago |
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| Coordinates | 10°41′56.6″N 61°45′09.6″W / 10.699056°N 61.752667°W |
| Year first constructed | 1897 |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, red lantern |
| Height | 15 metres (49 ft) |
| Focal height | 251 metres (823 ft) |
| Light source | mains power |
| Range | 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s. |
| Admiralty number | J5846 |
| NGA number | 16256 |
| ARLHS number | TRI-002 |
| Managing agent | Chaguaramas National Park |
Chacachacare is an island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, located at 10° 41' north latitude and 61° 45' west longitude. The island is 3.642 km² (900 acres) in area. It is one of the Bocas Islands, which lie in the Bocas del Dragón (Dragons' Mouth) between Trinidad and Venezuela. Chacachacare is the westernmost of the Bocas Islands which belong to Trinidad and Tobago. Patos Island, which lies further west, was part of Trinidad and Tobago until 1942, when it was ceded to Venezuela.
It was originally named El Caracol (the Snail) by Christopher Columbus because of its shape. At various times in its history Chacachacare has served as a cotton plantation, a whaling station and a leper colony.
"Chacachacare, at the west of the first Boca, is horseshoe shaped and very hilly. The hills slope towards the inside of the horseshoe. At the junction of the arms of the horseshoe, the land is flat and marshy. At times of spring tides or in rough weather the sea often passes over the isthmus. Boats can be hauled from calm water on the east to La Tinta, so called on account of the colour of the sand, which is black, the water being clear, but the sand beneath it makes it look black.
In 1791, there were many people living on this island, cultivating ground provisions and sugar apples (Annona squamosa). During the time of slavery large quantities of cotton were grown, which after emancipation was abandoned. Later, when the price of cotton was very high, the industry was re-established by Messrs. Gerold and Urich. There were also three or four whaling stations carried on by Messrs. Gerold and Urich, Tardieu and F. Urich and Partners.
Looking across the Boca Grande there is a view of the Venezuelan mountains eight miles [12.9 km] away. On a clear day they appear to be much closer. On the land side of the bay there is a fringe of deadly Manchineel tree [(Hippomane mancinella)]. Tall cacti and aloes grow on the cliffs on the southern shore. There is a pebbly beach—Bande de Sud—inside which there is a lagoon from what in the early days the islanders attempted to extract salt.
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Wikipedia