Isla Bastimentos
| Bastimentos | |
|---|---|
| Corregimiento and town | |
 |
|
 Bastimentos
|
|
| Coordinates: 9°21′N 82°12′W / 9.350°N 82.200°WCoordinates: 9°21′N 82°12′W / 9.350°N 82.200°W | |
| Country |
 Panama
|
| Province | Bocas del Toro |
| District | Bocas del Toro |
| Area | |
| • Land | 62.2 km2 (24.0 sq mi) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,954 |
| • Density | 31.4/km2 (81/sq mi) |
| Population density calculated based on land area. | |
| Time zone | ETZ (UTC-5) |
Bastimentos Island (in Spanish: Isla Bastimentos) is an island with eponymous town, and corregimiento located in the Bocas del Toro District and archipelage of Bocas del Toro Province, Panama. The island is about 62 square kilometres (24 sq mi), one of the largest in Panama. Bastimentos had a population of 1,954 as of 2010[update], giving it a population density of 31.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (81/sq mi). Its population as of 1990 was 988; its population as of 2000 was 1,344.
Often considered the more relaxed alternative to the busy streets and bars of Bocas del Toro District but at only 10 minutes by water taxi Isla Bastimentos is becoming an increasingly popular destination for backpackers. Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park and the Red Frog Island Resort's Nature Preserve encompass a large portion of Bastimentos Island, Zapatilla Cays, as well as the waters and mangroves that surround the island. The western tip of the island, better known as Bastimentos, is clearly visible from Bocas town, and is not part of the National Park itself. There are several private residences here.
Christopher Columbus landed his boat here in 1502 on his 4th voyage and called the island Bastimentos which means "provisions." In 1727 the coast here witnessed the demise from tropical disease of much of the fleet of Francis Hosier. It is estimated that more than 4000 out of the 4750 men and officers who sailed with Hosier during the three-year expedition perished on the voyage.
The terrain of the island is rather hilly. There are some lava rock outcroppings.
The north eastern side of Bastimentos Island faces the Caribbean Sea. Five beaches are found here along with stretches of cove inlets and coral reef. These beaches are: Wizard Beach, Red Frog Beach, Turtle Beach, North Beach and Playa Larga. The south western side of the island has a mangrove coastline with very calm water year round. The landscape is much more dramatic, with large rock faces, stretches of long beaches, in addition to coves and inlets. Most tourists take a 15-minute water taxi ride from Bocas Town to the south side of Bastimentos and walk across the island to Red Frog Beach.
...
Wikipedia